We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Derreck Stanley Castillo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Derreck Stanley below.

Hi Derreck Stanley, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I want my legacy to be one of creativity, connection, and impact. I want to be remembered as someone who saw the beauty and enthusiasm in the world and used their talents to share that viewpoint with others and to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. I want to inspire others to go against the grain and pursue their own creative passions and use that creativity to tell important stories, promote empathy, understanding and fuel someone else’s creative spark.

Derreck Stanley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Derreck Stanley Corpuz-Castillo, I am a first-generation Filipino-American who was born in Bronx, NY and raised in Teaneck, NJ. My parents were both born in the Philippines and came to this country when they were in their early 20s. I swam and was part of the rowing club in my high school, I attended Bergen Catholic HS (Shoutout, my Crusaders) and later attended Bergen Community College. I’m a dedicated and enthusiastic creative that’s passionate about storytelling, photography, and bringing people together. 

I did not go to school for photography, I repeat, I did not go to school for photography. Funny enough, I had failed my photography course in college. It was always a hobby for me since I was in high school, and my father introduced it to me at a young age. 

I thought I was going into corporate America, honestly. Going to school for communications & marketing, I did my internships and all that and I genuinely thought, there has to be more for my life than what I’m seeing. I really didn’t want to dread work. I didn’t want to wake up and immediately hate my life and to get the day over with, I hated that mentality and that’s where I was headed with the career path I originally wanted. 

As for my services/creative works I provide, I have experience in behind the scenes, event, portrait, lifestyle, commercial and wedding/elopement photography. I create content for social media. I throw a party called Cuffing Season Party. I build long lasting relationships with people from different niche’s and I connect bridges. 

I’m proud of having a billboard around Times Square. I’m proud that my parents are happy with my career path. I’m proud of clients/friends trusting my vision. I’m proud of my photography being seen in all aspects of the world. I’m proud to represent Asian American Pacific Islanders in my career. I’m proud to follow my creative passion even with how unstable this industry is. I’m proud to just be on this creative journey and be able to say “I don’t hate my job.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Appreciation goes a long way with a creative. I feel like when you’re just out there doing things and trying to put yourself into the world that you forget to give yourself that pat on the back. The last year or so I’ve been trying to put myself back in that mindset of giving myself those flowers and congratulating myself for making it so far.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Reciprocity. I show love to those who show love to me. Now I’m not going to sit here and say I’ve been a saint all my life, but as of recent I’ve been big on returning the love you receive. 

If you show up to an event I curated, I will return that love. 

If you extend your hand when I’m in a time of need, I will return that love. If you break bread with me, I will return that love.

Contact Info:

• Website: derreckstanley.com
• Instagram: @derreckstanley
• Linkedin: @derreckstanley