I am Susannah. I'm 20 years old, and art is what makes my heart beat. I couldn't imagine my life without photography and writing. They have been total gifts in my life and the joys at the center of my days.

If I was describing myself, I'd say my main qualities are passion and ambition. I am so ambitious and so driven that sometimes it can become a negative factor. I expect the very best of myself, and I will not let myself go through life without doing amazing things; I always worry there is not enough time to do everything that I want to!

I love creating art and telling stories; it is so intrinsically a part of who I am, and i've never questioned what I want to do with my life. Every time a friend comes over, we have a photoshoot. Photography is amazing in the sense that it combines all my favorite childhood things: playing pretend, dressing up in crazy things, talking, laughing, making art, etc.

Though many teen photographers are caught up in the craze of becoming the mainstream sort of fashion photographers, I don't believe in beauty for the sake of beauty. I want to shoot stories and concepts, because I want to communicate messages and emotions through my work (I always try to have an intentional message/narrative to communicate, or I don't feel fulfilled as an artist). I use photography and writing as mediums to windows into the inside of my head. The process of a photoshoot is so nerve-wracking and adrenaline-pumped that I am physically exhausted at the end of a shoot. My friends say they love to pose for me because, the few times we have a photoshoot I am really happy with, they say they never see me more ecstatic.

I seek inspiration from mythology and literature--I will devour a good story in any way, shape, or form.

 

My ideal rainy day is a cup of tea with an endless pile of books (specifically magical realism books or a good gothic tale <3). Fav. reads include:

 

His Dark Materials Trilogy, The Little Prince, Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca, Ovid's Metamorphosis, Howl's Moving Castle, The Alchemist, The Legend of Deirdre, 100 Years of Solitude, Jane Eyre, The Birds,The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Enchanted Castle, The Hobbit, The Rainbow Opera, celtic/greek/roman mythology in general.

 

www.susbehindthescenes.tumblr.com

 

Resumé excerpts:

 

-shot back cover of Beyoncé's DVD, "Elements of 4: Live at Roseland"

-International Young Photographer of the Year 2007 (DC mag)

-talented spotted in July 2010 and got agency signed

-shot an 8-page editorial for Vs. magazine featuring spring/summer 2011 of Valentino and other designers such as Burberry, Ports 1961, Oscar de la Renta, etc.

-on the cover of a magazine with an article entitled “Top Ten Teens to Watch”

-scheduled to have photos as book covers for 3 different novels published by Hachette

-contributing to a soon-to-be-published photography book (both writing and images)

-shot a spread for FLAUNT magazine

-shoot models from agencies such as Ford

-shot the cover and a 10 page spread for "Footwear Plus" magazine

-article feature on Artworks homepage

-member of the week for JPG magazine

-feature in 125 Magazine

-feature in Digital SLR Photographer, winner of their “Image of the Month”

-feature in Amateur Photographer Magazine

-feature in Shutterbug Magazine by a freelancer for Nikon

-feature in BULB magazine

-feature in SNAP magazine

-feature in New York Arts Magazine

-finalist for Photography Monthly’s Shoot the Cover Competition

-online feature “Coming Up Strong”

-photos used in an instructional guide to photography sold at Barnes and Noble, Urban Outfitters, etc.

-shot a spread for awanted magazine

-feature in Practical Photography Magazine

-interest from British editor of Vogue, who said my work was more interesting than “99% of the stuff he receives”

-1st place photography contest winner in my area

-photos on the cover of the 2009 school yearbook

-published in Teen Ink numerous times

-published in WAD, french magazine

-won the “best in class” award at Oxbridge Photography Class 2007

-5th place Anne Frank International Photography Contest

-shot the program poster for a play in the Scottish Fringe Festival

-published in Hotshoe Magazine

-shot the cover of RAW magazine and featured within

-photo exhibited in the Malls Gallery, London

-photo exhibited as one of the Collegeboard AP art examples in a Boston Gallery

-two photos exhibited in town art gallery

-full set of photos exhibited at school

-4 photos finalists in the DC Magazine International Young Photographer of the Year 2009

-two second place wins in the Betterphoto.com international photography contest

-four/five photos on the Digital Kodak Billboard in Times Square for winning POTD

-photo used on the cover of a brochure in India

-photo exhibited in a New Canaan Gallery

-published in TECHmag China

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Photos of Susannah B

Testimonials

you are such an inspiring human i love to see your progress, and im so so proud of how far you've gotten with photography can't wait to see what this new year has for you, keep up the amazing work!

