Susan Bradfield is an amazing photographer that I met through our children’s school in Zurich. She is a rare breed of photographer who does portraits, landscapes, and travel photography.
Hi! I’m so happy we got to see you before we left Zurich. What keeps you rooted there?
I arrived in Zurich Dec 2012 and left in June 2016. We are now back, living in Melbourne, but I try and return to ZH 1-2 times a year. I absolutely love shooting in Switzerland. It is so beautiful - there are endless locations to create beautiful images. The people there really seem to understand the importance of having memories created in this special place. And of course, coming to work in Zurich is a super excuse to catch up with the wonderful friends I made here and to spend time in this incredibly stunning country.
You have a very loyal Zurich following. For other photographers hesitating to start a business while transient, what advice do you have?
I am very fortunate to have a wonderful Zurich following and I am always so grateful for that! My advice is to go for it! I waited too long to get going because our posting was potentially always ending. I finally decided one day that I had to live my life to its fullest potential rather than waiting for ‘what if?’ to happen. And I now wish I’d got going earlier. Having said that, don't enter such a pathway blind to what is required. There is a lot more involved to running a photography business than just picking up a camera such as having IT skills, marketing, business, sales etc. So be prepared to learn a lot...quickly!
How did you get started in photography?
I trained as a physiotherapist, but have a creative side to me that wasn't really satisfied with physio. I’ve always been drawn to photography and I completed some photography courses just before having children, but didn’t reinforce what I learned. At that point I certainly didn’t ever dare to dream I could pursue photography as a career. Once relocated in Zurich, I completed a Diploma in Photography and I travelled a lot and learnt from a variety of travel photographers, but the turning point was a workshop with Russian child photographer Elena Shumilova which really inspired me. I was very lucky in that my photography took off in Zurich by word of mouth.
You have a fabulous eye for framing and styling a shot. How does your creative process work?
I would like to say a lot comes naturally! But it hasn’t. I have worked quite hard at honing my eye for detail, for composition, working with light and styling a shot and for being self-critical. Most of it comes from making mistakes and learning from them, experimenting and practice, practice, practice. I am a bit obsessed… as anyone who has travelled with me and my camera will testify….
What drives and inspires you?
I actually crave to take pictures and feel stifled if I don’t - at the risk of sounding cliche, I am passionate about what I do. My love of photography and to improve every time I pick up my camera drives me. I am always actively learning and striving to improve and develop my style. I am inspired by people, to capture their story and soul, I am inspired by locations, by beautiful light and I am even inspired by props. The other day I borrowed an antique book from my Dad that is Don Quixote published in 1897 and I can’t wait to use that in a studio shoot. When I can, I continue to take part in workshops with photographers that inspire me and that always pushes me more.
We’ve spoken about not sticking to one specialization or style in photography, and how that can make it difficult to become successful. You’ve built a great following and client list both in Australia and Switzerland. How have you gotten around that?
It is difficult not to be niche because people like to be able to label you, and it can be confusing if they can’t. In Switzerland I was both an outdoor family and portrait photographer and there was a clear separation between that and my travel photography. In Melbourne there is still that separation, however I have added studio portraits and newborn photography into the mix. I market and shoot and love all of it. I have just opened an on-line store for my travel prints which is exciting. Time will tell where I head.
Australia has an incredibly competitive photography scene. How do you stay fresh and how do you navigate the ebb and flow of the market?
I don’t have a problem staying fresh. There is so much to motivate and inspire me. I navigate the market by communicating with clients as I always discuss their expectations before a session. Luckily, I am quite diverse in my skills so I can adapt easily to changes demanded by the market.
For novice photographers like myself, what camera and lenses would you recommend?
Get a simple DSLR, do a workshop (ahem, Cara!!!) and reinforce what you've learnt over and over! Use your phone to practice composition and perspective etc.
Also, do you have a favorite editing software for newbies?
Stick with iPhoto or a basic program until you are ready to commit to something like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Complete a small course beforehand so you know what you are getting yourself into and you can navigate around it with some confidence.
It’s very risky to choose a creative career. What advice do you have for creative hopefuls?
Running a small business is always risky if that’s the pathway you choose for a creative career. It is complicated by having to spend a lot of time doing things that are not creatively focused but are necessary to running a business e.g. marketing, accounting, etc. I think believing in yourself and producing work you love is the key to success.
Lastly, you have two children. What advice do you have for them as they choose their career path?
I have always told my children to do something they love and be true to themselves. I completely believe this.
Thank you so much for doing this! I’m incredibly inspired by your creative spirit, drive, and sense of adventure. Your photos are amazing, and I absolutely love your IG feed!!
For those of you that are looking for a fab photographer, Susan will be in Zurich in April 2019. For prints, visit her etsy shop.