Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Zunzanyika.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lisa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My photographic journey began in the military. I served 22 years in the Air Force as a Combat Photojournalist. I actually bear the honor and distinction of being the first African-American Female Combat Photojournalist in Air Force history.
During my career, I traveled the world documenting the military in peacetime, wartime, and humanitarian operations. I was a graduate of the Military Photojournalism Program at Syracuse University; where I learned to be a visual storyteller. I have photographed a myriad of people, places, things and situations; but over the years, I began to realize something about myself…I “see in portraits”. Everywhere I look. No matter what I’m doing. Camera or no camera. I “see in portraits”.
So fast forward to 2010, I’d recently retired and begun my freelance photography business, Simply Zee Imagery. My living room was my studio. I made it work, but I’d always wanted an actual photography studio in which to create. Fast-forward a few more years and a really long story short, I attended an open house at Westview Studios and I walked into Image 1st Studios and I stopped in my tracks. It was like I had Déjà Vu because the studio looked and felt so familiar to me. And then it dawned on me that I knew this space. I’d seen it before. It turns out it was the studio where my favorite Atlanta photographer, Kim Roseberry of She Driven Photography, created her iconic images! I so had a fangirl moment when I met her and the other amazing photographers of Image 1st Studios that night. The following year I became a member of Image 1st Studios.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Getting to where I am now has not been a direct path, but then again when is that ever the case in life? I LOVED my Air Force photographic career, but as I progressed through the ranks I became more of a manager and less of a photographer. As a result, I thought I’d fallen out of love with photography. When I retired, I decided to go to grad school to study something that was technical yet still creative. I earned an MS in Information Design and Communication thru which I learned technical writing, marketing communication, information design and website design. I graduated and for five years, I worked part-time as a webmaster.
Slowly, photography began to court me and we got back together…reunited and it feels so good!!! I started to book more clients whenever my schedule would allow. I had a REAL photography studio. Oh happy, happy, joy, joy!
But then life happened…I got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It was so bad I had to quit my part time job. It’s been a long physical, mental, and spiritual journey, but I’ve had to learn how to manage Fibromyalgia and still have a life rather than merely exist. But it hasn’t all been bad. In fact, Fibromyalgia has made it very clear to me just how important photography is to me and to my mental health. I am my best, happiest, biggest, brightest self when I am photographing someone!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Simply Zee Imagery – what should we know?
My company, Simply Zee Imagery, is a photography business that supports clients needing professional portraits, product shots, marketing collateral, and event coverage.
In addition to “seeing” portraits, I have an affinity for entrepreneurs. I combine my years of photojournalism and public relations experience with my marketing communication education to create imagery that attracts and connects my client to their ideal customer.
My military photographs have been featured in national and international military and civilian publications as well as books such as “This Is Our War: A Soldiers’ Portfolio: Servicemen’s Photographs of Life in Iraq” by Devin Friedman and the Editors of GQ.
Now as a freelance photographer and owner of Simply Zee Imagery, my mages can be found in books such as “Usability Testing Essentials: Ready, Set…Test!” by Carol M. Barnum and national magazines such as “Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine” Issue 19.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There so many people who have mentored and supported me over the years…really too many to mention. However, I must note the men and women I served with in 1st Combat Camera. Men like Cedric Rudisill, Dean Wagner, Marvin Preston and women like Rosie Reynolds and Janel Norton. They inspired me to become a PJ – a photojournalist.
Then there are the many photographers that I’ve trained throughout my career who reminded me that this gift of photography that I’ve been given is not mine to keep but to share.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my Aunt Jacci, who is convinced I invented the selfie. LOL She is one of my greatest cheerleaders because she always reminds me who I am. This is the meaning behind Simply Zee Imagery’s tagline: “Capturing the YOU that you wish you were but didn’t know you already ARE!”
Contact Info:
- Address: Westview Studios
1450 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW,
Atlanta, GA 30310 - Website: www.simplyzeeimagery.com
- Phone: 6785513326
- Email: lisa@simplyzeeimagery.com
- Instagram: @simplyzeeimagery.com
- Facebook: @simplyzeeimagery.com
Image Credit:
Simply Zee Imagery
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
