Client Showcase: Miranda Cook & Mark Zoltanski

Why we chose Irresistible Portraits:

Foremost, I just want to take a few moments to say how thankful I am to be sharing this story and for the grace that God allows us to see in all things. When people ask where I am from; my answer is simple, "Here." "My parents are from here, my grandparents are from here, even my great-grandparents are from here." Yes Kannapolis; a small town full of character and history. Even our background is simple; It was here that my grandfather began our family business back in September of 1960, and it was Kannapolis where my father and my grandfather continued to build our business within this small town of friendship and hospitality. We have become the insurance family; busy protecting and advising what we consider to be the most important aspect of every family's past, present and future.



My boyfriend of seven years (Mark Zoltanski) proposed to me back in February. We were both, and still are, overwhelmed with happiness and the most wholesome feeling of gratitude for life and family we have ever experienced. Little did we know we were about to begin one of the coolest intertwining journeys we have ever attempted together- we had to plan a wedding. I had it all figured out. It was going to be easy and things were going to happen just like I had always imagined.



It only took a few months to realize weddings were not that easy- people who own business just like my family did not seem like they were really interested in our love story or our passion for family. But why not, they work in the wedding industry? After plenty of heartbreaks and ego-busters I finally realized that planning a wedding was not as simple as everything else in life. After four months I had no venue, no cake, no dress, no DJ- none of the stuff that everybody else has after four months.



I swore off wedding planning for our fourth of July weekend. Mark and I were having lunch by Lake Norman that weekend, and I remember looking at Mark and saying, "Why can't things just be this simple on our wedding day, no time lines, no expectations, just me, you and the family?"

We both happen to glance at the party boat on Lake Norman, and we both looked at each other and we pretty much knew what the other was thinking, but we just looked and didn't say anything... remember I swore off wedding planning for the weekend.

Since I have the patience of a five year old, I was the first one to be filled with excitement and basically blurt out the simplest plan you could ever imagine... let's take a cruise! In one fell swoop I had just eliminated the need for a cake, a venue, a DJ, and all that stuff people say you have to have. But there was one thing that we did need, a photographer.



We wanted someone who could capture our love and our youth- for these pictures would be passed down generation after generation. I made an appointment with Irresistible portraits just to see- since everyone has always said, "Oh, Karen's good." (lol, they really do)



At first I was hesitant that this would be like every other cookie cutter experience, "where's your venue, what's your date," etc. The difference was that Renda truly listened to what I was trying to create for our vision and took notes the entire time. I knew I was going to call her back, if it was only for those notes she took. Like most brides, the first decision helper I called when I left was my mother, Karen was a no-brainer for Mom. As a matter of fact, she said Karen was who she wanted the entire time. Our decision to go with Irresistible Portraits was the first step in our wedding planning process. I felt a true comfort knowing that things were going to be simple, just like our business. Listen then create a product; advise and then perform.



There was no way to know going into this that things really have turned out to be simple for Mark and I. We have fallen in love with the style and grace Karen and the IP staff have provided. Mark and I have said on multiple occasions we are so relieved and glad that we have chosen Irresistible portraits. Mark and I felt truly free to be together during our engagement session; together like we are at home or anywhere. My father, mother, and grandparents are completely ecstatic about the IP staff sharing this time with us. It is truly a warming experience to know that our memories are in the hands of Karen, Renda, Jessica and the entire team at Irresistible portraits. We have shared so many wonderful moments so far and I can not wait to build the happiest day of our lives with my family and friends. This will be a wonderful occasion and I Thank God for all of the happiness we have as a family. Cheers to keeping things simple-Cheers to meeting someone else who helps create a past, present and future of memories, and Cheers to everyone that is from "Here."



"People may not remember your name, but they remember how you made them feel."- Anonymous

God Bless and Warmest Regards,
Miranda Cook, Mark Zoltanski, and The Families