About Me

As an English major, I have always had a great appreciation for the arts. As an individual, I have always longed to release my creative energies. Creativity is my life line.

I have so many avenues of self-expression. I am a teacher. I am a writer. I am a thinker. I am a doer. I am a photographer. I view life as a series of visual images.

I am a visionary. I have had an interest in photography since I became the yearbook adviser at my high school back in 2000. In 2002, we went digital, and I have been "hooked" ever since. It all took on a new meaning, however, when I became a mother in 2004.

I took my 4-week old daughter to a photographer in Grand Rapids who was just launching her own photography and design business, and I walked out of there that day knowing that I had found my true passion in life.

It was the first time in my life I had ever felt inspired by somebody. Stephanie TeSlaa changed my life forever without even knowing it. I never knew I could just focus on babies and children...and maybe even make a living doing it.

I have always been the one at events with family and friends with camera in hand, waiting to capture those special moments--to preserve them forever.

Design was already a huge part of my life before I met Stephanie...from producing the yearbook to designing my own wedding invitations...to helping others do the same. Stephanie 's beautiful work inspired me to learn everything I could about photography, so I could combine it with my need to create.

Over 3 years later, here is where I stand... I am still a teacher. I am a mother of 2 daughters, ages 3 and 1. I am a working photographer about to complete my 50th job in the first year of doing photography as an official business, part time. Labor Day weekend marked the one-year anniversary of starting my own photography business.

It has been a long journey. I have undergone formal training by taking photography classes and enrolling in the New York Institute of Photography's professional course in photography. I am halfway done with this program.

I am not Stephanie, but I am striving to move forward every day. She has been my biggest inspiration. I have seen where she started and where she is today.

It is my goal in to keep moving forward with my own photography... I have set many goals for myself, and I look forward to building my business and seeing where this all takes me by the end of 2008.

I absolutely love working with children, babies, and families. Beyond that, I love creating beautiful collages and storyboards to display on the walls in the home. Like Stephanie did for me, I love creating treasures that will remain long after the years have passed by. This is what I live for in my life. I would love to spend time with you and create masterpieces for your life, also. I now do on-location photo shoots in the home. Please contact me at 269.686.1179 or susanjames89@hotmail.com.

*I am also looking to do "charity" work in 2007. I have been inspired to work with sick children and their families--either in or outside of the hospital. Of course, I would provide all of my services...and products...for free. I am looking for qualifying families. I am thinking I can afford to do this for 1-2 families in 2007. Please submit a letter about the child and his/her circumstances to me via email: susanjames89@hotmail.com. I will choose the 1-2 families sometime in 2007 and share this experience on my blog. This will be emotional for me, but I feel that I am meant to do this in 2007.