Meet Zoe Martin | Premier Photographer serving North Dallas and Beyond

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

Hi Zoe, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Putting myself out there has been what has made my business a success. Moving from a small city of 80k to the DFW metroplex, it was necessary for me to get connected in the community. I tell people that I “network like my hair’s on fire.” If you have seen me at multiple networking events in a week, or even a day, it’s with intention. Staying in sight is how I’ve been able to build relationships that in turn lead to business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Everyone is a photographer these days; most of us don’t leave home without our phones. What sets me apart from everyone else is me. Having invested time, money, and experience in my photography has allowed me the opportunity to bring more than a photograph to my clients. Our team works together to bring them a memorable relationship and a service that goes beyond the session. Was it easy? Nothing worth having is easy. In all honesty, I almost went under recently. My sister, Kristina, lost her five year battle with breast cancer, so I took time off to spend time with her and then to grieve. Fortunately, when I got back to work, I had built a trusted network in the community who welcomed me back and have invested in themselves through my business. I’m pondering a way to honor Kristina through my business. That will probably be by giving back to Breast Cancer Research, but I’m still thinking it through. Lessons learned along the way? Make time for myself. As a business owner, I tend to put other’s needs above my own. There has to be a time for everything; we make time for what is important. It’s okay to step away and come back when you’re ready. What do I want the world to know? Whether you need portraits or not, I am happy to help connect you with synergy partners or point you to opportunities to get involved in the community. I’m a giver. I don’t just give to receive. As a matter of fact, the end of this article will include an opportunity for you to help give back to Collin County. I’ve started a giving circle, Caring for Collin County. We’d love for you to join!

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.
We’d have to go to the MillHouse and Cotton Mill in McKinney first. The MillHouse is a creative coworking space for women where some female photographers share a studio. On Tuesday, we’d attend the free Lunch Bunch that is from 11:00 am till noon. The Cotton Mill has a new coffee shop, White Box Roastery, and there is art on display in the hall. Since we were in downtown McKinney, we would shop in all the boutiques. There are so many, I know I’d leave something out if I tried to name them. We’d for sure kayak at the lake too. If the Allen Americans hockey team had a game, we would want to take in a game. The crowd is full of energy there. They would have to attend whichever networking groups are that week with me: The Girl Cave, Dallas Professional Women, Veritex Collin County Area Women in Business, Believer’s in Business, Veterans in Business, Mid Market Professionals Collin, McKinney Downtown Networking Group, or the Credit Union of Texas Event Center Business Networking Social. Sheesh, MOD Pizza, and the Italian Garden in McKinney would all be enjoyed. The HUB in Allen offers a variety of foods and they have neat events there too. And of course, I would want to take them to a Dallas Cowboys game after we visited shops at the Frisco Star.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so, so many encouraging supporters who’ve been instrumental in helping me get to where I am today. First, my incredible husband, Frank, aka My Sweet Babboo, and our three wonderful offsprin, Kenzy, Trevor, and Preston, who have sacrificed time with me while I have been building my business. Second, photography mentors: Sue Bryce, Megan DiPiero, John DeMato, Heidi Happanowicz, and Wendy K Yalom. Each of them had a hand in helping shape my client experience to create and deliver magic for everyone our team works with. Last, my in-laws, Phil and Gwen Benton, who helped purchase my first DSLR, my Mom, Dora Vela, for constantly encouraging me to pursue what I loved.

Website: https://www.thezoemartin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.zoe.martin/

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/thezoemartin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezoemartin

Other: https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/e7WiQnQ/Caring-for-Collin-County