My path in photography has been somewhat indirect. I fell in love with it when I was a child working in my grandfather's darkroom, took all the classes I could in high school, then went a different route in college, studying biochemistry. I graduated and began doing research in immunology. Then I realized I couldn't deny my passion for photography. so I went back to school and earned a second degree in photography.
I went on to shoot commercially for companies including Crate and Barrel, Lens Crafters, Sears, and Art Institute. After shooting full time for 10 years, I was offered the opportunity to teach at Harrington College of Design full time. I discovered my true passion for teaching in the 4 years that I worked there. During that time I helped develop a new bachelor's program in which I wrote a large part of the curriculum. The program went on to be approved by the Illinois Higher Ed Board and earned regional accreditation.
My core courses included: Lighting Theory, which is an intense course on understanding the balance of strobe and natural light, Studio Lighting, which covers the basics of table top lighting, and Lighting People which is an in depth course on photographing people from a portrait, to fashion, to editorial work.
A dream of mine was realized last year, I opened a studio in Evanston, where I concentrate on product and editorial work. This summer I will be starting a new endeavor shooting wet plate collodion tin types.
Tutoring services range from basic exposure, camera operation, and composition to complex lighting set ups and advanced technical control. I also provide tutoring for introduction of Photoshop and Lightroom software.
I look forward to working with you.
Susannah
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