Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Castillo.
Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story with photography actually began in college, when my classmates would constantly compliment the photos I took with nothing more than my cellphone. I never imagined then that those little moments would eventually lead me here. Years later, when I could finally afford a better camera, I started photographing landscapes and birds. But something was missing-I wanted to capture people, emotions, and stories. So I bought a secondhand camera and a 50mm lens and began photographing my friends. At every event, I somehow became the person behind the camera, and at church, I started serving with the media department, using photography as another way to serve.
Eventually, I had the opportunity to invest in a better camera and better lenses and equipment. I began doing model calls, experimenting, learning, educating myself and finding my own creative voice. When I finally felt ready to charge $50 for an hour, I got the opportunity to work with real clients-and that’s when I truly fell in love with photography. Not only taking the photos, but with the entire creative process, especially editing and turning an image into something that feels like a story.
Today, every session is a joy. I get to create, connect with people, and tell their stories through my own perspective. And knowing that people see my work, connect with it, and genuinely love the images I create for them is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. What started with a cellphone in college has grown into something I’m incredibly grateful to call my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. There have been many moments of doubt, especially when I was just starting and wondering if I was really good enough to call myself a photographer. I had to learn almost everything through practice-posing, lighting, editing, working with clients, and most importantly, learning to trust my own creative eye.
There were also seasons when investing in better equipment felt impossible, and times when I compared my work to photographers who were much further ahead. Building a business while also balancing family, motherhood, and everything life brings has definitely challenged me. But every difficult season has taught me something.
I’ve learned that photography is not about having the perfect camera, the perfect location, or knowing everything from the beginning. It’s about continuing to learn, taking chances, creating even when you’re unsure, and trusting that your unique perspective has value. The road hasn’t been smooth, but every step-even the difficult ones-has shaped the photographer and the artist I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a portrait and lifestyle photographer specializing in couples, maternity, families and personal milestones. My work is centered around storytelling-I want every session to feel like more than simply posing for a photo, and make the process as simple as possible of you being you.
I love creating images that feel warm, timeless, cinematic and full of genuine emotion.
I’m known for making people feel comfortable enough to truly be themselves in front of my camera I want photography to feel easy, natural and enjoyable-not intimidating or overly posed. My goal is to make the entire experience as effortless as possible while creating photographs that feel authentic to you.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come-from taking photos on my cellphone in college to building a photography business and creating work that people genuinely connect with. Every time a client tells me that their photos look or feel exactly like what they imagined, it reminds me why I started.
What sets me apart is that I don’t want every session to look the same. I’m not interested in simply following trends or recreating someone else’s work. I listen to my clients, learn what makes their story unique, and then bring my own creative perspective to it. I want my photographs to feel like they came from a memory, a movie, or a moment you wish you could live in forever-beautiful, emotional, and unmistakably yours.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t really believe it has been luck. I believe it has been God placing opportunities in front of me-some I recognized and took, and others I may have been too afraid or unprepared to take.
Looking back at my photography journey, so many things happened at exactly the right time: meeting the right people, finding opportunities to practice, having clients trust me when I was just beginning, and being given chances to grow. I could have easily said no to many of those opportunities, but I chose to step out in faith and see where they would lead.
There have definitely been difficult seasons, moments of doubt, slow periods, and opportunities that didn’t work out the way I hoped. But even those experiences have taught me to be the person I am today.
For me, it’s not about being lucky. It’s about recognizing the doors God opens, having the courage to walk through them, and being willing to work, learn, and grow once I’m on the other side. I truly believe that every opportunity is a blessing-but what we do with it is up to us.
Pricing:
- $300 per hour
- I deliver all images
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.castlemediacompany.com
- Instagram: @castlemediacompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551013059707
