SIMPLY BY SUZY

The Journal

chicago film photographers | self worth.

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my life

Hi, I'm Suzy, a photographer, mentor and mom of 3. I'm so glad you're here.

chicago film photographers

I feel like exposing a little about myself today.. I feel like allowing myself to be a bit vulnerable..

But to lighten the mood somewhat, I think I’ll make this post like a compliment sandwich 🙂 So here, I’ll start with the first piece of positive bread – I am living my dream. I may not be super rich, I may not be famous, but every day I wake up next to my love, healthy, and am able to thus far help to provide a roof over our heads by doing what I love which is making artwork for families.

Now for the hard to chew middle of my sandwich.. putting myself and my artwork, my inner creative voice, out there for the world to see and have my living depend on that has led to my self-worth becoming so intertwined with it, often making it incredibly difficult for me to separate the two. And by that I mean, if I have a good day and post some pretty pictures that lots of people ‘like’ on facebook or comment on, I feel great. If I get a letter back from a client telling me how much they love their photographs, I feel even better. I’m awesome, I’m on top of the world. I mean something and I feel like the world is rotating in just the right direction and at just the right speed. On the other hand, if I make a mistake in my business, or perhaps a series of images gets rejected for publication, I feel awful. I am a loser, and I could have (no, should have) done better. My artwork doesn’t matter, and what purpose is there to what I’m doing.. I am worth nothing.

Does this feeling at all resonate with you?

Anyway, I’m not sure what my point is in all of this except to say that if you feel this way too, I think it’s just normal. And I’m right there with ya, especially today.

With that being said, I’ll end with the second piece of positive bread – today I am alive and still living my dream.

Oh, and I just had the best breakfast at Lula Cafe.. yum. That place is the bee’s knees I tell ya.

Hi, I'm Suzy, a photographer, mentor and mom of 3. I'm so glad you're here.

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I'm Suzy of Simply by Suzy, and I'm so happy you're here at my blog because I can't wait to serve you with lots of good stuff like a peek into all of my favorite photoshoots for clients, freebies and resources on motherhood, how to get more connected with your life, and how to take beautiful pictures of it

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The Artist

Suzzane
brown

For nearly two decades, I’ve worked with individuals and families who understand the value of time. And the importance of preserving it well.

My work centers on creating living archives: carefully composed records of a life as it’s being lived. Not performances. Not surface moments. But the relationships, environments, and details that define a legacy.

I approach each commission with the eye of an artist and the discipline of a documentarian. Listening closely. Observing deeply. Shaping work that is meant to endure. Crafted on film, finished as heirloom objects, and designed to be held in your hands, lived with in the home, and passed down in your private family vault. 

This is not photography for the present moment.

It is art made in service of memory, history, and the generations that follow.

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