OUR INTERVIEW WITH SUSANNAH

Winters Red - 8x8 Through the Viewfinder Photographic Print

‘Winters Red’ is one of my favourites; it is a Through the Viewfinder photograph which combines a modern digital camera with a vintage box viewfinder camera. I am addicted to this style of photography, as it is so “old school” and charming.

Who are you?
I am a full time mother of one who loves a good flat white coffee and wants to live closer to the beach. I am Susannah of Susannah Tucker Photography.

Where are you located?
I am a New Zealander living in Melbourne, Australia, torn between wanting to stay in this amazing city (my partners hometown) or moving back to my wonderful windy hometown of Wellington.

What do you create?
I create photographic prints, photo blocks, and note cards.

Where do you sell your creations?
Etsy is my main place of online selling http://SusannahTucker.etsy.com, I also have a few photographs listed on an Australian site www.madeit.com.au and I am currently experimenting with market stalls.

Waiting to Catch a Wave - 8x8 Through the Viewfinder Photographic Print

Where do you create? I take photographs wherever and whenever I can - we tend to organize family adventure days on the weekends based on where I’d like to take photos, which usually means we end up down at a beach somewhere. When it is too cold and miserable to head outside, I set up still life shots in our studio – which is really the spare bedroom. I long to travel to Italy and the South of France again, this time with my digital and vintage viewfinder cameras!

I do all of my digital editing here at home, and when I have photo blocks to make I set up various ‘work stations’ around the lounge and make an absolute mess. I’m lucky my partner is a musician and completely supports and encourages my art, even though that means his music time on the computer is often interrupted!

What inspires you? I am inspired by my daughter’s laugh, my partner’s music, the connection I see between people, the warmth of the sun, and a stark landscape. I love vibrant colors, the feel of sand and grass underfoot, rustic country scenes, all things vintage and brown paper packages wrapped in string.

Sweet Spring - 8x8 Fine Art Photographic Print

Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby?
It is part –time as I am a full time mother. The computer work, making photo blocks and putting together orders I do when my toddler is asleep during the day, and in the evening. My daughter and I go on ‘adventures’ during the day to the photo lab and the post office, to pick up orders and ship off parcels.

What role does creativity play in your marketing methods?
To be honest, I am still learning about the marketing side of being a photographer and Etsy seller. I am a naturally shy person, and to put myself out there doesn’t come easily. But I know I cannot sit back and wait for people to discover my art. I think it is in the little things, and a lot of it is word of mouth. I like to make each customer feel appreciated, I try to make my parcels look like presents, and I like to include extra prints from time to time to give people an idea of what other prints would look like in their home. I have a Flickr site, where a lot of networking seems to happen so I am discovering. I also am an avid believer in sharing information, so if ever you have a question to ask, please do so! I am the first to admit I have a lot to learn on marketing…… it is all part of my journey.

What are your goals?
I would like to raise my profile on Etsy, find a local café to display prints, and a shop to stock photo blocks. I am hoping to start working as a children’s photographer in the near future, specialising in candid portrait shots. Ultimately, when our kids (current and future) are in school, I would love to do all of this full time!