Meet Jennifer Castillo | Action and lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, how do you think about risk?
Risk is an opportunity to improve but is also necessary to grow. I believe everything has risk. If you want to make change, there is risk but also not making a change can be risky. You have to evaluate the risk with every decision you make in life not just business. When I started Photography full time it was scary, and it felt risky, I have a family I have to support. I had all of the intrusive thoughts, “will I make it?” “Am I good enough?” “Will I be able to pay the bills?” In the end it came down to realizing that the risk of not taking the jump was my happiness. I was risking going the easy route because it was easy working for someone else, having less responsibility, but it was not fulling my creative soul. That was a risk I was not willing to keep taking. My kids needed to see me loving what I do, I needed to set that example for them. I wanted them to see that taking the jump into something that is scary is rewarding even if it’s risky. My career has taken a beautiful turn and I’m now able to be present in my kids’ lives and activities. I’m helping families save memories and none of it would have been possible without taking the risk and jumping in.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love taking photos of the action. I’m usually at a baseball field or at the hockey rink. I love being able to give parents those photos they want but can’t always get on their own. I’m different because I do look at my art the way a proud parent would. I always strive to get those shoots that parents brag about and share because “that’s my kid.” I wanted those for my kids and it was not something I could get from a photographer in my area. I picked up a camera to do just that. I started taking photos of my daughter’s softball team then I added hockey and now I photograph everything I can. I’m still a new business as I have just really started charging for my work. I never expected that charging for my work would bring out my imposter syndrome so much, but it is the hardest thing I deal with. Comparison is the thief of joy and I have found it to be so true. I have to remind myself that photography is art and my style is just that my style. I have also learned that my time is worth something and not to do things for nothing, we have to pay our bills. I want to keep growing and getting better at my craft, I want more parents to have those amazing photos of their kids doing the things they love!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in New Mexico and I think we are so lucky to have those amazing mountains as well as the beauty of the desert. I love taking people up to Santa Fe to visit the plaza. It is home to Loretto Chapel, and it is one of the most beautiful chapels, but the story of the staircase is memorizing. Then we would go to one of the many restaurants and rooftop cantinas and the art galleries really can’t be beat in Santa Fe, you can spend all day looking through them. A trip to Santa Fe wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Meow Wolf, it is an interactive art exhibit that you can spend hours exploring! Old town in Albuquerque is a perfect place to sit and people watch on the weekends. It is always busy, and you get such a true New Mexican experience there. You can taste the wine from the different local wineries and visit the distilleries and get some tacos at on the different restaurants. There are always local artisans selling their art around the square. White sands is a must see when visiting New Mexico even in the hot summer the sand stays nice cool. and on your back from white sands stop in Chorizozo for some of their cherry cider it is the best. You can spend the day exploring the Sandia Mountains then take the world’s longest tramway up to the top to grab a drink at the restaurant with the best views of the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Denise Husted is a photographer in New Mexico and she has always been helpful to left me up. She is a woman that helps left up those around her and I will forever be grateful for her. I have learned so much from the sports photography groups on Facebook they are always there for ideas and will to give critics to help you become better.

Website: https://jscastillophotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.s.castillophotography

Facebook:       jscastillophotography@gmail.com

Image Credits
Kaleidosoul photography-headshot