We had the good fortune of connecting with Zuri & Zara Blanco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zuri & Zara, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My sister and I have always shared a creative bond. We grew up with a love for storytelling, memory-making, and finding beauty in the details most people overlook. Pursuing a creative career together felt like a natural extension of who we are. Photography, especially in weddings, provides us with the opportunity to capture raw, emotional, and once-in-a-lifetime moments and transform them into art. It’s more than just a career for us; it’s a shared passion, a purpose, and a way to celebrate love through our own lens as sisters and storytellers

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At Z and Z Image, our art is rooted in storytelling. Capturing love, connection, and the quiet in-between moments that often go unnoticed. What sets us apart is not just our sister dynamic, but the energy and perspective we bring as two women who are deeply connected, both to each other and to our work. We shoot with heart, we direct with care, and we’re always tuned into emotion over perfection.

We’re most proud of the fact that our clients walk away not just with beautiful photos and films, but with a genuine experience. We create space where people can be themselves, feel seen, and feel celebrated. That’s the magic we strive to capture in every frame.

Getting to where we are today definitely wasn’t easy. Like many creatives, we’ve faced seasons of burnout, self-doubt, and even stepping away from the business for a time. But every pause taught us how much we value what we do and reminded us why we started. The biggest lesson has been to trust our pace, lean on each other, and keep showing up with intention.

We want the world to know that Z and Z Image is more than just a photo and video brand. It’s a partnership built on love, creativity, and sisterhood, and it’s a service rooted in honoring yours. Whether it’s your wedding day or a simple moment you want to remember forever, we’re here to document it with honesty, warmth, and care.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to grow into more destination weddings, deepen our videography work, and continue building connections with clients who value emotion-driven storytelling. Our dream is to keep expanding not just in size, but in the depth and reach of the stories we tell.

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.
If my best friend came to visit Lakeland, I’d show them the heart of the city, full of charm, creativity, and community.

We’d start with Breakfast Black & Brew and continue with a walk through Downtown Lakeland, then explore the peaceful beauty of Hollis Garden and Bonnet Springs Park. We’d stop for coffee at Concord Coffee, shop local at the Farmers Market, and grab dinner at gems like Nineteen61.

For a quick escape, we’d visit Bok Tower Gardens, and finish the trip with wine at The Joinery and a lakeside stroll by the swans at Lake Morton.

Lakeland has this creative, cozy vibe, and I love giving people a glimpse of that side of Florida.

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?
Our journey with Z and Z Image wouldn’t be what it is without the love and support of our family, especially our parents, who always nurtured our creativity. A special shoutout goes to our cousin and fellow creative, MAS Memories. Having someone in the family who also works in photography has been such a source of inspiration, encouragement, and support.

We also want to recognize Albriana Shante, a talented wedding planner who has trusted us with her clients and believed in our work from the beginning. Collaborating with her has helped us grow in so many ways. And, of course, I must credit my sister, my business partner, and creative soulmate. Building this dream together has made every step of the journey that much more meaningful

Website: https://www.zandzimage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zandzimage/

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

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.