FROM COASTAL BEGINNINGS TO WEDDING STORYTELLING
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
Brittany Castillo’s path to wedding photography began in 2010 in a small coastal village in Costa Rica, where she first documented surf culture, nature, and life by the ocean. Her work—featured in publications like The Surfer’s Journal and Surfline—evolved naturally into photographing families and beach weddings, before deepening into a focus on emotional storytelling and meaningful human connection.
Today, her style is natural, true-to-tone, and rooted in authenticity, with a sharp eye for quiet, in-between moments that often go unnoticed but carry the most weight. With a background shaped by Southern California’s high standards and fluency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, she brings both professionalism and intuition to every wedding she photographs.
Share the story behind your photography business and what drew you to capturing weddings?
I began my photography journey in 2010 while living beachside in a small Costa Rican village. My "office" was the shore, where I explored nature, culture, and surfing. Publications such as The Surfer's Journal and Surfline, the leading surf forecast and news site, featured my work. As I expanded to family portraits and beach weddings, I became captivated by capturing raw emotion, genuine connections, and the milestones that give shape and meaning to life.
How would you describe your photography style?
My photography style emphasizes natural, true-to-tone imagery that captures authentic moments with a refined aesthetic. I embrace the in-between moments that others may not even notice - like when the bride's elderly grandmother reaches down to hold her hand, with happy tears and pride in her eyes. Or the mother of the groom, stealing an emotional glance at her son between formal portraits in disbelief that the years had flown by so quickly. Maybe it’s my connection to my own family, or the way I feel things deeply, but I’ve always seen life as one big love story woven with joy, heartbreak, and everything in between, yet always worth it for love.
What sets your work apart?
I was raised in Southern California - a highly competitive area that demands quality and excellent customer service. I believe this is why I have always maintained exceptionally high standards for customer service and work ethic, which carry through every aspect of my profession. With a love for culture and communication, I am trilingual: fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
What’s one thing couples can expect when working with you?
I care a lot about what I do, and I’m very detail-oriented by nature. More than anything, I want my clients to feel genuinely taken care of and to walk away with images that feel beautiful, honest, and meaningful to them. I’m involved in the planning process - helping with timelines, portrait lists, answering questions, and offering guidance when it's helpful.
On the wedding day, I’m always quietly paying attention to the little things: straightening a necklace, adjusting hair, noticing items in pockets, or making sure the couple has had a moment to slow down and actually enjoy it all. I’m constantly thinking a few steps ahead so they don’t have to.
What are some of the most meaningful or memorable weddings you’ve captured, and what made them stand out?
The most meaningful weddings are those in which couples prioritize their happiness, family, and friends. Couples often feel pulled in different directions by family opinions during the planning process, which can add unnecessary stress and frustration. I would encourage couples to follow their hearts and remember that it is their day!
A recent wedding that will always be a dear experience for me was held at St Thomas Preservation Hall - a beautiful historic church in downtown Wilmington. The couple, Liza and Alex, had the sweetest, most genuine connection; their love for each other was sincere and palpable. Their families resonated with this same love, which was truly special to capture. The aesthetic was classic and timeless, echoing "Old Hollywood" with elegant simplicity.
What advice would you give to couples when choosing the right wedding photographer?
Make sure you truly connect with your photographer - you’ll be spending most of your wedding day with them, so it’s important that your personalities and energy align. I also always recommend looking through a full wedding gallery, not just highlights, so you can get a clear sense of how they consistently capture an entire day and what your own photos might feel like from start to finish.
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