What first inspired you to start shooting pictures?

My cousin went to [my high school] before me, and she was very photography-oriented. She would always go to games and take photos for them. I asked her if I was able to try it, and when I did, I realized this was something I really enjoyed. At first, I was just taking pictures of the sky—they weren’t very good, but I loved the process. So when I was a freshman at my highschool, I started getting more involved in photography. Watching my cousin take photos is what led me on the path to start taking my own.

What subjects or themes do you like to photograph the most?

Even though it’s a really long process to go through the photos, I love taking photos of sports.  I’ve photographed lacrosse and hockey games, and it really pulls me into the action, making me feel more involved. I also enjoy taking photos at school dances—they’re a lot of fun to capture. I know a lot of people take more “creative” photography with models and staged scenes, but I enjoy photographing real moments as they happen. There’s something special about taking pictures of ongoing actions and genuine moments.

Have you ever been commissioned for your photography?

I took the initiative to take photos for my brother’s hockey game in Wall, New Jersey. After that, he asked if I wanted to become the photographer for the Wall hockey team, and I’m definitely excited to start taking pictures for them next year. Another event was when my friend invited me to take photos at a girls’ lacrosse game in Neptune, New Jersey. They didn’t have any photographers, so I stepped in. Because of that experience, I also got the chance to show my work to the Long Branch lacrosse coach. As of now, those are the only two times I’ve been officially asked to photograph events. I usually just ask around or sign up to take photos for games or events.

Has photography impacted the way you see the world at all?

Photography has honestly made me more appreciative of nature. I’ve really started to enjoy going out and taking photos outside. Some days I’ll just go down to the docks and take photos of the water and the birds. It’s honestly just opened my eyes more. I used to not be as appreciative of the world that we live in and how important it is to be captured. But as more people come, it’s gonna all start to go away. I feel like it’s important to take pictures of what the world is now.

What role does social media play in your photography?

My social media has played a really big role for me in photography. Not only do I run my own photography Instagram account, but seeing posts from more experienced photographers—especially those capturing concerts or nature— makes me more inclined to want to try that stuff. One of my goals is to one day take photos at concerts. Whenever I see a photo on my feed that’s unique, I want to go out and try that. Testing my abilities and seeing how far they can take me has helped me grow a lot. I’m always working on finding ways to make my photos stand out and to add more variety to my work.

Where do you hope your photography journey takes you in the future? Do you see it as a potential career or more of a passion?

At this point in my life, I’m honestly not that sure. But going forward, I definitely want photography to be included in my life in some sort of way. I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s made me a better person. Everyone has their sports, or their drawings, but before photography, I didn’t really have a hobby. Honestly, taking pictures has made me happier and more motivated to get out and capture the world around me. It’s become a passion of mine, and I know I want it to be part of my future, even if I’m not sure how yet. There are so many different paths I can try, and you never know what could come next.

You can follow Zach’s journey on Instagram: @capturedbyzerbe