From a young age, Suzanne Sahakian studied music, art, and dance, training in classical ballet in Michigan, Boston, and New York, where she performed and choreographed pieces. She received her first film camera, a Minolta, at the age of 18 and began taking it everywhere she went. When a knee injury disrupted her planned dance career, she returned to college at the University of Michigan and ultimately became a lawyer, practicing law in Detroit and Chicago. In 2010, after 26 years as a commercial litigator, Suzanne took early retirement and returned to her photography. By 2012, she was showing and selling her photos in Chicago at the Greenleaf Art Center and hosting Wine & Shots soirees at her condo.

Suzanne has been a SAAG member and has shown her work at the SAAG Gallery since February 2023, which has expanded the reach of her work and resulted in commissions and referrals, growing her client base. She has also met many talented and amazing SAAG members with varied backgrounds, who provide her with inspiration and camaraderie.

Q: How do you decide on the themes or subjects of your pieces? Is there a particular message you aim to convey?

A: Initially, I am drawn to color and composition, the energy and movement of light on the subject, something that reflects a glimpse of the past and the beauty of nature. I like to find places where I’ve never been or return to places I’ve photographed to see the changes that have been made, especially in historical areas like we have in Tucson, where new facades and renovations are commonplace. Each photo that makes it to a print has an energy and a feel for me that I try to convey as I develop the photo digitally. I want viewers to notice details that might otherwise go unnoticed and to feel a sense of optimism and calm against the backdrop of daily routine - ‘a visual vacation,’ as one viewer described it, and a reminder of the inherent and poignant possibilities of everyday life. 

Q: What are your future goals with your work?

A: I am winding down being the director of a downtown Tucson gallery, which should leave me more time to focus on my own work, travel to picturesque destinations, take more photos and perhaps develop a new photo series (like my Spirit of the Butterfly photo collages I did a few years ago using butterflies and botanics from Tucson Botanical Gardens), and to generally explore and expand my creativity.