I’m constantly being asked, “Why don’t you sell images on CD with your sessions as a package?” Its a good question. Why don’t I? Actually this is something I think about all the time. On one hand I want all my clients to have every image from their session and allow them to print them as they want but on the other hand I think paying for professional photography also means you are paying for the professional quality that comes with it. Now this is not to say that I don’t sell CDs because I do, all the time actually. Personally however I take pride in the quality I offer all my clients and I thoroughly enjoy receiving those packages my UPS and FedEX guy bring to me when orders come in. With each and every order I love looking at the finished product and even today I still catch myself saying “Wow I really took that didn’t I” I only use professional photo labs and with that comes so amazing finished products. Yes having a CD means clients can print images where ever, how ever they want but with that comes the risk that the image quality may not be what they have come to expect.

Photography is a passion of mine that I have the privilege of sharing with others. I consider myself very blessed to have “fans” through places like Facebook or just people in general who love my work and will actually pay me, little ol me, to capture their family and themselves through my camera time and time again. This is not a job to me and not something I do just for the money. The biggest reward is seeing the smiles on my clients faces from the start of our session to the day I deliver their prints.

I had an old childhood friend inspire today’s post. He reminded me why I do what I do and I wanted to share. Whether you choose to buy prints or to purchase a session CD it is important to decide what is more important to you and what will best fit you needs. I want my clients to be happy and will do what it takes to make each and every one smile

There are some people that have come into my life that I will never forget no matter how far I move away. Even when we don’t keep touch as I know I should I still make sure they are remembered them even if its just through an annual christmas card that I mail to select friends and family.

I was just 7 years old when my mom moved my brother and I from Northern California we relocated to a Pico Rivera, Ca in Southern California. Some of my earliest memories include our neighbor Sofie who lived across the street. I can still remember her watching my brother and I in her little studio in the back. I can even remember the time she helped me make my 18th birthday cake which i had no clue what i was doing.

Last night I received tragic news that Sophie’s first born Issac passed away in a tragic accident. He was just 21 years old and died way to early. I still can’t believe that someone who is just getting a start in life doing what he loved so much had to have it end so soon. its just not right. His brother was with him at the time of the accident and is still in the hospital. I feel so bad for Sophie and her family. I sometimes wonder if being a mom myself makes my heart ache even more for her. No parent should ever have to loose a child. Life is not supposed to work that way.

I was about 12 years old Isaac was born and I can still remember meeting him for the first time in his grandmothers bedroom in the new house his dad built for her. I don’t know what it was about Isaac but he has always been the newborn that stood out in my mind as i grew up. The first new baby I ever got to see really close up besides my own brother.

Its times like these that I realize how fragile life really is. I wish I didn’t live so far away so that I could stop by and see Sophie and her family and be able to attend the funeral. My heart goes out to them.

Let this be a reminder to you all to tell those you love how you feel about them and do it often. You never know when life will be cut short when you least expect it.

Hugs, Love and Friendship,

Becky Castillo
Becka Lynn Photography

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Deputy Isaac Anthony Zaldivar, 21, of Pico Rivera was killed Saturday night when his motorcycle collided with a car on Rosemead Boulevard and Terradell Street. Zaldivar was off duty at the time of the crash.

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/california/ci_11874393