Shannon Zastoupil Photography

Racine Wedding Photographer :: Melissa & Kyle

2011-06-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

For an early March wedding in Wisconsin, we lucked out with some great weather! Some places still had traces of snow, and the ground was mushy in others, but the sun was shining!! Melissa & Kyle had a quaint DIY wedding at the beautiful De Koven Center in Racine, WI. This gorgeous building overlooks Lake Michigan, and has architecture, fences and gardens that only photographers can dream of!

Brossman's catered the food and Miller's Florists of Racine provided the flowers.

Fireworks!!

2010-07-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

When I sat down with this bride back in March, I got goosebumps when she shared her story with me. She stressed the importance of the fireworks at the festival, and how all she wanted was a picture of her and her husband watching the fireworks. I envisioned the shot I wanted for months, and with dedication, skill (and a bit of luck!) I managed to make it happen for her, and for me! I also got a couple other good ones too.....take a look!

True love never dies

2010-06-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to capture a very special wedding recently. This happy couple attended highschool together many years ago, the each married and had children, and were reunited a couple years ago over a tragic event. This reunion sparked something between the two, and even though they live at opposite sides of the country, they didn't let that stop them from falling in love. They set aside an aisle special for those who were loved and lost, and also lit some candles in their memory. This ceremony was very sentimental to all involved, and turned out to be an amazing event!

Family Pics

2010-05-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

I was asked to get some photos of two beautiful little girls, and the youngest one just wasn't having it! She was absolutely adorable, and I think that I got some great pics on her bad day, however we tried it again on day two, and managed to pull off some more great ones! Big sister was a total trooper, and extremely cooperative, making this two day shoot a breeze! Enjoy!!

Maternity Shoot

2010-04-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Last fall, I photographed this couple's wedding, and it truly was a beautiful event. The way that they looked at eachother all day, you could tell they were in love.
Not too long after, I come to find out that they are expecting! I made it back up to Canada over my daughter's spring break and took some time to capture their little miracle in the making. Named after mom's late sister, little Elizabeth Candace is already loved by so many! Congratulations you guys! I can't wait to meet your precious princess!!

Twins boys

2010-03-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

I've been blessed with some wonderful friends! Earlier today a friend of mine brought her 6 month old twin boys over and we had some fun with the camera! Take a look at these little darlings, they are just adorable!

Spring has sprung!

2010-03-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

I was so excited the other day when I saw tiny little spurts of green in my garden. Spring is coming! I can hardly wait for the fresh smell of spring in the air, it's definitly one of the benefits of living in the midwest and experiencing the changing seasons. With the launch of my new site, and some dedication to promoting my business on the web, I have booked four weddings for 2010, and the leads are still coming in! This is so amazing and far exceeds my goals for 2010, 2011 is going to be even better, I can feel it! I have some availability for June and August yet, but July and May are booking up quick! I will be at the Bridal Expo in Wheeling, IL on May 15th promoting my business and hopefully making some new connections with brides for 2011. Visit http://www.bridalexpochicago.com/ for more details! Over the past week-end, I was lucky to have a newly engaged couple in my home studio for some cute engagement photos. I'll share a few of the favorites here.

New Website

2010-02-15T09:11:00.001-08:00

Alright, I've got a new website up and running with the help of my friend Laura! Go check it out, it's beautiful!!
In the meantime, here are some recent shots from a photo shoot I did over the week-end of a cutie-pie! He is a very serious 18month old boy, but once you get him going, he's a ham!

New Products!

2010-02-06T17:39:00.001-08:00

I'm super excited to introduce some wonderful new products....mainly for those newlyweds out there, but they can also come in handy for young parents too!!
The popular flush mount albums!! They are absolutely beautiful, and you must see them in person! They come in all sizes and page quantities!
Call me to set up a consultation and to view a couple sample albums!!

Looking forward

2009-12-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Things are going wonderful!! I have just reserved my space at the Bridal Expo on May 16th, 2010 in Wheeling, IL. This is going to be fantastic!! Over 350 registered brides perusing through the Expo in search of a vendor that will match their needs and budget! I can hardly wait to get in there and start booking some weddings!!!!! My husband has been very supportive of my new direction in the photography business. It's time to re-vamp my website, purchase some new equipment, accessories and build a beautiful portfolio! Tell all your friends!!!!

On-line Gallery

2009-12-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

I have added a great new feature to my business. An online gallery for customers to quickly view and place orders from their photo shoots! I'm really excited about this and hope that my customers will be too!! www.szphotography.lifepics.com

Let's do this!

2009-12-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm going to take the plunge! I'm super excited and cannot wait to get going with this......I'm going to start wedding photography! I've got my first wedding booked for August 2010, and I can hardly wait. The feeling is inexplicable, I just WANT so badly to capture those special moments on the most important day of their lives! Lately, it's been quite the obsession! At any rate, take a look at my website for more photos in my gallery as well as more information on wedding packages.

Collection A - $695, includes pre-ceremony, ceremony & formal poses at ceremony location. Also high resolution DVD of all images and an engagement shoot.

Collection B - $1295, includes pre-ceremony through to wedding party photos at an alternate location. Also includes an album containing 4x6 prints, high resolution DVD of all images and an engagement shoot.

Collection C - $1695, includes pre-ceremony through to reception coverage. Also includes an album containing 4x6 prints, high resolution DVD of all images and an engagement shoot.

Premium Collection - $2995, includes salon appointments through to reception coverage, DVD of all images, engagement shoot, as well as a 10x10 professionally bound abum with 18 pages (36 sides) of images from your special day. Also included are two 5 x 5 hard cover parents’ books containing 20 pages.

http://www.shannonzastoupilphotography.com/ ~ 262-945-8976 ~ shannonzastoupil@hotmail.com

Wedding Day

2009-11-12T06:37:00.001-08:00

Over the past week-end, I was privleged to attend and photograph my sister-in-law's wedding. They had hired a professional wedding photographer for the ceremony and formal pictures, but I tagged along and did my own thing too. It was a great experience, and a lot of fun. Their photographer did a great job, in both the wedding, and boosting my confidence! After seeing her results, and my own, I'm excited and reassured that I can and will be a successful wedding photographer one day.

Starting somewhere

2009-10-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm fairly new to blogging, but I'm going to give it a shot!
After speaking with my business savvy cousin, I became motivated to step it up a bit and do all I can to reach my dream. That dream?? To give the gift of time to as many people as I can reach....all through a tiny piece of glass that sits on the face of my Canon Rebel digital camera. Thats right, I'm a photographer. I love the sound of that. Hopefully I will be known as "the photographer" or, more importantly as "our photographer" to many people in Southeastern Wisconsin over the next several years.

However, as many others out there, my family feels the brunt of the recent recession. Unemployment has "allowed" me to begin this adventure and bring my dream to fruition, and with my husband nearly knocking on the door of unemployment himself costs to start up a business aren't easily attained.

You have to start somewhere right? So I'm starting in my basement. I like to say that it keeps me modest! Turning a small area into a workable space has actually worked out for me, and I'm happy to say that I've had remarkable results with very happy customers!
The best part of this new beginning? The savings of rent and utilities expenses is passed along to all of you!!

Pricing has to have been the absolute worst part of starting a business. What do you charge? What value should I place on freezing time for someone else? I want to be fair, I want to be affordable, I want EVERYONE to come to me!! Who doesn't??
Well I think I acheived the fair and affordable part.........now we just need to work on the customer base! Like I said, you have to start somewhere.......