January 1, 2012

I feel like ive stepped into a different world when I look at her photographs. They are always stunning and beautiful. Edit: 24/02/2011 You're are absolutely wonderful, I gave up flickr for a while....I have come back and you more amazing than before, which honestly I didn't know was possible. I don't know w… Read more

I feel like ive stepped into a different world when I look at her photographs. They are always stunning and beautiful. Edit: 24/02/2011 You're are absolutely wonderful, I gave up flickr for a while....I have come back and you more amazing than before, which honestly I didn't know was possible. I don't know what else to say except every image you take is breathtaking. I know you are not only an inspiration to me, but to many others as well. Cheers, Eliza

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February 23, 2011

I just discovered Susannah's artwork. Every single photo exhibits cleverness and passion. I can't stress enough how smart she is and how her intelligence is shown through her ideas relating to literature and emotions in general. The detail and clarity in her photos are exemplary and quite inspirational. By looking thro… Read more

I just discovered Susannah's artwork. Every single photo exhibits cleverness and passion. I can't stress enough how smart she is and how her intelligence is shown through her ideas relating to literature and emotions in general. The detail and clarity in her photos are exemplary and quite inspirational. By looking through her photostream I've seen that she's improved in a few years (and will continue to improve). Susannah, I wish you good luck in the future!

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December 25, 2010

Susannah takes amazing pictures. All her pictures portray a strong sense of emotion and statements. Many of her photos are surreal. I wish I could take photos like her. EDIT : SHE JUST GOT MUCH BETTER .. I MEAN MUCH

July 29, 2010

susannah's photos. goodness. they are simply amazing. if someone doesn't know that, they are either, A. an idiot, or B. haven't ever seen them. basically, the girl's a genius.

June 18, 2010

I love your black and white photos especially. I feel like so much emotion and power is loaded into each one. Some of your best pieces in my opinion are your black and white photos, they are simply one of a kind. LITERALLY every single photo you have taken I adore. I think the accomplishments you've made are inspiratio… Read more

I love your black and white photos especially. I feel like so much emotion and power is loaded into each one. Some of your best pieces in my opinion are your black and white photos, they are simply one of a kind. LITERALLY every single photo you have taken I adore. I think the accomplishments you've made are inspirational, and you also have one heck of a skill behind a camera. A couple months ago i was flipping through a magazine I found in my friends room and there were your photos. I recognized them instantly. You have such a distinct beautiful one of a kind talent. Never stop taking photos. Ever.

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May 24, 2010
ting s, says:

susannah's photos are one of a kind. her mind is so brilliant, and her ideas/concepts for photos are merely beyond words. i constantly find myself staring at her photostream in complete awe, saying to myself "why didn't i think of that?"

January 26, 2010
orrla says:

i cannot even begin to describe how amazing your photostream is. your ideas are so unique, all of them are new and not done by anybody. the colors and subject are beautiful! i hope you keep taking photos because everytime i visit your stream i am amazed! -Orr

December 13, 2009

susannah is one of my favourite photographers. when i see her photos, i always wonder why it's not in vogue or other top fashion magazines because all of it is truly stunning and it's a shame that she's not getting as much attention as she deserves. she should be shooting for billboards and magazine ads and she will be… Read more

susannah is one of my favourite photographers. when i see her photos, i always wonder why it's not in vogue or other top fashion magazines because all of it is truly stunning and it's a shame that she's not getting as much attention as she deserves. she should be shooting for billboards and magazine ads and she will be one day soon. whenever i think about how good i want to be, i think of susannah's photos and i will strive to be as good as her one day. i'm glad she's only sixteen because she proves that young people can be good at what they want to do. your work is inspiring.

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October 6, 2009
kkkkarl says:

you are one of the best, your work is breathtakingly beautiful and they are truly honest words.

October 5, 2009

Susannah's work has never ceased to leave me speechless, and left to be amazed at the beauty that she has created with her concepts that seem to never end. She is a true artist and the work she creates is pure magic and deserves to be spread on every magazine and building in the country.

