My name is Tyson Zahner. I am a husband, father, musician, teacher, technology junky and oh yeah . . . photographer.  My love for music began before Kindergarten.  My affinity for buying expensive stuff began when I got my first job. My affair with computers and technology is one that I must daily assure my wife is non-threatening, and my fascination with photography began when I took a 9th grade course in photographic techniques.

I was a full time music teacher/choral director for 11 years, and I must admit that music was always my first love.  But in Oct. 2006, my passion for photography was re-kindled.  Our very close friends had their first born daughter on Oct. 14 and seeing that I had some photography experience, I sort of became this little girl’s personal photographer.  It was so much fun, and I was expressing my creativity in a way that I had not done in a long while.  Wishing to spread this gift to others, I began photographing close family members and friends.  Through word of mouth, I started booking photo sessions for colleagues, neighbors and total strangers.

From that point forward, I can’t think of a better description of what happened than “the snowball effect”.  We started slow in 2006 picking up a little momentum here and there as word began to spread and we took on new clients.  In 2007, photography was part time at best taking up maybe 5-10 total hours per week.  In 2008, that jumped drastically to the point where I started to consider whether or not I would continue in my teaching career.  I did continue teaching, but 2009 was ridiculously busy.  I was working 40 hours a week for the school district and then coming home and working at least another 50-60 hours in photography.  We shot over 20 weddings in 2009 and nearly 150 seniors plus numerous children, newborn, maternity and family sessions as well.  At that point, it was abundantly clear that I was at a cross-roads and it was time to make a decision.  Photography won and I sent in my letter of resignation to the board of education early in 2010 to let them know I would not be renewing my contract for the following school year.

So far it has proven to be the right decision.  I have two beautiful children with whom I actually have time to spend with now.  I have a wonderfully supportive wife who also works in the photography business (and runs our shaved Ice business, Ty’s Summer Sno), and she’s an amazing mom on top of all that.  With two little ones at home, I’m pretty sure I won’t be putting my camera down for quite a while (plus I need to find a way to contribute to their college fund). If you like what you see here, contact me so I can capture life’s most treasured moments for you too.