Hidden Gems: Meet Zion Butler of CannonEventsDaily

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zion Butler.

Hi Zion, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started photography in 2022 after being inspired by my childhood friend Tevin, who was finding high success on different social media platforms , gaining an huge audience. At first, I wanted to create public interviews and trending videos, so that’s what I studied. I approached it like a business from day one—learning scriptwriting, analytics, and camera tech. My aunt bought me my first camera, a Sony A6400, and the moment I started shooting street photography and small creative projects, I fell in love with the craft.

My early work in Atlanta gained traction quickly, especially after shooting social media comedians like Scat Pack and Lil Nard. From 2022 to 2023, I taught myself everything through trial and error, developing a distinct style as I built my name in the city.

In 2024, while taking an art class at GSU, I connected with the modeling organization Infinite Appeal, which led to an internship with the celebrity fashion brand Alani Taylor and their manufacturing company, TheLabCo. Eventually, Murph, the owner, offered me a full-time paid position as the head media personnel. After some time, I decided to step away from Georgia State and focus fully on that opportunity.

Working in fashion media completely shifted my perspective—I learned that great visuals mean nothing if you can’t market them, and that mindset elevated my entire approach to creativity.

Through this journey, I realized that fashion photography is truly my passion. The mix of creative styling and my personal visual identity is what sets my work apart. I also grew as a person—becoming more confident and conversational despite being naturally introverted.

Recently, I made the decision to pursue long-term stability and joined the United States Air Force. I ship out March 6. While my professional photography is paused for now, I plan to study at SCAD online and continue sharpening my skills in both photography and marketing so that when I return, I can elevate my work to the highest level.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This creative path has definitely not always been smooth, especially as a self taught creative. Learning the camera itself was relatively simple. Teaching myself how to operate in a studio setting was pretty difficult. And don’t get me started on the business aspect. As a creative this is a factor that we tend to overlook and not learn about. But a mix of these and personal hardship made my creative path difficult. But one thing I can say is that everything worked out for the greater good of my creative business no tears were wasted, and there was many lessons to learn in every stage of it even now.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CannonEventsDaily ?
My brand is bold and elegant, specializing in fashion editorials and campaign-level imagery. I’m known for consistently strong photos—from high-quality execution to thoughtful model selection and creative direction. What really sets me apart from most photographers in Atlanta is my professionalism, my real experience inside the fashion industry, and my hybrid media ability to create both still and moving visuals at a high standard.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done with the celebrity fashion brand Alani Taylor and TheLabCo, as well as having my own studio in Austell, Georgia. Those opportunities taught me how to blend technical skill with a strong artistic vision.

At the core of my brand is a simple mission: you bring the vision, and I bring it into frame. I’m committed to elite quality, strong work ethic, and creating a safe, comfortable environment on set—all while being completely self-taught.

As I head into the U.S. Air Force, my professional work is briefly paused, but when I return I plan to re-enter the industry, refine my media focus, and continue elevating my brand to the highest level.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up between Macon, Georgia and Twiggs County, mostly in a very quiet, secluded environment. I’m the youngest of all my siblings, so I spent a lot of time alone, which made me really observant and imaginative. My grandmother on my dad’s side was a preacher, and she brought out the outgoing side of me—I loved helping her, even cleaning the house just to make her happy.

Growing up, I was into gaming, sports, and music, and people always pointed out my leadership traits and how respectful I was. I didn’t have instructors to guide me creatively, but I was always a tech-savvy kid who loved building Legos, thinking deeply, and even writing little stories. Looking back, there weren’t signs that I’d become a photographer, but there were definitely signs I’d end up doing something creative and technology-driven.

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