We believe the best stories don’t just appear – they’re built with care, curiosity and connection. Behind every piece we publish is a process that blends research, interviews and reflection with the creativity of our storytellers. To give you a look behind the curtain, we sat down with one of our team members, Austin Siragusa, to learn more about how he approaches a story from start to finish.
Austin is the lead storyteller managing the “Developing Stories” blog, which we produce in partnership with the local used camera store and film lab Camera Exposure / Safelight Labs.
When Austin began his recent feature on San Diego photographer Israel Castillo, the project was already buzzing with potential. Israel’s photo series, Among the Supporters, captures the culture and camaraderie of San Diego FC tailgates – not just as pre-game rituals, but as modern-day gathering spaces where people from all walks of life connect.
As Austin put it, “Israel Castillo is Mister Rogers equipped with a Hasselblad camera.” He doesn’t just document fans, he uncovers the cultural exchange alive at Snapdragon Stadium, and the unifying power of a soccer club in San Diego.
So how does a feature like this come to life? Austin walked us through his process:
Finding the story. Each story begins with identifying someone in the community we can spotlight and discussing internally why we’re drawn to their work. We find photographers by attending photo events, checking in with sources in the photo world, through inbound referral and by scouring social media.
Build connection first. Before writing a word, Austin schedules a pre-interview to establish rapport and get a feel for themes and approaches to the article. With Israel, that conversation surfaced the idea of launching his new project through the feature.
Let the visuals guide the words. Once images arrive, Austin uses them to shape questions and structure the story. The photos don’t just illustrate the piece – they help direct the narrative. (Editor’s note: This part of the process is a significant aspect of what makes this work stand out. Newsrooms across the country that have adopted this type of storytelling provide rich experiences for readers.)
Research deeply. Beyond the interview, Austin dives into the cultural context: the subcultures, the city’s history, and the social threads that make the work resonate. He can regularly be found delving deeply into a niche documentary or reading through historical documents to gain a fuller understanding of a topic before explaining it to readers.
Empower the subject. Ultimately, the goal is to elevate artists and storytellers themselves, creating space for their work to speak within a broader cultural dialogue.
For Austin, one of the most powerful takeaways from this project was the way Israel framed tailgates as a “third place” — not home, not work, but somewhere people gather to connect and belong. At a time when divisions often dominate headlines, seeing soccer fans form a community rooted in joy and togetherness was both unexpected and deeply affirming.
Like many storytelling processes, the work isn’t without its challenges. Trust with story subjects is earned over time, and writing about someone else’s passions requires clarity, confidence and humility. Coordinating schedules and responses can mean long stretches of waiting. But for Austin, that patience pays off when the final piece comes together — and when he steps back to realize he’s documented more than 15 photographers in San Diego since last October alone.
The result? A collection of stories that not only celebrate a growing film scene but also illuminate the cultural and social textures of San Diego.
Austin’s process is a reflection of what makes Uptown 11’s storytelling unique: we don’t “produce content,” we report stories and connect with real people. By investing in relationships, weaving cultural context and amplifying voices, we build stories that are both intimate and expansive.
As Austin continues to spotlight local artists and projects, his work reminds us of what’s at the heart of storytelling: finding the threads that tie us together and sharing them with the world.
Want to dive deeper into Israel Castillo’s work? Check out the full write-up on the Developing Stories blog and watch the short film we produced that captures Israel’s energy.
