Prints are so personal. They tell a story, bring us joy, and show the moments that make up the fabric of our lives. We want to hear your story and about the photos in your life. It’s part of our Believe in Print campaign. Let’s start with member Cathy Zielske of CZ Design and why she prints.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Cathy Zielske, a woman, wife, mother, graphic designer, storyteller, and photographer as it relates to all of those descriptions.
While I’ve made my career as a graphic designer, primarily in the print realm as a publication designer and art director, I also make my living in the scrapbook and card industry, creating products, teaching online classes and tutorials. One of the most central elements to a scrapbooker is the photograph, so it’s been a great fit for me to bring my passion for images and words to this hobby. I just never guessed that my passion for pictures would have fit in so nicely with a career I never imagined I would have.
How has photography been a part of your life?
I got my first Instamatic camera when I was about 9 years old. I feel like I need to thank my parents for all of the cameras that would follow because it cultivated my love of the still image. From having old-school Polaroid cameras to my first 35 mm, a Minolta model, to my first big camera after college (a Nikon F3), taking photos has been the primary way that I’ve documented the life I’ve had and am presently living.
Of course, once kids entered the picture, I took photos to mark the time and as I sit here now, the parent of a 21-year-old and an 18-year-old, even though I took countless rolls of film and later digital images over the years, I still feel like I could have taken more. The images help me to remember. The images show me this remarkable life I have lived and it keeps me grateful.
Why is important for you to print your images?
I print photos and photo book to engage with my images in a real and tangible way. I’m old school AND new school. While I love the digital realm of the iPhone and the cloud and all the modern stuff we have today, I still want to flip through a book and see my representation of how I have seen my life.
What is your favorite photograph you’ve taken or favorite photo of yourself?
A favorite shot (it’s so hard to pick one, you know?), is this photo of my daughter on her high school graduation day. She just exudes the thrill and joy of what is coming next. I realize I’m a little biased because she’s my child, but she’s so lovely and hard working and the year that followed was challenging for her, as she didn’t love the school she chose and ended up transferring to a small liberal arts college, which turned out to be the best thing possible for her. This photo just reminds me that nothing is written in stone and it’s our job in life to respond to what comes and make the most of every opportunity.
Thank you, Cathy. Do you have a story you would like to share with us? We’d love to hear it. Feel free to drop us a line at socialmedia@printique.com.
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