We recently connected with Fredo Castillo and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Fredo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path, professionally when I started to think about my life long-term. I was working for a fortune 500 company in a leadership position but I didn’t feel satisfied. I’ve always loved art as a child and dreamed of being an illustrator. So I asked my father what he would recommend as a career/business that I could pursue, he immediately said Photography. I asked more questions about it and then he recommended a camera for me to purchase. Within a couple of weeks, I was outdoors trying out my new camera and I was immediately hooked. The fulfillment I experienced was so therapeutic and I haven’t felt such satisfaction in any other field. Photography forces me to appreciate my surroundings in a unique visual way.
Fredo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Fredo Castillo and I began photography as a way to tap into my artistic side and find fulfillment. I began by photographing grass, trees, wildlife and landscapes. Soon afterwards I began photographing people and concerts/events. Now I specialize in events such as weddings, concerts, business parties, beauty pageants, etc. My secondary expertise is portrait photography ranging from 1 on 1 beauty shots to family portraiture.
When I shoot for businesses and venues, I focus on creating images that showcase the products/services in the most attractive compositions. About 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. Visuals are processed about 60,000 times faster than text. Capturing the attention of the audience is critical for marketing so I take my role very seriously.
I’m most proud of all the relationships I’ve created, in addition to the life experiences I’ve been able to participate in, due to this incredible craft. I want viewers and followers to remember me as a beautiful soul with a relentless drive for self development and growth in this art form. I will forever be a student.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I believe the most rewarding aspect is that I’m able to create visuals that are unique to me. I have my own perspective and creativity and my camera is the tool I use to communicate my vision to the viewers. And the ultimate satisfaction is seeing my work printed and mounted on a wall. There’s a big difference for me, between seeing a photo on a small phone and seeing one printed and mounted on a wall.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, many people including myself were affected. The company I had been working at, for years, suddenly laid me off. It was a huge shock to my financial and emotional stability but I used the situation as motivation to pursue my career in Photography. It’s been a roller coaster of a ride, not being able to rely on steady income, but the enjoyment and fulfillment I receive from being able to work in my artistic craft is very much worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fredocastillo.com
- Instagram: @fredocastillo
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/fredocastillophotography
- Twitter: @fredocastillo6
- Other: Fredo Castillo on Google
Image Credits
Fredo Castillo