[KELP JOURNAL] Kimberly, I usually like to hear about how artists found their form. So, what is your origin story? How did you come to photography?
[KIMBERLY CASTELINO] I actually got into photography because of my phone. I’ve loved taking photos of things I found beautiful or interesting–whether it was a sunset, an animal, or a unique tree. Anything that pleased my eye. I neither have a professional camera, nor do I feel the need for one, so I just use what I have. Over time, I started paying more attention to details like lighting, framing, and how a shot could tell a story. I didn’t think I’d get so into it, but the more photos I took, the more I realized how powerful it was to capture a moment or a feeling with just one click. Using my phone has made it easier to be spontaneous and capture things on the go, and I’ve learned a lot by experimenting with what’s in front of me.
[KJ] As for your photographs, I always wonder what makes someone click the shutter. Is there a feeling you have or something that you are looking to capture?
[KC] When I visit different places with unique landscapes I’m always looking for moments that feel striking or unexpected. I focus a lot on the natural details, how the plants and trees look, the way the light interacts with the landscape, the vastness of a mountain range or a peaceful lake. Since I live in Illinois, I’m used to flat terrain, so when I’m in places with more dramatic scenery it feels like I’m seeing nature in a completely new way. For example, a few years ago we took a vacation to the Banff region of Canada, and I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the landscape. I click the shutter when something really grabs my attention, when the colors, textures, or overall vibe of the scene feels special. My phone lets me capture these moments quickly and naturally, without overthinking it. It’s about preserving the motion of the scene and sharing that feeling through the photograph.
[KJ] I love the perspective in these photographs, and it is perspective that gives them this sense of on-goingness, a vastness. They definitely instill a sense of awe. Can you talk about how you achieved the perspective in shots?
[KC] Thank you! A lot of the perspective in my photos comes from how I choose to frame the scene. When I’m photographing landscapes or plants, I try to capture the scale and the depth of the environment around me. For example, I’ll sometimes shoot from a lower angle to make the trees or plants look bigger and more imposing. One of my favorite techniques is using one-point perspective. I love how it creates a sense of depth and draws the viewer's eye toward a single point in the distance. Usually, I look for scenes where lines naturally lead toward a single point in the distance. From there I position myself so that those lines converge at one spot in the frame, usually near the center, which pulls the viewer’s eye toward that point. I also like to play around with how the lines interact with the surroundings–like having trees on either side of the path to create a more focused, tunneled effect.
[KJ] You are also an artist and I always love to ask multi-disciplinary creators how they pick the media or form of their project. Does a project speak to you or do you tinker with an idea until you find the right fit?
[KC] It’s kind of both, honestly. Sometimes the project just needs a certain medium. Like, when I’m working on an environmental issue, photography just feels like the obvious choice. The subject is usually so powerful on its own, and the photo really captures that urgency. On other occasions, I’ll have a more abstract idea, and I’ll mess around with different media until something clicks. It’s like cooking—sometimes everything just comes together perfectly, but other times you have to keep adjusting ingredients until it tastes just right. In the end, the project kind of tells me what it wants, but I have to experiment a bit to figure out the best way to bring it all together.
[KJ] I read that you are also a writer. What do you write? And do you think your work in other forms, such as photography, influences your writing?
[KC] I mostly write creative non-fiction and essays, with a focus on environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, and conservation. My environmental journey actually started back in fifth grade when my friend and I decided to raise awareness for the endangered Amur leopards. We were very ambitious—dreaming big with plans for a fundraiser and a whole campaign. But despite our best intentions, it never actually came together. But that experience—though a bit of a flop—sparked something in me. It ignited my drive to learn more about environmental issues and, eventually, to write about them. One of my first published pieces was about deforestation in the Amazon. I believe that photography and writing complement each other in my work. Writing lets me explore the depth of an issue—breaking it down, offering context, and sometimes a personal perspective. Photography, on the other hand, allows me to capture the immediacy and emotional power of the moment. When I’m writing about something like deforestation, I think about how a photograph can add an emotional layer that words alone might not convey. The two forms are intertwined—they both help me communicate the urgency and beauty of nature, but in different, equally powerful ways.
Kimberly Castelino is a high school junior whose artistic journey spans photography, painting, writing, coding, engineering, cooking, and gardening. Outside of her artistic pursuits, Kimberly enjoys exploring and finding inspiration in everyday experiences. She takes great pride in giving back to her community by participating in programs such as food distributions and tutoring for kids through Onward Neighborhood House. With a strong passion for the environment, she enjoys gardening, composting, and educating others about climate issues through photography and writing. Kimberly is an avid writer, using words to complement her visual artistry and stances on ongoing issues. Whether crafting short stories or persuasive essays, she weaves narratives that resonate with emotion and insight. Kimberly has been published in the Hindsight Journal Changing Skies for a persuasive essay on deforestation.
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