Today we’d like to introduce you to Roman Rama III.
Roman, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started off just interested in art, not really having an idea that I would end up being a wedding photographer. It wasn’t until I picked up a point-and-shoot camera that I started taking photos and getting into photography. When graduating Galveston College, I went to a family friend, who is a well-known photographer here in Galveston, to take my graduation photos. He took all my family photos growing up since I was a kid.
Walking into his studio, I was blown away with everything he had and became like a kid in a candy store. I told him after our session that I was very interested in photography and he invited me to come more often in the summer to learn from him and help him. I agreed and showed up the next day early morning. As I came in every day that summer, he taught me everything from using the camera in Manual mode to using off-camera flash and more. Even though I didn’t understand most of it, it was great to be learning from him and seeing how he worked in the studio with clients and editing photos.
After money I got back from income taxes came in, I ended up spending it on an entry Canon Rebel XTI. I practice and practice in the studio then he asked me if I wanted to help assist him in a wedding. I freaked out and said no. I wasn’t ready and the thought of me messing up someone’s big wedding day was scary. After talking me more into it, I finally agreed and also invited a close friend of mines to join in for the wedding shoot. He leads the whole day and we shot what we could. I was very impressed with how I did (Not impressed looking back at them now).
I then wanted to start doing more and he started hiring us more to help him with weddings. 2014 is when I started to branch off and start my own photography company. Little did I know it was more than just working weddings, I had not learned the business sense of things and started off struggling. Little by little I have learned from all my mistakes and I feel with every year and every wedding I get better and better.
Today I feel very confident in my work and the experience I can offer future brides. This year will be one of my busiest years since I started and I am hoping to build off of this year for next year.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a business of myself, it can and does get very complicated many times. Everything from keeping the business side of things running and profitable, to keeping in touch with brides already booked and meeting new ones who are interested in booking, to balancing my photography job with my full-time job and life event, to even missing out on events due to having to work a wedding that was booked far in advance.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc.?
I want to specialize in weddings. Not just taking photos, but a storyteller photographer who can create artistic images of important memories.
What are you most proud of as a company?
I am very proud that I NOT a big company, but just a small time photographer who happens to be working weddings. I am the type of person who loves to support small business and I love to say that I am a small business with a big heart.
Couples who come to me are not just another client, I love my couples and we usually end up as friends after the wedding. I even love when they grow with me and I get to do maternity sessions and family sessions years after.
That’s how my mentor was to me and he has a great reputation here in Galveston.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others I believe is the experience I offer to brides. I treat them all as of they are 1st class. I help with timeline input, I help with wedding planning advice, I help do any little thing I can to help keep the load off of them.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I was lucky to have a mentor who was an open to and took me in with open arms. He showed me a lot about running a wedding photography business. Most photographers back then didn’t share much and thought of newbies (as I was) as competition.
Today most photographers are open to sharing. There are still some who are closed off but I like to give back to newbies as I was given that chance from my mentor.
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography – Starting at $2500
- Wedding Videography – Starting at $2000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.romievizon.com
- Phone: (409) 256-2761
- Email: romie@romievizon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romievizon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romievizon/
Image Credit:
April Marie, Adam Gleason, Christina Aceituno Medina, Kevin Aceituno, Alexis Miller, Christine Marie, Ismael Mayo Ovalle, Tara Byrd, Arianna Clendennen, Sam Taylor, Kyle Chambers, Josh Chambers, Kayla Barton, Tyler Wright
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
