Meet Roy Serafin

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roy Serafin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
People skills—hands down. Being a great photographer matters, of course, but at the end of the day, no one’s going to care how technically perfect your photos are if you can’t connect with people. My entire brand is built on relationships. The creativity behind what I do, the way I run my business—it’s all rooted in how I treat and communicate with people.

That means knowing how to make strangers feel comfortable, getting people to laugh, asking good questions, listening to what they want, and being flexible when things change. I approach every couple with a serve first, sell later mindset. I’m here to help them before I ever try to help myself. That kind of genuine connection is what keeps people coming back and referring others. It’s never just about the photos—it’s about how I make people feel.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Everything I do starts with one goal: to serve my couples well. The photography, the art, the business—none of it matters if it doesn’t make their lives easier or their memories stronger. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter galleries. Every couple is different, and their story deserves something that actually reflects them—not just another Pinterest-perfect album.

I specialize in weddings, elopements, and destination sessions, and I’ve learned that what people really need isn’t just someone with a camera. They need someone they can trust when things feel chaotic. Someone who shows up early, stays calm under pressure, adapts when things change last minute, and still delivers work they’re proud to hang on their walls. That’s the part of this job I love the most—being that steady presence people can count on.

The work you see now didn’t come easy. I spent years learning how to find light in impossible situations (literally and figuratively), making mistakes and figuring out how to do better each time. I worked weddings in Chicago and across the country while quietly rebuilding the business side with the help of amazing coaches and mentors. At every point—when things were going well and when they weren’t—what kept me grounded was a deep belief that people come first. Always.

That mindset has carried me through more than 200 weddings. I’ve learned how to create images that feel real, how to pose people in ways that don’t feel like posing, and how to design timelines that actually let couples enjoy their day. Most of all, I’ve learned how to make people feel seen, cared for, and confident in front of the camera.

So if you’re someone who wants photography that goes deeper than stiff poses and pretty backdrops—someone who wants a calm, creative guide through one of the most meaningful days of your life—I’m your guy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, we’d keep it simple but fun. Catch the cruise ships sailing out at sunset from South Pointe Park, explore Vizcaya Gardens, and do a boat tour past Al Capone’s old house. One day we’d take the ferry to Bimini for beach time and clear water. Back in Miami, we’d bike through Coconut Grove, grab coffee in Wynwood, and end the night with incredible Italian at Casa Tua or Macchialina. No rigid plans—just good energy and space to let the week unfold.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
God first—always. I’m nothing noteworthy without Him at the center of everything I do.

Beyond that, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a whole community behind me. It’s not just one person or moment—it’s a long list of people who’ve shaped who I am and how I work. My parents have been foundational. All of my closest friends have poured into me in different ways. My business coach Ben Hartley, another coach Daniel Tokini, and my hypnotherapist Katie Wandasiewicz have each played a huge role in helping me grow mentally, emotionally, and professionally.

Photographers like Jason Vinson, Esteban Gil, and Pye Jirsa have inspired me and pushed me to keep evolving. One of the first people I ever learned from was someone I only knew online as @Trashhand. Cinematographers like Roger Deakins continue to influence the way I see light, movement, and storytelling.

People always say, “It takes a village.” In my case, it’s felt more like a nation.

Website: https://roythephotographer.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/roythephotographer

Image Credits
Photos by Roy the Photographer – https://roythephotographer.com