Meet Susan Burnstine | Fine Art Photograph | Writer | Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Burnstine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Many people have an illusion that being an artist is a fun, easy, carefree life and once you have a solo show or book, you’re a success, but that’s far from the truth. In actuality, after landing your first gallery rep, that’s just the beginning of the journey. I describe being a fine art photographer as an endless marathon that keeps building with each success rather than a sprint. You have to work tirelessly to continuously produce meaningful work from your heart, but it also has to sell — so balancing the business and the creation of art is a tightrope for many, and it takes a specific personality (and frequently a second income) to sustain. I feel fortunate to be a working artist since I’m not one for drawing within the lines, complying with rules or boundaries, or working in traditional environments. Being able to walk my own path and do what’s best for my creative journey has suited me well in this industry.  

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my youth, I dreamed of becoming a photographer. I practically lived in the darkroom all four years of high school while also learning the business of photography by working after school and weekends as an assistant to top commercial/event and portrait photographers in Chicago. However, I became burned out by that world before I graduated college with a degree in film/TV production, so I opted to move to Hollywood and pursue that age-old dream. After working in the entertainment industry for eighteen years and experiencing two life-altering losses, I became disheartened by the lack of opportunity and financial gain for women and just wanted to make something for myself. This was during the mid-2000s, and I no longer had it in me to fake it to make it. My late friend, actor Michael Jeter, left me his beloved camera collection when he passed away, which motivated me to begin shooting again for the first time in years. Sparked by working with Michael’s cameras, I shot portraits, headshots, and events professionally, but that did not fulfill my creative spirit. I yearned to photograph personal work, but the closest I’d seen to the aesthetic I envisioned was Impressionism — and I was about 100 years too late to succeed in that approach.
In an attempt to find my own style, I tried every camera known to mankind: large format, medium format, and 35mm, in addition to every alternative printmaking processes. However, nothing I tried replicated my subconscious existence, which was world I was trying to capture. For one year, I tore apart and rebuilt cheap plastic, toy cameras such as the Holga and Diana, in pursuit of the desired style, but I still couldn’t achieve it with pre-designed cameras. After hearing my frustrations, my father inspired me to create my own homemade cameras and lenses, which took me another year to come up with a prototype that produced the evocative, dreamlike style I sought. I produced twenty images, with the first of twenty-four handmade cameras and lenses I’d create in the years to follow. Within a year of creating my first camera, I landed my first Southern California gallery representative, with subsequent galleries across the U.S. following soon after. At the same time, I began teaching workshops, and became a writer for numerous art publications, including writing a column for Black & White Photography Magazine (UK). Taking this crazy leap of faith was one of the hardest and most unlikely accomplishments I’ve achieved in my life. Despite all the stumbles, failures, and setbacks along the way, creating a collection of cameras that became vehicles for a style that was 100% unique to my personal experiences and vision proved to be an immensely worthy struggle in the end.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a hiker with an Australian Kelpie that needs tons of exercise, so my favorite thing to do is take visiting friends on a hike to the Hollywood sign or to a picturesque location like Switzer Falls. I have several other regular hikes I love around my neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills, which visitors enjoy since the views are great and there’s so much wonderful history in my area. For my fellow artist friends, a trip to The Getty, LACMA, The Hammer and Bergamot Station is usually on the schedule. I love historical landmarks and architecture, so one of my favorite places to take friends for breakfast or lunch is the Farmers Market at The Grove since there’s something for everyone. Sushi is an LA must and I have a number of regular standbys including: Asanebo, Koi, and Iroha. I’m also a fan of my local eatery Pace, and who wouldn’t want to experience a flaming margarita at El Compadre.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dave Anderson https://www.dbanderson.com/index

Website: www.susanburnstine.com

Instagram: @susanburnstine

Twitter: @SusanBurnstine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanburnstinephoto

Other: Threads: @susanburnstine OR https://www.threads.net/@susanburnstine

Image Credits
Susan Burnstine Elizabeth Bailey Michael Crouser