With a fresh perspective and ready to take it all on attitude, Monica Zibutis is slowly photographing her way around the world. Monica, along with her husband of three years, is a destination wedding photographer. Of course some of her locales aren’t as glamorous as others, but each wedding is a journey itself…even if it’s only a short drive from her home base in Northwest Indiana (about 40 minutes outside of Chicago).

Monica majored in Photography at Purdue University in the early 2000’s but felt the rules of the craft stifled her vision, so she left school with her entrepreneurial spirit ignited and started working any way she could. She worked at Wal-Mart one-hour photo and as a travel photographer. By 2006, Monica had made a name for herself all over the greater Chicago area. 

On Valentines Day in 2008 Monica finally took the destination wedding plunge by introducing a contest her blog.  The contest offered one couple her photography services provided they pay her expenses. 

The winners of the contest Petina and Nathan just married in May 2009. Petina and Nathan (pictured above) were married at the Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica.  Petina posted a review of Monica on the forum Best Destination Wedding – her review glows. Petina says not only do the pictures speak for themselves (and she loves them) but also that Monica is laid back and easy to get along with.  

In 2008, Monica had several weddings before Petina and Nathan – Hawaii, Mexico, and all over the United States.  Photographing a wedding in the Mediterranean is Monica’s next dream. “I’ve always wanted to go to Italy”, says Monica.  And maybe she’ll just get her wish (check out Travel News & Reviews for exciting news!) 

Monica has six scheduled destination weddings in 2009 and hopes to increase this number dramatically in 2010.  Since destination weddings take more time for her, she is starting to limit the number of local weddings to free up her time to focus on each couple and to travel!

Get in touch with Monica:

MonicaZ Photography 
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Shanna Quinn is a Galavanting contributing editor and based in Chicago, IL. She likes lattes, going barefoot, when public transit is on time (not that it happens…ever) and of course traveling!  Follow Shanna on Twitter >>  p.s. Her headshot was taken by Monica!