Ailish at 2

When I joined my friends Shannon and Andy for their daughter Ailish’s first birthday, she somewhat defied their plans by having little interest in smashing her cake.

When I met up with Shannon for Ailish’s second birthday on a beautiful summer’s day, she defied them again by… really having no interest in summer, fields, nature, or the guy with the camera.

But she did give us a few good smiles here and there, and then got to go have fun with her grandma, which I’m sure she was much more excited about. Plus, she gave me maybe my favorite photo I’ve ever taken, which should definitely be the album art for her first hit single some day:

Sometimes you just gotta roar.

Smash! But Gently.

I joined Shannon and Andy for a special shoot for their daughter Ailish’s first birthday. We started outside, where she was the perfect little model, beaming that big smile at the camera.

Then it was inside for some more big smiles.

And then the big moment - the cake smash! Well… Cake gingerly pick at, anyway.

Either way, pretty cute.

29

It's my birthday. Twenty-nine times I've been around the sun, and the last five of those I've been making a living as a photographer. 

Pictured: Me using a camera I didn't own and never used professionally.

I can't put into words how lucky I am. Not many people get to follow their passion. Fewer do by thirty. Even fewer do without first driving themselves batty working someplace they can't stand.

Pictured: Also me not working.

It's been a crazy ride. I've had to learn to be my own accountant, advertiser, web designer, and salesperson. It's been hard work, but I also know I couldn't have done it alone.

Pictured: Me working in a silly hat.

I owe my success to so many people: my family, who's support was essential to getting Zack Wussow Media off the ground; my fiance, who's been my council, my proofreader, and lately my second shooter. But most of all, I owe my success to my customers, who have been my best promoters and without whom I couldn't have done any of this.

Pictured: Me pretending to work during a break from working.

So thank you all, and here's to all the exciting things ahead this year!

The Birthday Girl

Here's a quick one: Mauresa had me come out for her daughter's first birthday party. It was amazing - tasty treats, a ball pit, cake smashing, and Minnie Mouse!

It was a fun time, and I got to take home a cupcake, which is always a good thing.