inspiration

When you've photographed as much as we have you gain valuable insight into how people tick, you learn every detail of your particular camera and you understand on the deepest level what makes a great photograph. But just as critical as experience is inspiration. As one of the ZoomWorks founders I feel it's essential to be motivated by more than the bottom line every time I pick up my camera. I got into photography because I felt it was the perfect medium for my artistic voice. As I approach 15 years as a professional photographer I still feel that is true. What I find most inspiring is the spirit of my subjects. Whether it's the amazing dynamic of love between two people (like the wedding I photographed this weekend) or the unbridled curiosity of a two year old (like my buddy Clayton). The challenge of capturing that unique spirit in an image continues to energize me. Each member of the ZoomWorks team finds inspiration in different ways--but we all know it's vital to staying fresh, having fun and loving what we do.

A little professional inspiration in the form of conferences- like the one we attended in Las Vegas in March (Professional Wedding and Portrait Photographers of America), or from trade magazines can be helpful too. The amazing thing is that every time we find work we really respect and respond to, we find that we generally have a lot in common with the company/person's way of doing business and with what motivates him/her/them.

Life is always hectic; what a joy it is to stop a moment in time for someone and preserve that spirit forever. -Shannah

additonal thoughts from co-owner

Just wanted to say 'hello' to all in blog-land. This is Marisu, the other half of the ZoomWorks leadership team.

We decided to travel for knowledge this year, and Las Vegas was the destination. We were there for four days with 9000 other portrait and wedding photographers. We went to countless seminars, viewed tons of images and we came back inspired. And confident. Our work spoke for itself. The trade show was fun too! It's always great to check out all the new industry toys.

Speaking of inspired, I just shot two of the most beautiful women in the same week....both 8 and a half months pregnant. Astounding. I can't wait to meet their respective children. It was really nice to share this time of their life with them especially since it is the first time for both of them.

Off to the studio............

ZoomWorks...the last word in photography

ZoomWorks Photography....where to begin? First of all we love photography, we love people and we love the opportunity to capture someones essence, spirit and true emotion on film. YES, we did say film. We love it and we'll continue to use it until the digital revolution crushes us! (We do think digital is great for some things, but our artistic preference is for film because of the amazing way it captures light.)

The "we" of ZoomWorks is our amazing team. Headed by Founders Shannah Cahoe Montgomery and Marisu Wehrenberg. Their respective backgrounds in fine art, photojournalism, fashion and styling led to the ZoomWorks vision and guides everything we do. Our extremely talented group of Deanna Pieniaszek, Alex Martinez, Andrew Edwards and Annie Gannon and our crew of faithful and amazing assistant photographers bring their own unique flair and combined 100+ years of experience to the team.

We spend a lot of time at weddings and LOVE them. It's not the kind of thing you can do half-heartedly, and certainly not for the 7 years and more than 1000 weddings we've photographed since the founding of ZoomWorks in 2000.

Traveling to destination weddings is always a pleasure, and can also present a unique set of challenges... but it's always worth it when we get back amazing images! This year we've spent time on the Florida and Georgia coasts and in St. Thomas. Highlights have included the breathtaking views from the cliffs on St. Thomas, with the couple looking so amazing and radiating such pure, beautiful love that it could eclipse the natural beauty around them. There was the great beach party in Treasure Island, Fl and those gorgeous Gulf sunsets.