Today we’d like to introduce you to Genevieve Serrano.
Genevieve, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi, I’m the human behind Bésame Photo. Photographs have been a fascination of mine since I can remember, I must’ve looked through our family photo albums a thousand times throughout my childhood. There is something about freezing a moment of joy in time that sucked me in from an early age. When I was ten, I picked up my parent’s black and silver Minolta point and shoot film camera for the first time. Spending ages carefully crafting my shots so I didn’t waste any of my parent’s film. I remember how excited I would get to drop the film to be developed so I could finally the photos I had taken. In when 2002 digital cameras started becoming more popular and affordable for people to own, I had to have one. I spent months saving up my allowance to be able to buy a camera of my own. It was a Kodak point and shoot with some major zoom on it. I can’t tell you how many memory cards I filled up with photos of my dog’s eyeball and way too close-up portraits of plants. Some of my favorite middle school memories were taken with that camera. My junior year of high school, I bought my first DSLR camera, you know one of the fancy ones with a detachable lens. It was a major upgrade from the point and shoot I had spent the last few years wearing out. That’s when I was ready to get serious about turning my photography from passion to a business.
Fast forward to now, we have Bésame photo. Bésame is everything I’ve been dreaming about for years. Capturing unique love stories, freezing joy in time. Capturing people and products authentically to build their brands. I wish I could bottle the feeling I get during a photoshoot. There isn’t a time I feel more calm, excited and ‘right’ than I do behind the camera. Total euphoria.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha! Is any road in life smooth? I’ve absolutely had my fair share of struggles along the way but two major lessons stick out to me. The first was letting the opinions of others hold me back for WAY too long. If someone tells you that something you’re passionate about is “too saturated” of a market don’t listen to them, they’re wrong. They aren’t you and don’t have the unique strengths that only you can bring to the table. There is enough work out there for all of us. Second, to get out of my own way. I let Imposter syndrome stunt my business and personal growth for way too long. You have something to add to the conversation, I promise.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in capturing your unique love candidly. My style is romantic and warm. Capturing you as your most authentic selves. If you’ve never had a professional shoot before, don’t worry, I’ll guide through poses and choosing an outfit to fit your locations.
Something that sets me apart from other photographers is my turnaround time. My clients receive a preview of their shoot within 24hr and their final gallery 1-2 weeks from their shoot. I know how hard it is to wait to see the final result!
One of my favorite sessions that I offer is a date night mini session. It’s a fun way to reconnect with your partner and just be in the moment. They’ll be photos you cherish forever!
If you are recently engaged, announcing your pregnancy or gender reveal, reach out! I would love to learn more about you.
I take commercial clients as well so if you are a brand needing product photos or an epic launch photo for social, I’d love to make your branding photo dreams come true!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have so much gratitude for my husband. He is my biggest cheerleader, the first person to believe in me and encourage me to believe in myself. That’s the most important piece of it all though, I had to believe it myself. That’s why I hadn’t been able to be successful before, I didn’t believe in myself enough to filter out all the people who doubted me.
Parents, I encourage you to support your children’s dreams. Even if it seems a bit silly to you. If they love gymnastics, take them to the classes as long as they love them. Yeah, they probably won’t end up an olympian or a professional gymnast but you’ll have taught them how to be passionate, dedicated, and most importantly that you believe they can do it. It will teach them to believe in themselves. I didn’t get a lot of support for my creativity as a kid and I think that’s why it took me so long to recognize the potential in myself and unlearn the negative thought process.
And a shoutout to all of my clients over the years for trusting me to capture some of the most monumental and special moments of their lives.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact.besame@gmail.com
- Website: https://genevieveserrano.wixsite.com/besamephoto
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besamephoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/besamephoto
Image Credits
@bésamephoto
