Meet Zach Connor: Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach Connor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zach, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
For me the most important factor behind my success is getting out into the public eye. There are always small victories when it come to photography (the biggest one being people enjoying my work) but in order to be successful I have to get my work out into the public eye and earn income from it. Right now photography is a passion and hobby. Being successful would mean it is a passion and a career. Getting recognized more often, getting my work out there, growing my social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are all steps to make that happen.

What should our readers know about your business?
Photograph the world to help open the eyes of those who are blind to it, and enrich the minds of those who see it differently than you. This is the business motto I came up with a long time ago and it is something I practice, and keep in mind whenever I am on shoot. This applies for no matter what I am shooting, nature, landscapes, portraits… doesn’t matter. So many people do not see the beauty in the world, and I think it’s my responsibility as a photographer and artist to share it with them. To be honest when I first started photography I never thought it would go far. But I found a passion in it unlike anything else I have ever had and I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I am completely self taught so overcoming hurdles with learning the concepts of photography, the gear, the rules of light etc. was definitely a challenge. It takes patience, and a lot of trial and error. Another photographer whom I look up to and inspired me when I first started said, “You will know you are growing as a photographer if you ever go back and look at the images you took when you first started and think to your self… man those are terrible.” I still remember that, and think about it when out shooting. Another challenge that a lot of folks have today in this line of work is getting recognized, and setting themsleves apart. There are probably close to 10,000x more photographers in today’s world than say 20 years ago. Technology has come a long way and digital cameras / editing software have evolved almost to the point where you don’t need to know much about photography in order to be successful. Anyone can take pictures, but not everyone can be a photographer. It takes time to learn and hone a skill just like everything else. Time, frustration, doubt, excitement… pretty much every emotion comes into play in this field. So the challenge is, how can you be different. If there is a line of photographers around Maroon Lake in the fall taking a sunrise photo of Maroon Bells, how can you challenge yourself to capture it a different way, because when people at home are scrolling through their feeds, or looking for images and seeing the same thing over and over again, yours is going to be the one they stop on. I don’t what I can say for wanting the world to know about my brand… I try to let my work do most of the talking and I hope to continue to grow and learn as I press on down the path.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I mean it’s Colorado… can’t really go wrong anywhere you go! But, if I HAD to pick one specific location to take them it would have to be Ouray and the San Juan Mountain range. This area of Colorado is unbelievably beautiful, and Ouray is personally my favorite Mountain town in the state. There is so much to see and do there that you will never be bored, and you will be surrounded by some of the best views in the country. Old mining towns? You got it? 14ers? Yep. Ice climbing? Best in the state. Hiking? Look up Yankee Boy Basin, you’re welcome 🙂 Fall colors? San Juans in the fall provide the best colors around. Winter activities? Did I mention the best ice climbing in the state? Not enough? How about a horse drawn carriage ride, then snowmobiling and a natural geothermal mineral hot spring to relax in afterwards? Uh, yes please! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh man, that’s a great question! I don’t think it would be fair for me to recognize just one person as there have been so many in my life that have supported me, and had influence on my passion for photography. To list a few, definitely my Mom. She is by far my biggest fan and has always been there for me day one. The other one I have to recognize would be my wife Heather. If you know anyone who is serious about photography you know two things about it… it’s expensive and it can be boring (if you’re not the one taking the pictures haha!). Heather has been there, in the freezing cold, in the scorching hot, in the rain, in the middle of the night, sleeping in the seat next to me during road trips… all so I can pursue what I am passionate about. I can’t thank or say enough about how much that meant, means, and will mean to me.

Website: www.zrcphotography.com
Instagram: @zrc_photography
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zrcphotography
Other: I encourage anyone looking for photographs of our beautiful state to also join our Facebook group Colorful Colorado Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/colorfulcoloradocollective

Image Credits
ZRC Photography