Alaska-Bound! | South Central Alaska Photographer

Have you heard the news?

Zo-Mak Photography is Alaska-bound! 

Less than four months until Zo-Mak will be serving Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer and the surrounding areas of South Central Alaska for all your wedding, senior and family photography needs.

Leaving Montana is seriously a bummer  -- I've been blessed with incredible friends, clients and opportunities in Bozeman and Helena and throughout the state.  But I must admit I'm pretty darned excited about coming back to AK to raise our family and expand my photography business. 

The part of this relocation that gives me the most anxiety is reviving my client base.  But then again, I have an awesome opportunity to meet new folks and provide them with incredible service that I've come to be known for in Montana.

I've been the sole owner and proprietor of Zo-Mak Photo for over six years now, and I'm thrilled to take all I've learned and offer my expertise and experience to a whole new group of wonderful people throughout South Central AK. 

To celebrate the move, I'm offering some great incentives for my first clients of the year.  I've got deals going for weddings and seniors right now - and family session specials will be coming soon.

Contact me to chat -- you can email me at suzie@zomakphotography.com or call to reserve your date on the calendar.  406-600-2879

CLASS OF 2016 SENIORS:

Book your session now for summer of 2015 and save half off your session fee.  Even better: Refer your friends!  If two of your friends book a session, you'll get your session for free.  FREE!!! 

BRIDES AND GROOMS:

My first two weddings in Alaska will be offered at 25% off my current prices.  And the very FIRST couple to book me will be the lucky recipients of a 50% discount.  Half Off!  OMG! 

Another Baby Bearrow! | Helena, Montana Newborn Photographer

It was my pleasure to meet the newest member of the Bearrow family recently - he was perfect through the entire session and totally fired up my baby bug... Love, love love! 

It is the greatest honor when a client calls me to come photograph their loved ones more than once. These beautiful people have been with me since almost the beginning of my photography venture -- I photographed their older son, Sam, throughout his first year and their family once or twice. 

Thank you for the opportunity to come into your home again and to record these incredible  first days with another beautiful boy. 

 

Baby Mason | Helena, Montana newborn photographer

You know those people who come into your life and remind you to slow down and be thankful for every little thing you have?  

That's kind of how I felt when I met Kristin and Thayer a couple months ago for their maternity session.  They're a younger couple just starting to figure out this whole journey we call life (...aren't we all?) while at the same time the Dad is serving our country in the Army far from home. 

I think back to when my first daughter was born and how lost I would have been without my husband here with me every step of the way.  Suffice it to say I'm not sure how I would have made it through.

Kristin, you are doing an amazing job and I'm honored to have met you and your family, and to have frozen these moments of Mason in his first days.  The future is in his hands.

Thank you (all three of you) for making hard decisions and sacrifices that so many others can't even fathom.  

Congratulations on your perfect little guy.    

Baby Evie | Helena, Montana Newborn Baby Photographer

It's been a while since I've had a newborn in front of my lens, and I think I kind of forgot how amazing it is.  Little Evie is every bit as sweet and lovely as she appears in these images.  She slept for the majority of our session as her parents, auntie and grandma looked in on us.  Smiles spread infectiously from one person to another throughout the house the entire time we were together.

It's always amazing to me to watch the love of new parents -- and this time was no exception.  The whole world stops when you have a baby -- your first baby -- and nothing else matters.  Watching these loving parents with their precious little girl really made me step back and remember what is important in life.  There is nothing more incredible than this time in life.




Thank you for the opportunity to step into your lives and create these memories with you.  Can't wait to look through all your proofs with you.

Product Highlight: Digital Files | Helena Montana Photographer

Yes, everyone and their brother likes digital files these days.


In case you're wondering, you *can* get them from your session with Zo-Mak Photography.  You won't, however, just end up with any old disc in a clear jewel case and be on your way to print them  at Walgreen's.


Check out these beautiful customized tin cases and DVDs.  


Each digital purchase from Zo-Mak Photography includes a custom designed keepsake case and disc, and also comes with a spiral-bound proof book that includes every image on your disc printed at a professional photography lab.


Of course you're welcome to print your images wherever you'd like, since you now own the privilege to print them where you'd like.  (Keep in mind that if you purchased a low-resolution disc, the files will only print up to a 5x7.  If you'd like to print larger than that, you'll either need to purchase high resolution images or contact me to order a large print). 


