We were lucky to catch up with Rafael Badillo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rafael, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Crafting our couple’s story with creativity sets us apart significantly. Even in familiar locations frequented by other photographers, we approach each setting uniquely, ensuring our couples receive photos distinct from the normal photos captured at those locations.
Our favorite story is: We had a couple that met as neighbors at the age of 8. When her dad realized that the next-door neighbor boy was into his daughter, he began to build a fence to keep them apart. When they told us how they met, we had to go to their parents’ house to capture that story in a photo. I added the photo so you can see the results.
Those little things are what make a picture into an heirloom for a family, especially when those couples begin to have families of their own. Kids always ask, ‘Mom, Dad, how did you guys meet?’ Now, you have something visual to show the little ones.
Rafael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
At Rafael Badillo Photo & Film, we’re more than just a husband and wife photography and videography team based in Dallas, Texas; we’re storytellers. Specializing in capturing the essence of weddings and quinceañeras.
We pride ourselves on delivering unique images that stand out, even in the most common settings. We love getting to know our clients so we can help them tell their stories with what we do. We ensure that each photo and video reflects the authenticity of their journey. Our goal is to provide you with timeless images that become cherished pieces of wall art in your home.
While you’ll receive your digital files on a USB with its keepsake box, we understand that these often end up tucked away in a drawer. That’s why we go the extra mile by including a handcrafted heirloom album, meticulously designed to narrate the story of your special day. We offer a great selection of high-end products for you to display in your home, from canvases and acrylic blocks to metal prints.
We believe in enjoying your photos, not by viewing your beautiful images on a laptop but by showcasing them on your walls where they can be enjoyed every day.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
I have always known that I wanted to be an artist of some sort as far as I remember. In kindergarten was my first memory of what I wanted to be when I grew up, that’s how long I’ve known. That desire stayed with me through the years until I stumbled upon photography, which immediately captivated me.
However, it would take another 35 years before I got the courage to let go of the security of a steady paycheck. On my 40th birthday, I made the bold decision to quit my full-time corporate job, complete with benefits, to pursue photography wholeheartedly. Looking back, I realize I should have made this leap much sooner. The hardest part of going fulltime was getting over the fear of not having someone hand me a paycheck every two weeks.
One of the most pivotal decisions I made was understanding the importance of running a business, Most artist are not business people but without that knowledge you will not last long. During the Covid-19 lockdown, I poured myself into learning everything I could about sales, managing finances, and revamping our business structure. It wasn’t easy, but our hard work paid off big time: by the end of 2020, we managed to exceed our earnings for the entire previous year, at a time when most photographers weren’t making much
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My wife is the cornerstone of everything we’ve achieved. Every decision and every initiative, passes through her eyes first; only until her approval does it see the light of day. Our commitment to great customer service is based on her standards. The shift from simply capturing images to storytelling, that is stemmed from her experience during our own engagement session.
I might come up with a lot of ideas but if it doesn’t get green lit by Veronica it doesn’t see the light of day
From something as small as the beverages we serve in our studio to the curation of our social media presence, it’s all about meeting her high standards. She’s got this knack for being selective and her tastes shapes every aspect of our brand and the experiences we offer. So, really, everything you see and love, that’s all thanks to my amazing wife.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rafaelbadillo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rafaelbadillophoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/rafaelbadillophoto
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@rafaelbadillophoto
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@rafaelbadillophoto
Image Credits
Rafael & Veronica Badillo