We’re looking forward to introducing you to Zachary Slack. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Zachary, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. Every time.
In real estate photography, intelligence helps you solve problems, and energy keeps you moving through long shoot days—but integrity is the one thing you can’t fake, replace, or repair once it’s gone.
I’ve watched the real estate world long enough to know this:
there are shortcuts everywhere, and plenty of people are willing to take them.
Listings get rushed. Promises get exaggerated. Fine print gets ignored.
People use photos they didn’t pay for… or try to cut corners hoping no one notices.
But in the long run, the person who values integrity wins—because clients remember who kept their word, delivered what they promised, showed up when they said they would, and treated the property, the homeowner, and the process with respect.
I can learn new tech.
I can generate more energy.
But integrity is built decision by decision, shoot by shoot, client by client.
So what’s most important to me?
Integrity—because it protects everything else.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Zack, owner of Sky Guys on Cedar Creek Lake, and I specialize in real estate photography and aerial drone media. What started in 2017 with a single drone and a lot of curiosity has grown into a trusted local brand serving realtors, Airbnb hosts, builders, and business owners across East Texas.
What makes Sky Guys unique is that we’re truly a family-run business that’s deeply rooted in this lake community. We don’t just take pictures—we create visual storytelling designed to help properties sell, businesses stand out, and clients look their best.
Our work highlights the lifestyle, character, and beauty of the Cedar Creek Lake area from both the ground and the sky. We pride ourselves on consistency, integrity, and delivering polished media that reflects the care and investment our clients put into their listings and businesses.
Right now, we’re continuing to grow our real estate media services—expanding our videography, refining our twilight photography, and working with more commercial clients who want imagery that sets them apart.
At the end of the day, Sky Guys is more than a photography service; it’s a connection to the lake community we love, and we’re proud to help our clients tell their stories one shot at a time.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In our experience—whether in business, creative work, or personal relationships—the thing that breaks bonds fastest is unmet expectations paired with a lack of communication. When people stop talking, stop listening, or start assuming, even strong connections can fray.
What restores bonds is often the opposite: honesty, consistency, and small acts of showing up again. In our work at Sky Guys, we’ve learned that trust is built (and rebuilt) through reliable follow-through, clear communication, and the willingness to own mistakes and do better.
Strong relationships—professional or personal—don’t come from perfection. They come from the commitment to stay aligned, stay humble, and keep showing up for each other. That’s something our business has lived firsthand, and it’s shaped how we treat our clients and how we run Sky Guys day to day.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
One thing I changed my mind about after failing hard is the idea that I had to do everything myself.
In the beginning, I believed that working harder, pushing more, and keeping full control was the only way to succeed. But eventually I hit a wall—not from lack of talent, but from trying to carry more than one person should.
That failure taught me something important: success isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about building systems, communicating clearly, and allowing other people to support the process—whether that’s family, clients, or the community we serve.
In real estate media, as in life, you grow quicker and stronger when you’re willing to adjust, ask for help, and rethink the way you work. That shift changed Sky Guys for the better, and it changed me too.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on most—outside of my own—come from my wife. She’s not only my life partner, but also the person behind our digital marketing, branding, and the overall direction of how Sky Guys shows up publicly.
She sees things I don’t.
She catches details I miss.
And she understands both the business and the heartbeat of this community in a way that keeps us grounded and growing.
I bring the technical side, the shooting, the creative eye behind the lens. She brings the strategy, the voice, and the ability to translate what we do into something people can instantly recognize and connect with.
Sky Guys may have started with one drone and one idea — but it became a real brand because of her perspective. Her ideas shape how we communicate, how we serve our clients, and how we evolve. I rely on that more than anything else.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
The thing I’m doing today that won’t fully pay off for 7–10 years is investing in the future of visual marketing.
AI, editing software, camera tech, drones—everything is evolving fast, and small businesses like ours have two choices: try to keep up, or fall behind.
Every year, I spend time learning new tools, testing new workflows, upgrading gear, and refining how we deliver media. Most of that investment doesn’t pay off immediately. But in the long run, it builds a foundation that keeps Sky Guys relevant in a world where technology changes overnight.
I’m also investing in something less obvious but just as important: local presence.
A lot of agents, especially new ones, think they have to call a Dallas company for high-quality media. They don’t always realize that the level of skill, consistency, and professionalism they’re looking for is already in their own backyard.
So the work we’re doing now—showing up, educating, creating content, staying visible in the community—might not explode into results today. But in 7–10 years, when tech is even more advanced and local relationships matter even more, that foundation will be the reason we’re still here, still trusted, and still serving the Cedar Creek Lake area with the same integrity we started with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SkyGuysCCL.com
- Instagram: @skyguysccl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyGuysCedarCreekLake
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1PXzSh_5DV8-l90e5nY3Og
