Suzannah Mary
Name: Suzannah Mary
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Favourite type of photography: Woodland and landscape
Location: Birmingham, UK
Instagram: @focusflowbysuzannahmary
How did you get into photography?
I first began photographing butterflies in the chalk hills of Wiltshire, it was my form of mindfulness outside of my job in the police force. Photography offered me an excuse to explore the outdoors and connect with nature.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
I am self-taught and I have no photographic qualifications.
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
The Avebury stones in Wiltshire, the landscape and wildlife of the surrounding area.
Read our Canon EOS R5 Mark II Review
What do you love about photography?
I love the way it makes me feel more connected to nature and myself. It is a gateway to the outdoors, a vessel to a secret wild world of characterful trees and photographic adventures. I often hike with my son in the backpack nowadays, with my camera in hand and my baby on my back. We explore the landscape together, sharing moments with nature that I capture in photographs. Photography offers me a purpose and a sense of community. Running a YouTube channel has pushed me to try new things and made me accountable to keep going and keep improving my photography.
Photography brings you to nature and brings people together. It has been my mindfulness activity after 15 years in the police force. It was essential I looked after my physical and mental wellbeing, and photography helped me do that.
Read our Guide to Understanding Camera Sensor Sizes
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
The value photography can add to your life and the connection with nature it can open up is truly transformative. As a lifelong creative, photography has become my channel for expression. Reflecting on my journey, I wish I had trusted my gut earlier. I started my YouTube channel and mindfulness platform five years ago but didn't remain consistent as I prioritised work. Now, I've shifted my focus to my well-being and my passion for photography by leaving my policing career, and I haven’t looked back. I am now looking forward to helping inspire others and help them find creative flow and direction through mindful photography.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
The woodland, I could lose myself in the woodland with my camera for hours upon end.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
I love traditional landscape photography and ICM photography. I enjoy hunting compositions in the woodland. It's a bit like collecting something special, like a game almost.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I like to use minimal editing to maintain the true essence of the location and keep the story real and true to the conditions I shot in. I like minimalist, clean images and use minor retouching and distraction removal to clean up images
What's your favourite lens?
Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
Read our Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM Review
Do you have a favourite accessory?
Yes, my little video camera, a DJI Osmo Pocket 3. It motivates me to create and helps me preview images when doing composition walkthrough videos. If I know I need to create content, I am more likely to go out and do photography. It's too easy to say, 'I'll do it another time', and that time never comes around again. Being accountable is very motivational.
Read Our Urth Magnetic ND Selects Filter Kit Plus+ Review
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
No! I’m still looking for something that carries my son's bottles/milk and my Canon R5 together in unity.
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L Review
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Thomas Heaton, he was one of the first landscape photographers on YouTube I followed and he inspired me to start my own channel.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Rachael Talibart, @rachaeltalibart and Erin Bannik @erinbabnik
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
A macro lens would be nice so I can do more intimate landscape captures. I cannot travel as far as I used to, so I am focusing on outdoor spaces close to home and the more intimate parts of the woodland.
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
Macro, I'm about to start shooting macro mushrooms.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Working with landscape photographer Nigel Danson, light painting trees at night, we collaborated on a video.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
Teleportation? I can't always get to the mountains or places far away as my son doesn't travel well. I'm a full-time mum/partner, working part-time remotely, and I run a mindful photography business. If I could teleport to locations with my son, I could do more photography
Your favourite baked goods are?
Warm banana bread and Blackberry flapjacks
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a landscape photographer. I have a YouTube channel, a mindfulness platform (photography sleep stories, meditations and a book club) and I am a new mum! I have just left a 15-year-long career as a Roads Policing Officer to pursue my passion for photography.
