My interest in photography began in 2018, somewhere between the towering peaks and quiet forests of the Appalachian Trail. Back then, it was just me, an iPhone, and a desire to share moments of awe with the people I loved. That trail gave me more than photographs—it gave me my future wife and a profound understanding of how fleeting our experiences are.
Looking back, I wish I had better tools to document those moments. 

After the trail, we traded boots for wheels, living on the road for two years in a van. This time, I had a camera in hand and a commitment to capturing more than landscapes—I wanted to document the the subtle, and the awe-inspiring places and people that make this country so extraordinary. Photography became more than an interest; it became a way to connect with the world on a deeper level.

These experiences sparked not only a passion for capturing moments but also a deep commitment to protecting the wild places that inspire them. That’s why a portion of every photography session I book goes directly toward preserving habitats and safeguarding wildlife.

Whether it’s your wedding day, a quiet family moment, or the wild spirit of an intimate elopement, my goal is to help you preserve your story in a way that feels honest, timeless, and true. Together, we’ll create images that honor your journey and make an impact beyond the frame.

Let’s connect through my contact page.

Hey, I'm Zak

Kind Words.

  • Tyler G.

    Awesome photographer and an absolute joy to work or just hang out with. Zak is very personable and has a knack for capturing special moments. From weddings to destination shoots, he's always been there for me.

  • Fallon J.

    Zak is really great at making you feel comfortable behind the camera, and his pictures come out beautiful. I was so impressed when I saw some of the shots that he took of me. He has such an artistic eye for creating a stunning image.

  • Taryn O'Brien

    Wonderful, caring, genuine, and fun- These are just a few of the words I would use to describe a photo session with Zak. It is so easy for photography sessions to feel flat and superficial, but every single moment of our engagement shoot with Zak felt like it was a true endeavor to capture the most genuine moments the love my fiancé and I have for each other. I had no doubt that the finished product would be amazing, but when we received our photos the adjective that I thought of the most was “magical”. Zak has an incredible eye for capturing moments in time of the subjects with subtle references to pieces that make them…well…them.

  • Willow Schanz

    It was a pleasure to have Zak capture our surprise engagement this past week! He is beyond talented and a very intentional artist, which shines through in all of his pictures. He scouted the proposal location before we arrived and knew the best spots along our favorite trail to catch beautiful backgrounds and perfect lighting. Despite us never having professional pictures taken before, Zak made us feel comfortable right off the bat, and we were so impressed by his kindness and ideas for poses (including with our dog!). We also appreciated how quickly our pictures were available to share with family and friends!e

  • Paul C.

    Zak did a fantastic job with our engagement photos! He was quick to respond, super friendly, easy to work with, and took fantastic photos. We plan to call him for any photography we need in the future!

  • Stephanie N.

    I got the opportunity to meet Zak while in the downtown area, before evening meeting him, you could tell how welcoming and kind he was, he took some pictures of me and my friends, and it’s was really one of the most genuine photographs we’ve ever taken. I got sent the results and he’s truly talented. I’m actually planning to get one of the group pictures he took printed out!!

I offer two complimentary sessions a year for nonprofits and families—reach out to see my next opening.  

10% of all proceeds go toward protecting our planet's wilderness and wildlife.