MANAYUNK

Blog post by Manayunk Development Corporation Spring Intern, Anna McCarthy

Susan Beard Design Photography is where moments are captured. Susan has been photographing since she was 15. When college rolled around she decided to attend Moore College of Art and Design majoring in photography. When she was studying there she decided to study abroad for a semester at Parson's School of Design and at the age of 27 she decided that it was time to find a spot and start her own business.

She opened her doors in 1991 and her business has continued to be a success due to her commitment and connection to her customers. Susan says: "I love connecting with people and making them feel beautiful", this dedication to keeping her clients happy is why they keep coming back. But she couldn't do it without the help of her team. With 3 full time employers and a handful of freelancers, each individual photographer has a unique style to compliment an array of client needs. They might have different styles but the entire team comes together with a love for photography and people.               

With her passionate team, Susan understands the importance of documenting those big life moments. When it comes to Weddings and Mitzvahs, Beard says: "A lot of our business is done word of mouth, a client was in the bridal party, they knew the bride, or a family member, so there is already this wonderful expanse of a connection with the client." Once Susan meets with the couple, she stresses it's important to keep that connection. "Being photographed for an entire day is not what people are used to so they have to feel comfortable and safe with the people shooting them." One of Susan's favorite parts of her job is how she gets to be a part of people's milestones moments, an engagement shoot turns in a wedding shoot turns into a baby's first pictures. Susan has had the opportunity to take client's baby pictures and then 13 years later take their bar or bat mitzvah photos which is an extraordinary event.

A  family photograph captures the sweet smiles of little ones. But getting the entire family dressed, out the door, to the photo studio and everyone saying cheese in unison can be quite the undertaking. But Susan tries to make it as easy as possible for the entire family. "Every shoot starts off with a conversation. Should the shoot be relaxed and outside? Do they want a studio environment?" With that conversation in mind Susan begins to blend her ideas with what the family envisions. A mutual understanding creates a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that makes the whole experience.

Besides photography, Susan has created two other businesses under Susan Beard Design Photography, Regal Beagle and Wax Works. Regal Beagle originated when Susan's sister was passing from cancer. Susan decided: "I was so tired of being sad, I needed something fun that made me and others happy." But what is Regal Beagle? "It's the marrying pet's photograph and a picture from our gallery of classic photos", the results are whimsical and hysterical. Backup singers for Taylor Swift even got into the spirit when they got her portraits of her two cats, Meredith and Olivia for her birthday. According to Taylor Swift's Tumblr, Taylor writes: "It's been a month and I still have a really hard time walking by these pictures on the walls and not laughing so hard I have to sit down."

Besides Regal Beagle, Susan also started WaxWorksPhoto. After studying Fine Art at Moore College in Philadelphia, Beard, has continuously pushed her work outside the realm of a beautiful photograph. WaxWorksPhoto is the use of encaustic painting which is an ancient process from 500 B.C. "The ancient Greeks painted with powdered pigments and beeswax on sarcophagus' and panels of important people and these pieces are still around today." says Susan. When Susan met Leah Macdonald and saw her using this process she knew this could become applicable to photographs and thus WaxWorksPhoto was born. Susan explains: "We take an image, print it, put it on wood and then either pour or paint beeswax on it and then add oil paint at the end." Encaustic photographs give clients the option of taking a photo and giving it the chance to last a lifetime.

So how did this incredibly talented artist decide to set up shop in Manayunk? "I moved to Manayunk looking for a place to nest. I was doing fine art photography and needed a space and someone recommended The Mill and that's where we settled. Manayunk is like a small town in a big city but with such great community." says Susan. Working as a photographer has given Susan the chance to document life's biggest moments surrounded by the one's you love. If you want to find more information about all things Susan Beard Design Photography make sure to check out: http://www.susanbearddesign.com/