We recently connected with Susan Winn and have shared our conversation below.
Susan, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember. I was lucky to grow up surrounded by it—my mother is an artist, and our home was always filled with her work. Watching her create made art feel like a natural part of life. More than anything, she showed me that it was okay to make mistakes, to experiment, and not to worry about what others might think. Art, to her, was about doing what you love.
Another strong influence was my grandfather, a photographer whose work covered the walls of my grandmother’s home in Arizona. I never got to meet him, but I spent hours studying his photos whenever we visited. His images reminded me of Norman Rockwell’s paintings—capturing everyday life with emotion and sincerity. Even as a child, I could feel the stories in those photographs.
Throughout my life, I experimented with different art forms—drawing, painting, ceramics—but I always came back to the camera. It wasn’t until college that I realized photography was how I wanted to share my perspective with the world.
One moment made that especially clear. During college, I had an internship in Silverton, Colorado, and one weekend, our group went hiking near an old ghost town tucked into the mountains. The wildflowers were in full bloom, and the air was buzzing with life. I found myself drawn to the smallest details—the bugs moving from flower to flower, the way the light hit the petals, the textures in the landscape. I crouched down with my camera and started capturing it all. It felt peaceful, almost meditative. That moment—alone with my camera, focused on the quiet beauty around me—is when it clicked: I wanted to be a photographer. I wanted to tell stories through small, fleeting moments that others might miss
Susan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a Colorado-based fine art photographer specializing in macro photography, with a deep love for capturing nature’s quiet, intricate details. While photography is my primary focus, I also work in pottery, jewelry, and various other crafts—anything that allows me to work with my hands and bring creativity into the physical world.
My journey started academically—I earned my Master’s degree from Adams State University with the intention of teaching at the college level. But life had other plans. After graduating, I began working as a wedding photographer, which gave me valuable experience and sharpened my technical skills. However, I quickly realized that commercial photography wasn’t where my heart was. I felt pulled toward more personal, expressive work that allowed for deeper storytelling and reflection.
That led me to focus on fine art and community-based work. Over the years, I’ve run multiple community art galleries and curated exhibitions that elevate local artists and connect people through creativity. I currently run and curate the Monarch Gallery at Monarch Tax & Advisory in Lakewood, where I launched a community art wall in January to showcase and support local artists. I’m also actively involved with the 40 West Arts District and the Women’s Caucus for Art, Colorado Chapter.
My work is rooted in the idea of noticing—the overlooked textures, colors, and emotions in our everyday environments. Whether it’s through a close-up photograph of a wildflower or a piece of handmade pottery, I aim to create work that slows people down and invites them to see beauty in unexpected places.
What sets me apart is the intersection of art and community in everything I do. I’m not just creating for myself—I’m passionate about creating space for others to shine, to learn, and to express themselves. That’s what drives me. I’m most proud of the community art spaces I’ve helped build, and I hope people walk away from my work feeling both seen and inspired.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when someone stops and truly engages with my work. When they take a moment out of their day to look closely, to reflect, to ask questions—that’s when I feel the impact of what I’ve created. Whether they love it or even if they’re unsure how they feel about it, that moment of connection and personal interpretation is incredibly meaningful to me. Art is meant to start conversations, stir emotions, and make people see the world a little differently—and knowing my work can do that is the greatest reward.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had known earlier that you could rent photography equipment. That knowledge would’ve completely changed how and when I bought my gear. In the beginning, I felt like I needed to own everything right away, so I bought the cheapest options just to have the tools. But those tools weren’t the best fit for me or my style. I thought having “everything” would make me a better photographer, but I’ve since learned that it’s not about quantity—it’s about finding what truly works for you and your process.
If I had rented gear first, I could’ve experimented and figured out what I actually needed before making big purchases. It would’ve saved me a lot of time, money, and frustration.
Another big lesson: don’t be afraid to ask questions. Especially in the photography world, there’s sometimes pressure to already know everything or fear of being judged by peers. But asking questions—whether it’s about equipment, technique, or business—is how you grow. Most artists are happy to share their experiences, and those conversations can be invaluable. So rent the gear, ask the questions, and give yourself room to learn
Contact Info:
- Website: https://susanwinn.com
- Instagram: Susan.Winn.Photography
- Other: TikTok @coloradosusan
