Appreciation takes beautiful turns and unexpected pauses. And where our attention goes, everything else in life follows. A talented and experienced photographer can use this heightened attention to share in many ways: sweeping views, pinpoint details, “found” composition, and magical colour.
Ingeborg Suzanne has honed her appreciation and mined her experience for beauty and visual interest since her earliest years. Accreditations from universities and years as a commercial photographer were built on a foundation of precocious talent, awards, and the opportunity to display a painting at the Vancouver Art Gallery before she was even a teen.
When the pandemic proved challenging for her commercial photography clients, Ingeborg used the opportunity to pivot back to her first love, fine art photography. Living on the coast, and no longer restricted by genre or subject, wildlife and the natural world draw her attention now. And she gets to have favourites:
“I am decidedly a bird person . . .”
Ingeborg’s bird shots are exquisite, revealing intimate details that capture both fragility and boldness. She delights in researching her subjects and finds it almost as rewarding as the shoot:
“If you want to photograph birds, listening and knowing their song is essential. What species of birds migrate to the region in the winter or summer? Where do they find food on their journey? What is their migratory route? What species of birds migrate south or north to breed and have their young? Where do they nest?”
Owls are an elusive subject for photography, but at this time of year we are easily alerted to their presence in the woods. Knowing their habits helps get great shots:
“On this morning’s walk I heard a barred owl hooting in the woods across from the neighbour’s yard . . . If I hear the owl hooting in this location tomorrow, and/or for the next few days, it is probable it is nesting and there is a good chance there will be owlets.”
Ingeborg has a particular flair for flowers, and credits her Dutch heritage. “My mom and aunties were all crazy about flowers.”
The same understanding applies to capturing images of marine wildlife. A knowledge of migration, spawning, currents, and tides can make all the difference when hoping for a meaningful shot:
“Here on the coast there is the herring spawn and salmon runs which attract many animal species. The runs vary in size and frequency depending on the year. I come from a family of fishermen. This knowledge has served me well.”
In the end, Ingeborg’s work shows us that photography is like life: using our lens to honour what we appreciate, and making sure to enjoy the process.
Follow Ingeborg on Instagram @isphotoca and visit store.isphotography.com to see more of her photography.