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NEWS
Alum Creek woman makes living through photography
Lake Isacsson, age 5 of Winfield, graduates from the Winfield Preschool at the United Methodist Church in Winfield. Photographer Susanne Shrewsbury, 27, takes some special poses of Lake. She opened her photography business in January.
Purchase this photo"Look this way, say smar-tee, say smar-tee," says Susanne Shrewsbury as her camera snaps and whirrs, each click recording another pose. She walks over, and stacks some schoolbooks beside of her model. After all, Lake Isacsson, 5, of Winfield is nearly a preschool graduate. He laughs out loud. Dressed in a tiny graduation cap and gown, he appears to take direction well. Lake is graduating May 20, from the Winfield Preschool at the Winfield United Methodist Church. Son of Christine and P.J. Isacsson of Winfield, he is also making a return visit to Timeless Photography.
In January, through encouragement of friends and family, Shrewsbury went from taking portraits for those two groups to a business that encompasses many more people.
"Everyone kept saying, 'Why don't you start your own business?' "
"I went out and invested in some equipment," she said.
Shrewsbury has come a long way in her photography. Make that about 4,500 miles. The mother of two boys and a girl was born and reared in Stockholm, Sweden. She met her American husband, Todd, through the Internet, and married him about eight-and-a-half years ago. The couple lived at Alum Creek for the first four years, and now live at Bill's Creek.
Shrewbury takes about any kind of portrait a customer wants. She will do events, large groups or individuals, maternity, newborn, infants, children, holidays, senior portraits, head shots for Web sites, weddings, and graduations -- whatever is going on in a person's life.
"I'll try just about anything," Shrewsbury said.
Shrewsbury said she became interested in photography when she was first introduced to it in 7th and 8th grade. In Swedish schools, the student picks a major after ninth grade, and their classes are geared toward that future vocation. After ninth grade, Shrewsbury took several art classes which have influenced her photography. Many of her pictures have an artistic look. For instance, in the newborn pictures, the father might be shown wearing a black tee shirt holding the infant against a black background.
"I see things others might not see -- I improvise," she said.
Above all, she wants the customer to get the kind of pictures he or she wants.
"When they call, I try to get a feel for what they want. I want them to be involved in the process. It's easier if you know what they want. It's more personal when you get input," she said.
Senior portraits are entirely individual.
"If they are into music, sports, some type of hobby -- we'll work it in," she said.
Prices will vary according to the package or individual portraits the customer chooses. With digital, the portraits can be viewed immediately. However, she wants people to take their time and get what they want.
"I won't rush you," she said.
Shrewsbury said the turnaround for proofs takes about a week.
"You pick the pictures, I do the last editing and then print them," she said.
If minor editing is needed, she includes it in the price. However, major retouching or glamour editing is extra.
"It's time consuming," she said.
"I want it to be affordable. People should be able to get good portraits," Shrewsbury said.
Timeless Photography is located at 1 Sorrento Place, Springlea Hills on Bills Creek Road in Winfield. It is about 1.7 miles from Winfield and 2 miles from Teays Valley Road. If you want to make an appointment or you want more information, call (304) 755-7731.
