Every time I finish a workshop, I marvel at the people who are a part of them – thoughtful and kind, as well as excellent photographers in their own right. They all seem to have a thirst to continue to grow and evolve, and to do it with others.

This is the second post where I feature some of these wonderful people on this blog – to show you their work, and allow them to tell their photography story.

Meet Sue Folinsbee

Sue is from Toronto and I first came to know her at an in-person workshop right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Sue had recently participated in a workshop with one of my mentors, Freeman Patterson.

Sue has since been a part of all of my online workshops, some more than once. She has the distinction of being the first to post images from Nunavut (one of Canada’s territories). As you’ll find out below, Sue does work in Nunavut and it is one of her favourite places in the world. All of the images in this post are from that place.

I had the privilege of attending the exhibit Sue had of her Nunavut images in Toronto. She is a sweet and sensitive soul and I know you will enjoy getting to know her better, as I have.

Snow shapes in Iqaluit

How and when did you get started in photography and what drew you to this medium?

I have always been involved in creative endeavours mainly abstract acrylic painting and collage. My involvement and interest in photography happened quite suddenly. I still remember the day in December 2007. My cousin suggested I try his Nikon Coolpix point and shoot camera. We were up at our cottage and I took dozens of pictures of the black lines against white snow on our lake which was not completely frozen over.

I was completely captivated. The lines on the lake reminded me of an alien runway. I bought my own camera the next week and have never looked back.

For a time, I tried to integrate photographic images into my paintings but I finally decided a few years ago that I wanted to put all my efforts into photography as my greater passion was there.

Snow Patterns

Describe your evolution as a photographer. Who are your mentors?

I would have to say that my evolution as a photographer revolves around growing in the “art of seeing.”

When I first started, I focused my photography on the obvious. For example, at our cottage I kept taking the same kinds of pictures of the lake and our property. They were snapshots really and I was feeling bored because I couldn’t see further than that.

Through continuous learning with my courses and practice, I feel that I am learning to ”see” better and can find less obvious images that attract me everywhere. Sometimes I have to be careful because I see too much now especially when I am driving.

I would say that my greatest mentor is Freeman Patterson. I was reading his books intently years before I actually met him and took one of his workshops. Through Freeman, I learned about André Gallant and his work. I find that you and the other participants in the courses I take with you are also mentors. I learn so much.

Miqquet Program participant and Rock Drawings, Rankin Inlet

Why do you photograph and what types of subjects are your favourites?

Photography for me is both a meditation and a spiritual practice. I receive great joy as much in the process as I do in the final product. Having photography in my life makes me slow down and always provides me with something to look forward to. I find I get great insights into life through photography that I would otherwise not have.

I try to get out every day or couple of days to engage in photography. When I am home in Toronto or at the cottage some of my favourite subjects are chipped paint, pavement designs, detritus, leaves, dead flowers, any kind of reflections, and even garbage. I am really beginning to appreciate making images in the “urban jungle” in the heart of the city.

I also love to make abstract painterly like images out of anything that might be around me at the time.

Rocking Horse Iceberg

Tell us about how your Nunavut series developed and what Nunavut and the images mean to you.

For over seven years now I have travelled in different parts of Nunavut in my work in adult education with a literacy organization called Ilitaqsiniq. I take photographs whenever I can when I am not working.

Nunavut is a very special place of great learning for me especially in the spiritual realm and the reinforcement of important life lessons. Everything about Nunavut has a haunting beauty and meaning for me. My work there coincided with my interest in photography. I love to take pictures of the land, the snow, rocks, old boats, icebergs and aspects of Inuit culture (like drying skins) that are a wonder to me.

More recently, I have been taking pictures of people in the programs I work with in Nunavut. This has stretched me and got me out of my comfort zone. At the urging of my career transitions coach, I had a show this year highlighting my Nunavut images with a special focus on a program I had worked with.

The Miqqut Program focused on traditional sewing while embedding literacy and essential skills. I included images of the women and their instructors from the program modeling the beautiful clothes they had made with such pride and confidence.

Where can we find your work online?

The easiest way to connect with Sue is through her Facebook page. Thank you, Sue!