Meet Luz Maria Castillo-barba | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luz Maria Castillo-barba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luz Maria, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
At first, maintaining a work-life balance was challenging since photography isn’t my full-time job. About two years ago, I decided to make it a greater priority. I had recently left a job I’d been at for seven years and embarked on a new career. My current job allows for better flexibility, giving me more time to focus on my clients.

I’m always upfront and transparent with my clients about my work hours, ensuring I don’t overcommit myself with too many gigs in a month. I also make it a point to block out certain days just for my husband and family. They’re incredibly understanding when I want to spend my free days shooting or working on my art.

Photography is a form of self-care for me and a great way to manage stress. On my days off, my husband and I often go to a coffee shop with our little corgi for a mini adventure. It’s simple moments like these that help me feel truly balanced.

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.
What sets me apart is my deep passion for the art of photography and the way I pour my heart into every shot. I’ve created two distinct platforms to showcase different aspects of my work: my “Amor.Eternox” account, where I focus on capturing elopements, engagements, and family lifestyle shoots, and my main account, “lucyographer,” which blends more of my personal life with my creative, artistic projects. Each account allows me to express different sides of my work and personality, but both are grounded in the same love for storytelling through the lens.

For me, photography is not just about taking pictures—it’s about telling a story, capturing a feeling, and creating something meaningful. Whether I’m photographing a couple on their wedding day or designing a creative shoot, I truly believe that every image I create is an extension of myself. That deep connection to my work is what allows me to bring a unique perspective to each project, ensuring that no matter the style or genre, the final result feels authentic and full of heart.
What I’m most excited about right now is finally feeling like my work is being recognized. For so long, I was constantly comparing myself to others, but I’ve come to realize that my journey is my own. Just because photography isn’t my full-time job doesn’t mean I’m any less passionate about it. I’ve been able to really focus on the direction I want my work to take, and I’m continuously learning and growing along the way.

This path has not been easy, though! At one point, I would lower my prices just to make sure my clients could afford me, but I quickly learned that wasn’t healthy for me or my business. I needed to trust that if my clients loved my work, they would respect my rates. I had to learn how to confidently sell myself and value my craft. After shooting since I was 17, and now at 33, I finally know my worth! And I’ve learned that it’s okay if a potential client doesn’t agree with my rate—it’s important to be able to walk away when something doesn’t feel right.

Every step of this journey has been a lesson. You never really stop learning, and each lesson has led to growth. I want people to understand that being a photographer is a lot more than just clicking a button. We spend hours, sometimes days, planning our shoots, making sure everything is perfect. We don’t just want you to love the photos—we want you to recognize the artist behind them. Every image is a piece of us, and that’s something we pour our hearts into.

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.
Haha, I love this question! Of course, if my best friend and I were to start our day, it would definitely begin at a coffee shop! I have a few favorites: Sip & Sonder in Inglewood, Burn Umber Coffee in Garden Grove, and Recreational Coffee in Long Beach. After that, we’d grab breakfast in Long Beach, then go on a little adventure to find a vintage photo booth! LOL, I actually have a list of these hidden gems all around California—yes, it took some time to track them down!

But if I’m being totally honest, the perfect week trip would definitely start with a day at Disneyland, because we’re both Disney lovers. After that, we’d head to Amoeba Music to dig through vinyls, and for dinner, we’d treat ourselves to some amazing tacos or ramen in LA. If we’re feeling spontaneous and want to leave the city, we’d just hop in my car and drive off to Yosemite for a road trip. We love those spontaneous getaways!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this shoutout to my older brother. He’s the one who bought me my first camera before I even started college, and he’s the one who first saw my artistic potential and pushed me to pursue it. My brother works in production, and let me tell you, he’s always given me honest, constructive feedback. He’s taught me to develop a thick skin in this industry—especially as a woman and I’m so grateful for that.

I also want to shout out my husband and my friends. They’ve watched me grow in my art, and they’ve seen how much I pour my heart into every shoot. They’ve been with me through thick and thin, even when I hit low points. They’ve encouraged me to pick up my camera again when I felt like putting it down. My husband always tells me he’d rather see me happy with my camera in hand than just sitting at home, because he can see how passionate I am when I talk about my work.

Lastly, I want to give a huge thank you to my parents. If it weren’t for them, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today. They left Mexico at 17-18 years old with nothing, and they fought so hard to give my brothers and me the best life possible. When I first told them I wanted to pursue a career as an artist, I was terrified of their reaction. But to my surprise, they’ve supported me every step of the way. To this day, they proudly show my work to their friends and family, and that means the world to me.

So this is for them—my brother, my husband, My parents, and my friends. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Instagram: lucyographer or Amor.eternox