What you need to know...

My name is Susan-but if you're here, you probably already know that. I live currently in Provo, Utah, with my beautiful husband and son. I started this business in 2010, after 13 years of doing photography as a personal hobby and creative outlet. From the moment I developed my first roll of film, and saw that first picture come to life on paper in the dark room, I was hooked. I didn't always know I wanted to make it a career, but I knew from the start that it would be a passion in my life forever.

I am a Natural Light, Lifestyle Photographer. I love what I do. To me, what I do is not a job, but my art. This world, and the people in it, are amazing, beautiful, and I want my photographs to reflect that. So much of the media today reflect the negative things that are going on around us. I want to show the other side. I want to show the love and humanity in this world that you don't often get to see on the 5 o'clock news. There is good all around us. Look for it. That's what I do, and that's what my work shows.

I was born in Oakland, California, and when I was almost 9, my family moved to the Paradise/Chico area in the foothills of Northern California. It was there, that I did the rest of my growing up, surrounded by loving family members and a quirky, off-beat, hippy community. Chico is drenched in art, theatre, music, and diversity. It is an open minded and interesting place to be. It supports it's local farmers, and artists, and there is never a night when music cannot be heard coming out of one of downtown's many cafe's or bars. This is my history. This is where I come from. I do not come from a cookie cutter household, and I didn't come from a place where everyone prided themselves on being like everyone else. I come from a place that applauded the individual and welcomed her with open arms.

Because of this-my past, I continue to strive to be individualistic in an environment that loves same-ness. I don't want my pictures to look like every other photographer's pictures. I don't want what I do to look generic and dated. I continually strive to improve and hone my abilities and my talents to reflect what I want it to. That being, timelessness, love, true emotion, goodness and to show real human relationships.

I have had the immense opportunity in my life to have really close, and wonderful people to love me. I have also lost quite a few of those people in recent years. Do you know what I treasure most now that they are gone? The photographs that I have of us. Not necessarily the photos where we are all smiling or looking at the camera, but the photos that help me to better remember what was happening the day the picture was taken. I love looking at old photographs of my family members whom I have lost, and remembering better how they used to smile, or the love that was in their eyes when they looked at others. THOSE are the photographs I cherish. My memory doesn't serve me as well without the help of pictures. That is what I want to give others. I want to stop a moment in time and give them that moment for the rest of their lives. I want to capture memories that will never get "fuzzy" or "cloudy" but will stay sharp and clear forever.

I am inspired by so much in the world around me. I love to photograph everything; whether it is architecture, people, nature, landscapes, or ranch dressing at a grocery store, I will photograph it if I find inspiration in it in that moment. Music inspires me. All kinds of music. People inspire me. Art inspires me. I love to draw and I love films. If I can walk away feeling more creative after witnessing something, I am a happy girl. I want my work to reflect that inspiration. I think my style walks the line between fine art photography and portrait photography nicely.

I would like you to choose me as your photographer for more than just because you think my work is "nice." I want you to choose ME, and the only way that you can choose ME is if you know a little more about me. When you pick a photographer, whether it is for your wedding, engagements, family portraits, newborn portraits, seniors, whatever, you are picking an entire package. You should consider someone not simply because the price is right, but because that person's photographic and artistic style BEST represents you. Because in the end, when your children's children's children are looking through these photographs, they won't know or care about a NAME that took your pictures, but how well that picture captured you... in that moment in time.

Come on, let's take a journey together.

What Cheri had to say...

Here is what Cheri, (the mom of these beautiful children) had to say about her experience with me:

Can I just say "WOW"? I was totally impressed with the way Susan picked out the perfect location to take the pictures! She was really fun, excited, and had a natural way of working with children of all ages! (As you see, I have 5 kids ages ranging from 15 to 6) Thank you Susan for making this picture taking experience a fabulous one!! You are one talented girl!! -Cheri Best

Cheri's Kids

These are beautiful people! I had a lot of fun with this family during this shoot.

Please enjoy...

If you are interested in booking a family session with me, please contact me at susanmonsonphotography(at)gmail(dot)com. If you would like to speak over the phone, email me with your phone number and I will call you.

Sad Sunflowers, Watermelons and Turkey Necks

A few days ago, Husband and I took Z to the Farm over at Thanksgiving Point. We had a lot of fun. I brought my trusty camera and took some pictures. I took a LOT of pictures, which is the norm. Z is used to it by now. There were pony rides, and tractor rides and all sorts of fun animals to look at and feed.

