Portfolio for Independent Schools
I gathered these samples to show how my skillset and perspective could shape school communications. Most of these projects are not directly related to a school setting, but I hope they show my abilities.
Alumni Communications: St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University president David Armstrong (right) was in DC for an event and connected with alumnus Michael Leach, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Director in the Biden administration. I took these photos for the university magazine. Carlos de Yarza, Vice President for Marketing & Communications at St. Thomas, wrote in a Google review: "In 2022, it is rare to find the level of responsiveness, service, and talent possessed by Susannah at Lifetime Lens. [...] Susannah spoke to me confidently, and put me at ease about the photoshoot. The next day, she met the talent, and handled the session expertly and beautifully. The resulting images were glorious, and one of them will be featured on a two-page spread of an upcoming university publication."
School Promotion Video: Ross Elementary
A video to inspire generosity among the parents at the annual auction. Judging by the laughter and tears in the room, I think it worked.
Magazine Style Profile with Photos: Community Forklift
All Kinds of Value in Salvage
Community Forklift transforms building waste and builders’ lives
In a cavernous, dusty warehouse in Prince George’s County last weekend, Christmas lights twinkled and shoppers in winter coats and hats sipped hot cider alongside plumbing parts, door handles, and cabinet sets. Kids waited to take photos with a jolly Santa, wearing a tool belt, whose stiff felt beard hung like a bib from his face. Near the loading dock, a local woodworker was giving lessons on carving spoons from old logs.
Read the rest of this feature story, with photo captions
News Profile: Photojournalism Student
Dean Pagani
His next act
"I think I have plenty of photos to work with, so now it's about editing," Dean tells the class. Some of the rest of us are still trying to figure out exactly what our stories are about, more than a month before the due date. The week before, Dean gave us a taste of his project, behind-the-scenes and sometimes snarky shots revealing the mundane reality of the supposedly grand press area in the US Capitol. Staffers slouch with their smartphones just out of range of the video cameras as their representatives give strident interviews. Bored news people camp out, surrounded by gear, waiting for a story that is long in coming. A young congressman giving an interview looks buttoned-up for the camera, but is wearing gym shorts and sneakers below the frame.