Roy Serafin Photo Co. :10 Questions with Roy Serafin

Photographer - Roy Serafin

Business: Roy Serafin Photo Co.
Location: Tampa, Florida FL
Experience: 6 Years
Photography Types: Engagements, Weddings
Profile: Roy Serafin Photo Co.
Website: roythephotographer.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

My story is a little different, my business model is actually a little different too to be honest.

I was actually a contracted web designer for PetSmart in Phoenix for a bit before becoming an Art Director at a few ad agencies in Chicago. I’d build and work with teams to create websites, landing pages, social media campaigns and ad creative for different brands, it was a lot of work and had the potential to be fun. The trade off was, we would also regularly work 16 hour shifts five to six days a week and once you finished a project it was either a thumbs up from the brand or if it wasn’t perfect, you were probably in trouble.

One of the things I had to do was work with incoming photographers who were contracted out to make different photographs for the campaigns and they usually produced great work but not always exactly what we were looking for. So I decided to buy a camera and go on the shoots with them to learn. That’s where the addiction to photography started. I’d go out into the city and just shoot photographs for hours on end, basically anytime I had that was free. That ultimately led to getting to travel for photography and inevitably doing portraits and weddings.

When I started delivering weddings and seeing the emotional connections people had to their photographs, I stopped caring about being a designer. All I wanted to do was tell people’s stories. One bride specifically said after massive tears, “I just never knew he looked at me like that.” I think the next day, I decided to quit design entirely. Now I’m a full-time wedding photographer and it’s literally the most fun & rewarding thing I have ever been able to do. Understanding each couple’s unique wants and needs, being able to translate those into photographs, and then see their emotional connection to them when they are delivered is second to none.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?

I have been a wedding photographer for 6 years and have had the honor of being a photographer at over 100 weddings.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

My photography style is cinematic with more contrast in the edits. There is a strong focus on storytelling in the photographs I deliver. I believe that the best way I can serve my clients is to be able to deliver wonder and awe in their photographs without sacrificing the experience of the day. I don’t want to create boring wedding photographs I find on Pinterest. I want to document authentic emotion, wonder & awe, and create something you can have that is thoroughly you. For me, there isn’t any better feeling on earth than seeing the reaction my couples have when I deliver moments back to them.

4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

Most of my couples book between 12 and 18 months out but it varies by the couple. The thing is the closer to the date you book, the more you will be relying on luck to find a photographer with an open date but it does happen.

5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

I have a base package designed specifically for couples eloping. It's a four hour package with one photographer, full resolution digital copies, unrestricted printing rights, wedding album design, and timeline planning to maximize the photos you receive. Everything past that point is custom created to each couple. Most couples will end up with an 8-10 hour collection with 2 photographers, an engagement session, full resolution digital copies, unrestricted printing rights, wedding album design and a wedding album.

6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?

i am the primary photographer, yes. Thats why I have such limited availability, I can really only full invest in about 30 couples stories per year. On the rare occasion an associate will perform the wedding if I am incapacitated due to medical emergency or otherwise. Having an associate is the absolute last resort for me though, I am usually way too excited for the couple.

7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?

I have a flat fee of $750 for most of the US that covers my airfare, lodging and accommodations. This fee only covers travel within the continental US. International travel & travel to Hawaii, Alaska, and US territories is usually custom quoted.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

A museum-grade heirloom album is included in many of the custom collections but there are optional upgrades available to each couple.

9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?

Depending on the intensity of the season, most couples receive their images between 8-10 weeks after the wedding. This allows enough time to make sure that every image is professionally edited, retouched if need be and to design the wedding album.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

The retainer for your wedding date is non-refundable after its been paid. 60 days prior to your wedding day, the rest of the balance is due and becomes non-refundable as well.