September 21, 2009

Rarely and I mean RARELY do I come across a photographer who's work leaves me completely breathless (in a good way, of course). I can probably count on one hand the number of times it's happened, in fact. And congratulations, Susannah B, you're my thumb! (It's a compliment- I promise, haha) Your work is magical. I don'… Read more

Rarely and I mean RARELY do I come across a photographer who's work leaves me completely breathless (in a good way, of course). I can probably count on one hand the number of times it's happened, in fact. And congratulations, Susannah B, you're my thumb! (It's a compliment- I promise, haha) Your work is magical. I don't know how else to describe it. Each photo tells a story of whimsy and loveliness and that's SO hard to come across nowadays. Please don't ever stop being you, don't ever conform, and most importantly- don't ever lose your magic.

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September 4, 2009
Andrew F says:

Want to see the shape of future photography. Ireland 1324 is it!!! I will be watching and expecting great things....or should I say 'even greater' things. EDIT: Susannah got even BETTER!!!!!!!! Andrew

September 3, 2009

I don't even know what to say

August 30, 2009
megan ■ says:

How haven't I written you a testimonial yet? Well let me start off by saying- you are truly incredible. You amaze me with every one of your photos. Amazing. You are soooo inspiring

August 30, 2009

you are wonderful.

July 25, 2009

you have a ton of testimonials saying this, but you are just an amazing photographer. your ideas are just brilliant, keep it up!

July 3, 2009
312MK says:

KELLY + SUSANNAH = LIFE FOREVERRRR

July 1, 2009

Time for an edit :) Her work is so unique and creative and her style is so distinct. Most of the time, when I look at photos, I feel like I'm looking at reality through someone else's eyes but with Susannah's photos, they put me in another world. One that I've never thought of, one that I've never known of, and one tha… Read more

Time for an edit :) Her work is so unique and creative and her style is so distinct. Most of the time, when I look at photos, I feel like I'm looking at reality through someone else's eyes but with Susannah's photos, they put me in another world. One that I've never thought of, one that I've never known of, and one that I would never see without her.

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June 25, 2009
Laurence, says:

You a pure magic. Everything you do is beyond great, and so original, I just can't put it into words. Words never do your photos justice. Just thought I'd let you know, you are one of my biggest inspirations, and I don't think you will ever cease to amaze me.

June 22, 2009

oh my goodness!!!!! she's amazing! everything she uploads i end up favoriting (i don't think i spelled that right im in a daze at the moment) holy crap magic magic magic!!

June 21, 2009

Susannah is inspiring with every image. i don't even have the words to explain how much i admire her wide spectrum of talent. it's disarming, vulnerable, and trapped inside of all the small moments that make you open your eyes to the world around you even more. "beautiful" doesn't cover it.

May 3, 2009

Susannah B's photos take you to a whole other world. Her concepts are always unique and mind blowing. She's definitely created her own style that I, and I'm sure many others, love and respect. Susannah, you have another fan. (:

April 19, 2009

I just looked through all your photos; and man.. your photos are beyond brilliant!

April 4, 2009
auspicious cloth (deleted)

Susannah is the coolest. This is probably the 3rd testamonial I've written her. But don't worry, she deserves at least 3 from me (maybe more). Her work is incredibly inspirational, and she sees the world unlike anyone I've ever met before. Props to a great eye and a great heart. If only she was better at drums though..… Read more

Susannah is the coolest. This is probably the 3rd testamonial I've written her. But don't worry, she deserves at least 3 from me (maybe more). Her work is incredibly inspirational, and she sees the world unlike anyone I've ever met before. Props to a great eye and a great heart. If only she was better at drums though... :)

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April 2, 2009

Possibly the most intelligent person I have ever come across. I see her photos and feel enlightened, like I am learning a deep secret about the world that has always been there, only hidden.

March 24, 2009

such a brilliant mind that make such awesome works cant wait to see MORE!

February 2, 2009

Susannah has more talent then others half her age!! and thats the part i can't get over.... im just AMAZED!! She is by far my most favorite photographer..... she's a very bright girl and i can't wait to see what comes of her!! she's going to make a name for herself.... theres no question in that!!

January 26, 2009
pelleso says:

her photos are some of the most intriguing, original, absolutely stunning things i have ever seen.

January 20, 2009

Susannah's work is just brilliant. I don't even know what else to say.

January 20, 2009

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