Waldo Nilo was born in Santiago, Chile, and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1963. While in Vietnam, Nilo sent about 20 rolls of film to the San Clemente Sun Post where they published a two-page photo essay— most of the photographs on display. As a result, Nilo was transferred to the Photo Unit. While serving as a US Marine Combat Photographer, he received a Navy Achievement Medal and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corp, he attended UC Berkeley to study cinematography. He created a variety of art related publications including Arte (a political art magazine), Banana (a Hollywood based monthly tabloid from the early 80’s), and Oranges (an Orange county based monthly entertainment tabloid). 

In 1986, Nilo began working for the Times Advocate, which eventually became theNorth County Times. This is his 20th year as a photojournalist in North County San Diego