Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Morris.
Hi Zack, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Photography had always been a hobby of mine since I had graduated high school. I started learning how to use a professional-level camera exploring the Texas A&M campus when I wasn’t studying or working in my architectural design studios. I had graduated from Texas A&M in 2010 with my degree in architecture, and unfortunately, no firms were hiring people immediately out of school due to the recession. While I was figuring out what I could do, I was encouraged to take some photography classes to learn how to use my camera more effectively. I started looking into using this talent as a side business, while I was working wherever I could. I landed jobs where I could, which continued to develop my skills and understanding over the next several years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely been a difficult road, mainly dealing with long periods of little to no work. With this business being a secondary income stream, it was never pushed very hard to be sustainable. Recently, however, my desire to grow my skills and the business has become more pressing, so I have pushed to become better, and more desirable of a photographer to work with.
The next biggest struggle has been competing with established names that have much bigger budgets and better equipment than I do. Fortunately, I have been building strong working relationships with up-and-coming models in the Lubbock and Dallas areas to help build my portfolio as well as theirs.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
ZMDesigns is a collection of several creative ventures under one umbrella, the largest and most effective venture is ZMPhotography. The other I practice is graphic design and logo design.
ZMPhotography is where I put most of my focus outside of my regular day job. I do photography of all kinds: weddings, portraits, headshots, families, architecture, and many others. Recently, I have been developing my portrait photography, usually meeting up with local models trying to build their portfolios. My pride lies in the relationships I build with the people I photograph; my goal is to create a working relationship and a quality of work that encourages returning clients with new work. My hope is with each session, I become a little bit better by learning from my mistakes.
ZMDesigns is a fledgling wing of my business that is slowly growing into its own, designing logos, posters, and miscellaneous items for churches and new businesses.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid definitely made doing anything in the photography field difficult. Since photo jobs were scarce, I started watching YouTube videos, learning how to continue enhancing my skills either taking photos or editing with Adobe Lightroom. Once people were willing to start coming back out, I used all of the things I learned and used them in my practice, and I started to see massive improvements in the end results. I would say I’m dramatically better now as a result from the Covid lockdowns.
Pricing:
- Weddings – $500/Hr
- Special Events (Reunion, Business Outing, etc.) – $350/Hr
- Engagement – $200/Hr
- Family/Maternity – $175/Hr
- Portraits (Model, Senior, etc.) – $150/Hr
Contact Info:
- Email: zmorrisphoto@gmail.com
- Website: https://zmphoto.smugmug.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zmorrisphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZMorrisDesigns
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZackMorrisPhoto
Image Credits:
Jennifer Herrera
Mackenzie Brattain
Kortnie Koebel
