I know many of you are big fans of Pinterest. Well, now you can connect with Zack Wussow Media there too!
I hope you'll hang out with us there, share your boards, and... do whatever else you do on Pinterest. I'm still figuring it out. :)
Second Shooting for the Rat Pack /
I pretty rarely assist other photographers, but it's also a lot of fun when I do, getting to see the wedding from the groom's side. It helps when, as with Mark and Olivia's wedding near Boston, the guys are funny and excited about looking dapper.
I was working with Melissa Nicastro, covering the guy's prep and the ceremony. Which, awesomely, meant I got to catch the guys doing their best Reservoir Dogs impression.
The church was beautiful. We got some great pictures of the couple not quite meeting before the ceremony.
And then, maybe the best part of the day... After photographing 74 weddings, I finally had a couple get pelted with rice. Which is as awesome as it looks in the movies.
(NB: Rice has fallen out of fashion because it may be unsafe for birds who eat the dry rice. Whether for cleanliness or concern for wildlife, the couple's uncles swept up all the rice.)
As nice as it was to get a half-day at work, I was sad I wasn't going along to the reception. I'm sure it was a beautiful and fun celebration. Regardless, it was great working with Melissa, and I wish all the best to Olivia and Mark!
Five Years /
You know the cliched interview question, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Well, when I walked into the Vernon Town Clerk's office and registered my Doing Business As name, and even if they had I could not have guessed.
This picture, currently on the "About Me" page, is from October 2012. I should probably post something more... recent.
In all honesty, I started Zack Wussow Media for two reasons - first, because the only other UConn Photography grads I knew actually using their degrees were doing weddings, and because you need to register your business to pay taxes. I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted to do long term. In fact, I probably would have said I intended to work a little and then go back to school.
Before grad school, though, I wanted to follow my professor's advice and "get some life". Boy have I.
In these five years I've also acquired more camera gear then I could have imagined needing, taught myself to be a serviceable accountant, advertiser, and salesperson, learned and forgot how to use a steadicam, built three ring lights, taken a million yearbook photos, and attended several lifetimes worth of weddings.
And assisted on one rap video.
Just after ZWM's first anniversary, I met my fiance. A year and a half later we moved in together, into my first real apartment. Then, this past spring, I asked her to marry me. (No date set yet... We're procrastinators.)
I've gotten a tattoo, tried scuba and sky diving, taken at least three road trips, run in a Tough Mudder, and perhaps most incredibly of all, I've gotten Heather's cat Enzo to tolerate my existence (maybe even like me... sometimes).
So given all that, where do I see myself in another five years? My wedding, for sure. Probably owning my first home. Almost certainly still behind a camera.
But besides that? Your guess is as good as mine. I'm excited to find out, though.
Perfect Together /
I joked on Facebook before my wedding yesterday that photographing a friend's wedding makes me especially nervous. It's true! Every wedding makes me nervous to some degree - which is good, since it makes me triple check my gear and the schedule - but with friends you also feel a personal pressure to not let them down.
I needn't have worried with Shannon and Andy.
Not only was the wedding beautiful, but they were as laid-back and fun-loving as I've always known them to be. It was a day filled with familiar faces, actually, with a neighbor, a former wedding couple of mine, and a handful of other acquaintances joining in.
The day started off with the girls getting ready at Shannon's parent's house, a fun process with this bunch.
The ceremony was very traditional, in the beautiful Our Lady of Sorrows in West Hartford.
Then we moved to the Webb-Dean Barn for a lively reception DJ'd by Collins Entertainment. Shannon, Andy, and their friends and family know how to enjoy a party, but it was also marked by touching moments. After they each made a speech about what the other meant to them, the videographer and I were both misty-eyed.
So yes, friend's weddings make me nervous, but that's only half the story. They are also my most satisfying weddings, and the most touching.
Congratulations, you two! I don't know another couple as perfectly suited for each other as you two are.
Married on Prom Night /
I arrived at Elizabeth Park on Friday for Ben and Chelsea's small, intimate wedding, and was confused to find... crowds of sharply dressed teenagers.
It turns out, Elizabeth Park is a popular spot for pre-prom photos.
Luckily, Chelsea and Ben had a couple of determined guests to help herd the crowds away from the gazebo, and everything went off without interruption.
After the ceremony, we did a bunch of group photos with their close family and friends. Then Chelsea, Ben, and I wandered around to find some beautiful spots for portraits.
It was a great time! Ben and Chelsea were easy going and have a great sense of humor.
Congrats Ben and Chelsea!
500 /
I'm out of town this weekend, so a quick post to celebrate hitting 500 straight days of taking a photo a day. It's a lot of fun, even though there are a lot of my fiance... our cat... our bedroom around 11:55PM.
Here are some of the more exciting ones.
#406 - The first photo shoot for my Shapeways shop.
#433 - A dramatic shot from a trip to NYC.
#457 - This crazy place.
#463 - This cute little guy who did not appreciate being picked up.
#493 - An unplanned wedding portrait.
#500 - A fitting ending, hanging with friends on the Cape!
Here's to another 100! Now back to work.
Alabama Meets Massachusetts /
I headed up to Westwood, MA yesterday with my second shooter Jeff to capture Lauren and Amy's wedding.
I knew going in we were going to have a great time - Lauren's bubbly personality and laid back style were definite good signs.
The wedding took place at Amy's parent's beautiful old home, with most of the festivities in a giant tent lovingly decorated and catered by Wicked Catering.
After a short, sweet, and funny ceremony, and a handful of posed photos, we quickly got down to the important things in life: food, drinks, and dancing!
Lauren's family, proud Alabamians, really represented for their home state. I had no idea "Roll Tide!" could be worked into so many popular songs!
All in all, a beautiful and fun day. Congratulations Lauren and Amy!
An Uncommon Engagement Shoot /
I met up with Marylou, Kevin, and their adorable dog (and Marylou's mom, professional dog wrangler) at Boston Commons on an overcast afternoon this weekend.
Despite the cold and the crowds we had no trouble getting lots of beautiful pictures for this couple and their pooch.
Also, I got the chance to do something I didn't even know I needed to do: take a photo on Acorn Street, arguably the most photographed street in the United States. I don't know if I believe that part, but it was definitely an amazing spot for some photos.
For a day I worried would get rained out, it went really well! I can't wait to work with Marylou and Kevin again for their wedding day!