Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Zach Adams of Springfield

We recently had the chance to connect with Zach Adams and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zach, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
That is a no brainer, Integrity! Without integrity, intelligence becomes manipulation and energy becomes recklessness. Integrity builds trust, and trust is the foundation of lasting relationships, leadership, and success.Energy keeps things moving, intelligence guides the way—but integrity ensures it’s all pointed in the right direction.While intelligence and energy make someone effective, integrity makes them safe to trust. And in the long game, trust is worth more than brilliance or hustle.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
What’s up, I’m Zach Adams, the eye and energy behind 1221 Photography, based out of Springfield, Illinois. I’ve been telling stories through a lens for over 10 years, and my work ranges from boudoir and weddings to high school seniors, families, and creative/editorial projects. What makes my brand special is that I don’t just snap photos — I build experiences. Whether it’s a styled shoot, a family session, or a moment of raw journalism, I want people to feel seen, not staged.

What really fuels me is connection — with my clients, my community, and my art. That’s why I’m just as comfortable documenting a wedding as I am collaborating with local artists, or stepping into my new role with the Illinois Times to tell stories that matter. 1221 Photography isn’t just a business, it’s a reflection of who I am: energetic, creative, a little funny, and always chasing authentic moments that last far beyond the shutter click.

Right now, I’m expanding into projects that mix photography with other creative mediums — from ceramics to community collaborations — while continuing to deliver timeless, high-quality work for my clients. At the end of the day, I want people to walk away not just with great photos, but with memories that feel alive every time they look at them.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I believed my voice didn’t matter — so I stayed quiet. For a long time, I thought blending in was the safest way to live. Through therapy and the love and encouragement of my fiancé, I discovered that my voice isn’t just worth hearing, it’s one of my greatest strengths. Now I use photography as an extension of that voice — to capture people as they are, to help them feel seen, and to remind them they matter too.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d probably say, Relax kid you don’t have to have it all figured out. Keep being weird, keep laughing, and trust me, one day your camera is going to take you places you can’t even imagine.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in photography is that it’s all about the gear. You’ll hear people obsess over cameras and lenses like they’re magic wands. Don’t get me wrong, tools matter but connection, trust, and vision are what create images people remember. A $5,000 camera won’t make someone comfortable in front of the lens. A photographer who cares will.

Or that photographers just ‘click a button.’ People think we show up, push one button, and the masterpiece just appears. Meanwhile, I’m over here juggling lighting, posing, editing, client comfort, deadlines, and praying the weather doesn’t betray me. If it were just one button, I’d have it tattooed on my arm lol.

I think the biggest on is the industry often tells itself that perfection is the goal, flawless edits, curated feeds, staged moments. The truth is, perfection is boring. The power of photography is in its imperfection the laugh mid-snort, the tear no one expected, the wind messing up someone’s hair. That’s where the real story lives.”

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was a loving, fun husband and dad first — that no matter how busy I was, my family always knew they came before the camera. I want my kids to remember me as the dad who made life an adventure, who laughed with them, and who showed up. I hope my wife remembers me as her partner in everything — the guy who kept it fun, who supported her, and who loved her deeply. And beyond family, I want people to say I made them feel seen — whether in life or in photos — that I cared enough to capture their story the way it deserved to be remembered.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
The photo of me is was taken by Kate Spencer Photography

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