We were lucky to catch up with Sue Barr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sue, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

About a decade ago, I needed to separate myself from crowded field of photographers popping up all over the internet. My imagery tells a story and I needed to simply transcend my mission to fine art & commercial clients. Visual Storyteller literally defined my brand and also gave me room to grow and add new services like motion images, mixed media painting created with vintage photographs and my most recent passion, a return to analogue photography.

By combining the personal touch of my name “Sue Barr” with the descriptive terms “Visual Storyteller,” the company name conveys a sense of expertise, creativity, and personalized service. It suggests that I am skilled in utilizing visual elements to tell meaningful stories that resonate with clients and their target audiences . It could be a big brand or small business that needs a constant stream of visual content to define their company or a family that needs fine art and/or a unique holiday card created personally for their pleasure. By using the word visual storyteller the client understands that I will deliver compelling imagery that define what they are.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an award-winning visual storyteller whose imagery is both aspirational and authentic.

Throughout my career, my lifestyle photo assignments have included a diverse range of international industries. Finance, education, pharmaceutical, healthcare & fashion companies and publications have all used my imagery to represent their brands. P & G, New York Times, Merck, Nikon & Sierra Club are just a few of the clients that have featured my creative & visual ability to define their identity.

I studied fine art at Montserrat School of Visual Arts and Syracuse University and taught styling and production at Parsons School of Design. I have also mentored others at photo retreats and lectured at major camera venues throughout the country.

Recent awards include best series, portrait, lifestyle, and action photographer with organizations that include PDN (Photo District News) APA (American Photographic Artists), Lucie, Lifestyle Photographers Association , Creative Circle and AI-AP and my recent gallery presence include inclusion in shows at the Pollack Gallery, Art Alliance and Oyster Point Walls. I also volunteer my services to organizations that include: Books for Kids, Education through Music, Monmouth County Cancer Society & Ted X.
My imagery is a bit like my personality. It combines both a sense of humor and style with an uncanny ability to focus within the chaos of the everyday. I strive to create something that that I title simply with the hashtag #ExtraOrdinaryMoments.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

To be authentic and focused and understand the client/ viewers needs and deliver that above and beyond.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting is a constant exercise in my business. I started in business as a wardrobe stylist and wanted to be an editorial fashion photographer, but quickly fell in love with the spontaneity and magic of shooting children.

As a working children’s photographer, clients threw adults into the mix and I became know as a lifestyle shooter with a candid authentic style. I found I loved the chaos of kids and families and pets in front of my lens. I have shot in the private sector portraits and events ( yes weddings and more) and also in the commercial sector content for brands and businesses as well as corporate culture shoots.

My Space & Friday Night Lights were personal documentary projects with my son and his friends and fine art projects include Suburban Bliss and Earned beauty were originated from all the housewives I met at school pickup and the ageism I felt daily in an ever changing generational dynamic. At the time of the pandemic shelter in place, I kept myself inspired by creating a project documenting my town during this unprecedented time. Like all my personal endeavors,I treated my self as the client, looking for acknowledgment of my feelings through the subjects I chose to cover . Those projects have pivoted to me to other endeavors that include gallery representation and a school marketing and picture side hustle.

Every personal project or assignment throws me another pivot in my career even personal enrichment inspires something that is marketable. There is not a day that I am not utilizing my experience and skill set to create something new. My motto is repetition is boring, change is inspiring!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.suebarr.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/suebarr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suebarr/
• Yelp: suebarrphto
• Other: Fine Art limited edition prints Analogue Musing and Suburban Bliss https://suebarrphoto.pic-time.com/art Personal Photography Projects https://www.tppp.photo/photographers/sue-barr Pets and People too https://www.instagram.com/lululove4ever/ Analogue Film https://www.instagram.com/sb_36chances/

Image Credits
Sue Barr (moi)