Drea Castro (Creator)
- Elisabeth Caraballo
- Feb 12, 2019
- 5 min read
A little about myself, I am a creator. I can’t call myself one thing because I do so many different kinds of work. First and foremost, I love the visual arts. I have been shooting photographs since I was 16 years old. It’s always been a part of who I am. I am in love with telling stories in whatever visual media I can get my hands on, which is why I am also a documentary filmmaker and producer. Most of what I do professionally requires me to help my clients tell their own stories in a captivating way.
Part of my love for photography and film is my desire to share my travels and experiences with others. In documentary photography and film, I think it’s also important to share the experiences of the people I meet and their own stories through my lens.
EC: What kind of traveler are you?
DC: I am not your normal traveler. I don’t usually stay in fancy hotels, although don’t get me wrong, that’s occasionally nice, too. My travels always turn into some kind of crazy adventure that requires something physically taxing or an uncomfortable situation. My last two major trips consisted of hiking around Mt. Everest in Nepal, in the middle of winter as well as, dog sledding and hiking in the Canadian Rockies. I’d say, I’m an adventurous traveler for sure. I love hiking, sleeping in tents, climbing some mountain, etc.
EC: I love the work you do as a Photographer! How did you get started in this field? Why?
DC: I started as a photographer at a young age. I learned to shoot in high school and began in the dark room. I always loved it! I remember looking at Ansel Adams’ photographs and loving his work when I was 7 years old. Even at that age, I wanted to go see Yosemite and Half Dome because of his photography work. It just made sense that I would end up climbing up those mountains myself and taking my own scenic photographs. I became more than just a hobbyist by shooting events when I was out of college and then eventually moving into portraiture, advertisement work, etc.
EC: I know you create all types of images with landscape being one of them. On your travels, what has been your most favorite place to photograph?
DC: One of my most favorite places to photograph was Machu Picchu. I’ve been to so many places around the world but there was something really special about Peru. I don’t know if it was the delicious food, the amazing people, the near death experience I had suffering from elevation sickness or how the clouds parted when I arrived at the ruins, but the world was really magical there. That magic is really apparent when you photograph it.
EC: Where is a must see place you want to photograph?
DC: I am dying to go to Patagonia, Chile. I’d love to do the W or the O circuit around Torres Del Paine and take some amazing photographs. I can see myself going there within the next two years.
EC: What do you think is the biggest sacrifice you have made for the sake of traveling?
DC: I think the biggest sacrifice I’ve made for traveling is the fact that all my money goes to travel. I save some money and I reinvest in my photography equipment and my travels. I mean, is that really a sacrifice? I don’t think so. I think I’m pretty lucky. I don’t really need fancy things, I’d rather pour all my money into my travel experiences.
EC: Have you had any scary moments while on your travels?
DC: I think the scariest moment I had was in Morocco. My cousin and I decided to trust a random guy on the streets of Fez to take us to the Tanneries in the evening. After a long and winding trip through the maze of Fez, we both thought we were going to disappear forever. After a 20 minute confusing walk around the ancient town with only alleyways as streets and no vehicles, we were convinced this man was going to take advantage of us. We were wrong. It turned out that he was actually just trying to help us. He didn’t ask for money. He didn’t ask for anything, really. He was just being helpful and that kindness really stuck with me.
EC: How has travel changed you?
DC: Travel always changes me. Every single time I leave my comfort zone, I learn about myself, how lucky I am, how unlucky I am, how I need to learn to be more grateful and kind, and how beautiful the world is. Travel reminds me that my daily struggles are really not that important in the grand scheme of things. Travel educates me about the true nature of people, how similar and how different we are. And every time I return home, I’m moved so deeply that I yearn for the next airplane ride to some foreign place.
EC: Who is your travel inspiration?
DC: Gosh, I could go on and on about so many different travelers. There’s so many amazing storytellers out there but one person that sticks out to me is the photographer, Brian Sokol. I saw his exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography, a few years ago about his work photographing global human rights and social issues. His speech brought tears to my eyes. I could see how much his travels moved him, how the people he met changed his outlook on everything. I get that completely. I know how that feels to a much smaller extent than he has experienced. His work touches people on a global and social level. He travels the world often, photographing some of the most difficult situations in the world. Yet, he still finds the inspiration and love with every photograph he takes. I love watching his work. I hope that I can tell stories like his. I hope I am lucky enough to meet people like he’s met and maybe just maybe, I can have the opportunity to tell meaningful stories like his throughout the world.
EC: Where is your next travel destination going to be? Why?
DC: I am actually headed to Kenya and Tanzania. I am going on my honeymoon there, but of course, I am also spending a portion of that time looking for some subjects to shoot, specifically women’s rights issues. I am searching for Women who have gone through adversity and hope I can help tell some of their stories out there.
EC: What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about becoming a Photographer?
DC: It’s intimidating to be taking photographs in a world of iPhones and digital cameras BUT, just do it. Don’t let the noise of the visual world, stop you from wanting to tell your story and share your experiences. Your story matters and they are different from anyone else's. Never stop learning! A lot of photographers think they are so good, they have no room to learn from others. That’s a mistake. There’s always someone who’s more talented, so why not be humble, learn, and get better. "What do you have to lose?" To me, art is a constant state of learning.