You'll probably notice that if you take your disc to the 1-hour lab down the street, the color and quality will be far inferior to the prints in the proof book you ordered.  That's because the lab-down-the-street doesn't use the same quality printers, ink, and paper that my Pro Labs use.  They're also not calibrated.  In a nutshell, you'll probably be disappointed (do you remember my rant a while back on the problem with digital files?  No?  Go ahead -- click and check it out.  Then come back.  Yes, I've morphed and now sell them, but along with your purchase comes some education.


OK, so you've done your test print at the lab-down-the-street and decided perhaps I knew what I was talking about.  What to do... What to do?!


Well, first and foremost, DO NOT put them in a drawer and forget about them.  Can you imagine if we're talking about your WEDDING PICTURES and 50 years from now, your grandkids come across this weird looking round disc that they have no way of looking at?  The HORROR!  Seriously.

Here's what to do:


1. Go to Pinhole Press.  
2. Peruse around.  
3. Find things you love.  
4. Keep looking - you'll find more.  
5. Upload the images from your disc.  
6. Enter "ZoMakPhoto" in the "photographer code" section.  
7. Purchase. (Yup, they know me there.  It's nice to be known.  And to know that you'll be taken care of).
8. Go about your life, and rest assured that in a few short days, a very beautiful package will arrive at your door that you'll be proud to display and love forever.


After having spent so much time and putting so much love into making these memories, you might as well stick with the best.

:)

Happy shopping.   

Baby Jackson | Helena, Montana newborn photographer

Meet Jackson, a wonderfully perfect little guy who, at four weeks, slept better than most of the newborn babies I have photographed so far! I usually schedule newborn sessions within the first 10 days after birth, but due to Jackson being born a couple weeks early, and me being sick, this was as soon as we were able to get together. Must be it was meant to be, because each image I came to was sweeter than the last.

Welcome to the world, buddy! I look forward to watching you grow (and getting to know your mama better!)

Your favorite of 2011 | Helena, Montana Family and Child Photographer

It's time for another contest!

I've been going through all my images from 2011 so far and reminiscing about the clients, the sessions, and learning from each one. Somewhere along the way, I decided that a give-away needed to be involved. So I picked my 12 favorite images from this year to date (I tried to get it down to 10, but that just didn't happen....) and posted them in an album on Facebook. Now it's up to YOU all to decide which is your favorite.

Go to Suzie's Favs of 2011 -- Canvas Contest and vote for your favorite image by "liking" it (you'll have to "like" Zo-Mak Photography in order to like the image. But come on, tell the truth... you really Love Zo-Mak Photography, right??!!)

...I digress... The family whose image has the most votes by the end of the day Friday October 21 2011 will win a 16x20 or 16x24 gallery wrapped canvas of that image.

Ready?

Go!

Vote!!

Tell your friends!!!

Then call me to schedule your own session so you can some of your own memories preserved forever.

Baby Gracelyn | Helena, Montana Newborn Photographer

Aaaaaaah, babies. Everyone knows I love the cuddly, sweet smelling, soft and cozy little ones...... Little Miss Gracelyn is no exception! She reminded me a lot of my oldest daughter - the round chubby face, the thick tummy and chunky legs. Aaaaaaah. So perfect.

6 day old Zoey | Helena, Montana Newborn Baby Photographer

How could I not be smitten with another baby Zoey?!

I met this wonderfully loving mommy and daddy last month of the fourth of July for their maternity session, and had been eagerly awaiting their new addition! I'm pleased to introduce you to baby Zoey!

I hope I get the chance you see you all again soon!

Discounted Session/Print Information | Helena, MT Photographer

Thank you to everyone who entered to win my recent Facebook give away contest -- and special thanks to everyone who helped (and continues to help) spread the word about me in my new town!

I'm excited to offer a great deal to everyone who entered but wasn't chosen as the big winner. I'm a very generous soul, so here's my thank-you to everyone who responded to the July 15th post on Zo-Mak's facebook post titled "Giveaway time!"

In a nutshell, I'm offering you a half-priced session and 25% off a la carte print orders for sessions booked and completed before the end of September 2011.

Young or old, there's always a reason to celebrate and capture memories that disappear so quickly...

The fine print:

* Half price session fee for any of the following types of sessions: kids, family, couple, maternity, senior or pets (up to 5 people).

* Session must be held in the greater Helena area prior to September 30, 2011

* Minimum print order applies

* Session fee must be paid upon booking to hold your date on the calendar. Session fee is non-refundable; in case of poor weather, we will reschedule.

* Zo-Mak's referral program always applies! Tell people about your experience with Zo-Mak, tell them to tell me that you sent them, and you'll receive a free 8x12 print upon completion of their session as a thank-you!

