Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Zumwalt.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve never been the type to be able to work for someone other than myself. Call me independent.. because that’s a nice way to describe people who have to be their own bosses. 🙂 I started out in 2002 running my first business designing handmade bridal headpieces and accessories. I did that for over 10 years and had a lot of great success, but during the collapse in 2008 and the birth of Etsy (oy) my once successful business took a nose dive.
At that time in my life, I had just gotten divorced, had 4 kids to support, and needed to find another way to get back to a successful career like the one I had built for myself a few years earlier. I learned how to make/decorate wedding cakes and do fondant and sugar work, so I added that in on the side of my dwindling bridal business for about a year or two, but it was way too time-consuming for a single mom of 4 boys. I had always been interested in photography but never had a good camera.
My now-husband introduced me to my first DSLR in 2008 and by 2009 I was transitioning from bridal accessory/cake design to wedding photography with full force. There was one year where I was doing all three, but soon after, I left the first two behind and was a full-time photographer.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t know if I’d call it smooth, but it wasn’t terribly rocky either. I took the “learn as you go” approach and realize now that I should have apprenticed with someone first. But then, that’s not my style. When I set my mind to something, I put on blinders and it’s 100% forward at full force for me.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Amy Zumwalt Photographers – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My heart is with couples who want an adventure. I love elopements. I love to travel. My favorite wedding travel so far? Iceland. Close seconds? Switzerland. St Lucia. Colorado.
I love jumping into a new location (even if it’s local, but definitely when it’s not) and feeling it out with my lenses. I get insanely bored if I feel like I’m repeating too much of the same thing, or not being creative. I know a lot of photographers who prefer a formulaic approach to a wedding day, but even when I shoot at the same venue I’ve been at several times before, I’m always looking for something different. A different way to shoot the dress. A different way to shoot the first look. I’m really competitive and I am always wanting to outdo myself and anyone else who has ever shot at a particular location or venue.
My goal is to be shooting mostly elopements or small destination weddings by 2022. I want to connect with those adventurous couples who say “Hey, why spend $30-40,000 here for a wedding when we could spend half of that and elope in an empty castle in Ireland, or on Black Beach in Iceland, or on the streets of Paris. Let’s go somewhere unforgettable and have the most memorable experience humanly possible!” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been traveling somewhere across the world and said “THAT spot there! That would be the most incredible spot for some vow exchanging!”
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The Dallas are is cool because there ARE so many venues. It keeps things interesting. We have great city spaces for dramatic light and shadow work. We have areas like Weatherford and Quinlan where there are open spaces and cool landscape. What do I like least? Well, I’m from Seattle originally, so the summers are a bit brutal to me, and I definitely wish we had some forests, mountains and foggy days!
Contact Info:
- Website: amyzumwalt.com
- Phone: 8178816676
- Email: info@amyzumwalt.com
- Instagram: @amyzumwaltphoto
- Facebook: @amyzumwaltphoto
Image Credit:
Nicole Riggs photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
