Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Mikolajczak.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hello, my name is Zachary. I am a Master photographer based out of Buffalo, NY. Growing up I always had a passion for nature. When I was just 7 I picked up my first camera and started capturing deer and wildlife with a 35mm wind-up disposable camera, which went fast! Those cameras went so fast I was buying a new one pretty much every day, but hey I was only 7! Fast forward many years of Accomplishments and here I am. My passion for photography really took off in my early twenties and ever since then I have not looked back. Currently, I travel the world capturing memories for clients everywhere. My passion is with landscape photography as nothing can beat the pure beauty of nature and its playground of sights. Although my passion and love is with landscape. I also do weddings/engagements/elopement/portraiture/family etc. Photography is an always developing field with many new things to learn and there is something that we can all better ourselves in if we take the time to learn and get better. Learning never stops as with anything in life but to become the best at your craft you can’t settle for being just good, you have to push forward and learn even more than you thought was out there and possible. There is still a lot I would love to learn and helping others along the journey is always worth it. While traveling I have met some of the most amazing people and photographers and happy to still be in touch with them to this day. While I’m out looking for a location and it’s just me and my camera in my hands, I feel like I’m on top of the world. Nothing is out of my reach when I’m looking to capture a new shot and I have such a creative eye that really tells a story with each shot I capture. Capturing an image is not just about clicking the shutter but clicking that shutter with a purpose, an intent to freeze that moment in time to share with billions of others to understand the importance of why that shot was taken. Photography to me has been an outlet to a better path and life. Growing up was not the easiest for me. My family was not really there for me as most kids probably have. My parents were divorced and had joint custody of me. My mother was a drunk and was never really around and my father was disabled with a back injury so he could not physically do anything much with me. As a kid and growing up I was very alone. I had my older sister but we are eight years apart and she would mostly be with her crowd or school etc. so I was always on my own. Not really having anyone to talk to growing up made me cherish and really appreciate the little things in life. Fast forward again to the present and here we are! My life has blessed me with an Amazing Wife named Jessica and our two beautiful children, our daughter Gracie and son Rylan. Life has been a roller coaster to say the least but having a family of my own has been a huge eye-opener to what is truly important and valued in life. My family is my backbone and supports me and my passion and love for photography and I am grateful to have them alongside me for everything. Believing in yourself and your passion is super important, no matter what your passion may be doing. For me, I owe a lot to photography as it has shaped me into an incredible Husband, Father and overall individual. The best advice I can give anyone in life is to find something you truly love and give it your all. Most importantly, Do NOT do things strictly for money but do them for love and passion and I promise you that nothing will be more rewarding in the long run. Hopefully, my story has inspired some to go out there and get after what they love!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not! A lot of bumps in the road, but if you love something, you do not give up! Starting out really digging into photography was very overwhelming on all the things to learn. Struggles would include; lighting, settings, flash, perspectives, poses, marketing, etc. Struggles were tough but learning never ends. Every day was a new reason to wake up and learn one piece at a time. Lots or Reading and watching videos to learn and countless hours of practice and doing things hands-on was the biggest successor. Never give up!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Master photographer, also viewed as a camera artist. I specialize in Landscape photography and known for my keen eye to perspective when capturing a location. I am most proud of my style being natural and true and no photoshop or fake skies etc. All of my photos capture the real true beauty of the world we live in. What sets me apart from others is a phrase that I came up with a long time ago, ” I go where others won’t, to get the shots that others don’t” -Zachary Mikolajczak
In short, explanation is when there is danger in the way of getting a shot or I have to put myself in a tough situation to make a shot happen, there is no hesitation and I find a way to make it happen to get my shot to make it that much more epic!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The best piece of advice I could give anyone starting out with photography is to get off AUTO mode immediately. Putting yourself in manual mode gives you the opportunity to start being a creative and to make art. Manual mode gives you the capability to adjust your camera to YOUR vision and not just what the camera wants to see. Alongside that advice is DO NOT give up. There will be a lot to learn but keep practicing and you will soon see why photography is so fun and rewarding.
Pricing:
- Landscape Prints: Start out at $100.00 USD
- Weddings: Start out at $1700.00 USD
- Elopements: Start out at $1500.00 USD
- Training Workshops & Classes: Start out at $100.00 USD
Contact Info:
- Website: Zjgphotography.zenfolio.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Zjgphotography
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Zackmicky
Image Credits
Zachary Mikolajczak