* We're required to have fun. If you're not ready for fun, you can't come. For real ;)

Details on regular pricing for a la carte prints and collections can be found under the "details" tab on my website.

Call me at 406.600.2879 or email zo.mak.photography@gmail.com with questions.

Product Highlight: Image Boxes | Helena Bozeman Montana Photographer

Rest assured that when you receive your gallery, there are ways to receive one of everything! Here's one option: a custom designed image box consisting of one 4x6 or 5x7 of each image in your final proofing gallery. Choose your favorites to enlarge onto canvas or large prints, and put the rest into this timeless keepsake to look back on for years to come.

Pricing for image boxes as well as all other prints and products can be found on my website.

Estella | Helena Bozeman Montana Newborn Baby Photographer

I'm pretty sure I've said it before... If I had my way, I would photograph newborns all day, every day, for the rest of forever. I just adore them! The love between parents and a new baby is enough to brighten up even the darkest day, and the opportunity to cuddle an itty bitty doesn't hurt, either. Meet Estella, 10 days young.

Baby Ian | Bozeman Helena Montana Newborn Baby Photographer

It's my pleasure to introduce you to baby Ian, a total little sweetheart! I'm so glad I had the chance to meet him and his lovely parents. He gave me a bit of a marathon session, but it was totally worth every minute.

I can't not share this image. Besides the totally adorable wrinkles, I think the expression on his face is just as adorable as a smile! (I promise he didn't cry for long - it was just one of those quick fleeting moments!)

I'll be working feverishly this week to get through the rest of his images!

Baby Sam | Bozeman MT Newborn Baby Photographer

This adorable little guy was a first for me! He was due on January 25th, which would make him about a week and a half old when we had our session. However, little mister Sam decided to make his appearance almost three months ago! He gave his parents a big surprise in November when he decided to meet them, but he is totally healthy and perfect! I kept going back and forth in my head while preparing for this session regarding what to expect -- a newborn or an almost-three-month-old?

Well, regardless of what I expected, perfection is what I got. A perfectly sweet little guy who wasn't quite into sleeping as a newborn would be, but so full of sweetness that I didn't mind!

Congratulations on your perfect little bundle, Jessica! It was my pleasure to spend the morning with you both, and I hope I get the opportunity to have Sam as a model again!

Cooper | Bozeman & Helena MT Baby Photographer

I couldn't help myself. I needed to see a bunch of Cooper all on one page. I can't get enough of this cutie!

Searching for Newborns | Bozeman MT Newborn Baby Photographer

Help! I need some babies!

I'm going through newborn withdrawl!

If you or anyone you know is having a baby soon, send them my way! Remember - there's a great referral program for prior clients, and I'd love to offer more than 50% off the session fee for the first three newborns to book sessions this year*!!

*Update: As of 1/16, there are two spots available for this special.

2010: What a Year | Bozeman MT Photographer

Happy New Year!

Throughout the past few days I've been thinking a lot about my first full year in business -- the good, the bad, the must-work-on stuff, the stuff that needs to change, the stuff that needs to stay the same... I've been organizing and restructuring. But above it all I've been thinking of all the wonderful people I've met; all the amazing families who called on me to capture moments that otherwise would have gone by with the wind. It is because of each and every one of you that I am here today, thankful for every client, every image and every memory I've made. So thank you.

And with that, I pulled together a few of my very favorite images of the year.

Here's to many, many more beautiful memories in 2011!

(And for those of you who are curious, as I just moved all my data from 2010 off my working external drive, I saw a number larger than 28,000. Twenty-eight thousand images of YOU all. Wow. That's a lot!)

Baby Ella ~ Bozeman MT Newborn Photographer

Baby Ella's mommy warned me ahead of time that she's a very alert baby. Based on my experience, that word "alert" could have many different connotations. Lucky for me, this time it meant I was able to get lots and lots of images of her beautiful bright eyes. She is SO curious about everything going on in her little world, and didn't want to miss a beat!

More than half the images from our session look something like this with her gorgeous eyes totally wide open taking it all in:

However, with patience generally comes the beautiful sleepy baby shots that all new moms adore. Mmmmmmmmm.

I always love when Dads are eager to participate in photo sessions, especially ones with their newborn babies. There is something so pure, so simple, so amazing about seeing a brand new daddy with his little one. The love just poured out of this dad. Ella is one lucky little lady.

These tender moments are so powerful at this stage of new parents' lives. Seeing them with their precious new bundle took me right back to when my oldest daughter was born and reminded me how special this kind of love is.

I can't wait to show you more images in your gallery! Your baby is beautiful, and I'm honored to have had the opportunity to spend this time with you all!