But, while I was there, I noticed a group of sad looking sunflowers, some little watermelons, and just how gross a turkey's neck really is.

I love sunflowers. LOVE THEM. They are my absolute favorite flower of all time. Usually, when you look at pictures of sunflowers, they are in all of their glory. Well, I took some pictures that are a little less conventional when it comes to shots of sunflowers. But, you know what? I still love them.

Please enjoy some shots with no people in them... 

What Kandice had to say...

Here is what Kandice had to say about the family session we had.

I am a returning client of Susan's and I am just as pleased the second time around. Susan was very patient with my grumpy baby and was so easy to set up an appointment with. She was able to capture the personalities of everyone in the photo shoot and was very prompt on getting our pictures to us. I will definitely be using her again in the future and am so pleased with the work she has done. -Kandice Campbell

The Campbell Family

This is my second time photographing the Campbell family. Last time, it was only Mykah and her mommy, but this time I got to meet Shane too! They are such a sweet family, and so full of love. I love how easy going and generous they are, (and aren't they a beautiful family too?!). I also loved this location!

Please enjoy my session with the lovely Campbell Family...

If you are interested in booking a session with me, please contact me at susanmonsonphotography(at)gmail(dot)com. 

A little more inspiration.

I have really been trying to look for inspiring things lately. Perhaps it is the artsy classes I'm taking this semester that is causing me to look with more effort to FEEL inspired by things I already appreciated. I don't know, but whatever it is, it is a motivating factor for me lately. I want to create, create, CREATE!

I know this is an older video, but I love it so much! Z loves this little movie. When you watch it, watch for the frog-That's his favorite part.



I think this idea is so fun, and the imagery in this video is so beautiful. I also LOVE the song.

Find something that inspires you every day and then go out and create! I promise you that it doesn't matter what level you are (beginner, intermediate, advanced, professional) if you look for inspiration, you'll find it, and if you create something from it, you'll be proud of it. The more you try, the better you'll get. You don't NEED a formal education to create something that you are proud of, or that other people can appreciate. Whatever medium you choose to work with, be it photography, drawing, sculpture, painting, or an act of kindness, go out, do what you love, (or try something new) and perhaps YOU will be the inspiration in someone else's day.

Thank you for stopping by! (I will be posting some shoots in the next few days)!

Feeling a little Artsy fartsy...

I am taking a few classes this semester. One of those classes is a drawing class. I used to draw ALL THE TIME. Ask my mom. She knows. But I haven't done it in a long time. Let me tell you something, I FORGOT HOW MUCH I LOVE TO DRAW!

So, I decided to try something that incorporated my drawing in to my photography.

You may recognize the baby below from this past photo shoot. 

I hope you enjoy my little creation.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have you seen Mila's Dreams?

If you don't know who Mila is, or who her mommy, Adele is, then you need to click here and go check it out.

These are so sweet and beautiful!

Here is one of my favorites...

The above photograph was taken by Adele Enerson, and can be found on her blog, Mila's Daydreams.

I love this blog because she uses so much creativity in the daydreams she creates. I find inspiration in things like this. Adele uses Mila's nap times during the day to come up with ideas to take pictures of, and does it quickly so that she doesn't compromise family time, or wake her darling sleeping baby. It takes some thought to put a shoot together, and Adele does it quickly and so well. It also proves that you don't need a fancy camera or tons of editing to create something artistic, creative and beautiful.

I highly recommend checking out her site! You will fall in love with Mila and her daydreams!

What Stefani had to say...

Do you remember Aaron and Stefani?

Here is what Stefani had to say about our session:

Susan was AMAZING to work with when we took our family pictures. These were the first professional pictures we had taken since getting married and it was such a fun experience. I know nothing about photography so it was so nice to just get dressed up and trust that Susan was going to make it look good… and she did. She was fast, efficient and easily worked with what we wanted in our pictures. She really wants you to have pictures that you enjoy. She doesn’t make you feel rushed or like you’re taking up her time. Our pictures were our favorite family pictures so far! I have recommended Susan to my whole family and they are all planning on making appointments in the future. Thank you Susan for an amazing job!!!
-Stefani

Hanging out with Coleen Hauth!

So, I have met a really cool girl named Coleen Hauth. Check out her website here. This girl is pretty rad. We like to go out some days and just shoot stuff... with our cameras... we're not crazy! Or... maybe we are. I'll let you be the judge.

But I got some fun shots of stuff, and then we got silly. Jumping and making faces and laughing. I really like Coleen. And if you know her, you know what I mean!