Meet JESSICA CASTRO | Wedding & Family Photographer

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

Hi JESSICA, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work life balance has changed immensely. It was something that overtime I noticed could be worked on as it affected different relationships in my life. When I first moved to LA 10 years ago there were several years of hustling hard and making myself fully available. This limited the amount I would go back home to see my family. As I approached my 30’s I started to realize I wanted more space and time to nourish relationships with other but also myself. My partner encouraged me to look in Joshua Tree where we liked to escape the city and camp at times. Now I have been living out here I can have more control in my schedule and say no to more things that might not pay as well or be in aligned with the work I’m trying to build. The community here is very supportive and I still have my space in LA to do work in the city. The balance is nice, I have a garden where I grow a lot vegetable and herbs.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Photography has been a journey for me that has changed for sure. The focus in the beginning was more on my commercial side with advertising in fashion and editorial work. However weddings has been in the picture since day one. My first wedding was in college for my dental hygienist. It wasn’t until I moved to California and got myself more established where my dreams started to shift more. California is so diverse with is landscape but also its people. Every wedding can be so different, from cultures to backgrounds snow, desert, beach, city etc. It’s very inspiring. Things started to shift for me when I built more word of mouth and created solid relationships with other professionals in the industry. There are lessons I have learned in the way mostly how to protect a business properly. Getting paid by people is something you chase more in the beginning if you’re not as knowledgeable of the legal side of things, doing contracts, collecting retainers, managing expectations. The pandemic was super impactful to my business. A lot of income and business was lost out of it and ultimately I ended up losing my father in 2021 to it. I hadn’t seen my dad in almost 2 years he was in high risk to COVID and I couldn’t risk getting him sick when I had weddings to attend where people refused to wear mask. I had the busiest fall wedding season and couldn’t afford to break my contracts had to work through my grief and go back home a month later for his funeral. I give this profession my all and am very grateful to have this career.

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.
LA is such a diverse place with many places to explore depending on what you’re into. If you’re a foodie I would urge you to explore the food scene, whether you want something authentic, affordable, new, creative, expensive its all there for you. Driving around muholland is always beautiful and a fun way to cut from valley to west side without doing the yucky 405 or sepulveda. The hikes are a nice way to see the city from afar, griffith is always easy, the beaches have some hike views.

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?
There’s so many wonderful individuals who have supported my journey, whether you were a client, an artist or someone helping on set for shoot, a friend who’s given advice or shown me the way on something, a follower on social media who likes to show support, it has meant the world and I have noticed.

With that said theres people who deserve recognition.

There are planners such as Honey Fitz Events, Tasteful Tatters Events and Summer Newman Events who have supported my business greatly throughout the years. Brides of mine who have referred me to countless family and friends who have booked with no hesitations. Prime example my past bride Pinky Lark Farnum who is a wildy talented florist who has referred me to so many friends/families and clients I get to see her at least once a year from it.

Stanley, my partner who shows me encouragement, love, patience when I have to get into work heavy, will second shoot for me when I need him to and make sure I’m comfortable. My two best friends who live in FL Krystal & Hannah. They are my emotional support because photography is such a wild ride of a business to do on your own. My parents are always a big support of my dreams. It’s not easy to have you only daughter move across the country for a decade to pursue photography. Their love encouragement and advice has been my biggest support.

Website: www.jessicacastroweddings.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicacastroweddings

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-castro-b50b062b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicacastroweddings/

Youtube: www.instagram.com/heyjesshi