Every year, it’s important to me that I do at least one educational opportunity to help me become an even better photographer and to better take care of my clients. This year, I almost didn’t do any official workshops or classes. And then, in the last quarter, I saw a super-limited opportunity for Skype Mentorships with my #1 photographer inspiration, Amanda Hedgepeth.

Believe me — if I never had to think about pricing or raising my prices, my behind-the-scenes world with Wendy Zook Photography would be SO much easier and happier. It’s not the most enjoyable part of running my business, but it is the essential part to me being able to continue to run my business and pay for expenses.

I’ve been so blessed with a beautiful, crazy, busy 2019 in my business and I have zero regrets or complaints about that. I do, however, want to make sure that I’m always keeping my time between all of the things I love — family, hobbies, work — balanced.

Every year in my photography business has brought me something — some lesson, some feeling, some major accomplishment. In some years, it is a year of learning. Some years have been times of growth.

I spend a lot of time in my little corner of the basement where my office lies. It started out as a slightly-cluttered, cold, disorganized space and it is now a nook that makes me happy. The systems I’ve put in place to not only work well but enjoy working there have been invaluable in […]

Photographers can be the WORST photography clients. We know too much; we think too much. Is this an odd angle for my body? How’s the background for bokeh? Is this sun too harsh here? We are the WORST. I especially hate being in front of the camera. I don’t like the spotlight being on me […]

Just here, wandering awkwardly and embarrassing myself in the name of making my clients more comfortable on their wedding day.  2017 truly has been an incredible year for me, personally and as a photographer. I’ve even had the two worlds meld together through my work with the National Down Syndrome Society and at weddings of […]

When I moved to Rochester, New York, two years ago, I was at a wild crossroads. My identity was all over the place — not only with new geographic surroundings and a new place to call home, but also with my still-new photography business that had just crossed state lines and plopped down in an […]

“One way to make the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” Photo by: Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs NY Rochester, New York will always be an incredibly important chapter in my life’s storybook. My time as a Rochester wedding photographer was beyond exciting, encouraging, uplifting and successful. I saw […]

When we had been in our Rochester home for about 18 months and decided we would stay for at least a long time, we wanted to make a house that was “us” and felt a little more adult — namely, getting rid of our inherited floral couches and coming up with storage for the plethora […]