Biography Sue Smith

Sue Smith is an award-winning, Australian photographer who is known for her shots of nature, industrial and structural subjects. Her use of light, angles and natural colour makes her work stunningly authentic, as Sue rejects the use of image-editing software.

Growing up in Germany, Sue was first introduced to a camera by her father at four years of age. He remained a primary influence in her style through his engineering and architectural background. His love of nature, water and ships were also passed on to Sue and is reflected in some of her most popular works. Sue continues to follow his philosophy to this day: “Keep focused! When you do it right in the first instance, it doesn’t need extensive photo editing. When you like it fancy, then create a digital abstract.”

Sue has spent time on both sides of the camera. In front of the camera, Sue’s work began in Frankfurt am Main when she was signed by a modelling agency. While modelling, she was introduced to an ad agency working on a detergent commercial. After doing that spot, she won roles in films and at the theatre at Kleines Haus – Wiesbaden Staatstheater.

Behind the camera, Sue started her career as a freelance photojournalist. Her work primarily focused on interviews and photos of musicians before or after concerts. Her subjects have included Freddie Mercury, Peter Maffay, Udo Juergens and The Lords.

Sue later emigrated to Australia where sue continued her career as photographer and registered her business as Adelaides Sue Smith Photography (ASSP) and December registered in December 2014 also as the owner of the renown ASSP Gallery Port Adelaide until her semi-retirement in 2018.

She has been an exhibitor at the Royal Adelaide Show, RSAYS Royal Australian Yacht Squadron Outer Harbor, Art Shows at Noarlunga, Port Adelaide Art Shows, Flagstaff Hill, Campbelltown, Art Show and also supervised the 2016 Rotary Port Adelaide Art Show which was comprised of 550 artworks in different styles and sizes.

Sue participated regularly during August at her own Art Gallery and later as exhibitor at several venues at South Australias largest visual Arts event: the SALA Festival.

In early 2019, Sue was ranked 10th out of top 15 photographers (international) for her award-winning version of the Adelaide Mall Spheres (aka The Balls).
Over the following months she organised her solo shows: a 2-week-event July 2019 in a hired Gallery with more than 150 photography and painted works of art. 
Sue was named Artist of the Month during September 2019 at the Port Adelaide-Enfield Council VIC Gallery showing 34 works of local Wildlife and Landmarks. She went then on with her next 100+ solo exhibition at The British Hotel in Port Adelaide, which ran from November 2019 to February 2020 including several changes of her work throughout the showing.

Also in November 2019 Sue’s photography from inside the historic Harts Mill Packing Shed was a Finalist in the South Australia Government Essence of Heritage Photo/Video Competition, and showcased at the Adelaide Convention Centre until Covid-19 hit South Australia. After lifting of the restrictions Sue's work could then be seen during October to November 2020 at the Adelaide Airport Exhibition in the Domestic Departure area.

While Sue’s gallery featured her own work, it was also a way for her to showcase other local artists and encourage others to express their emotions through art. This became a passion and launched her into other roles such as curator, supervisor and artist manager.

Sue has worked extensively with Aboriginal Australian artists and has a special bond with several indigenous tribes around the country.

Unfortunately, Sue has had a number of health issues throughout her life, but these have also shaped her art and her passion for connecting with people. Having survived leukaemia, skin cancer and a traffic accident, she is dedicated to supporting charities and organisations that support people in need. Sue donates proceeds from art sales, her work or her services to raise money for these worthy causes.

As a national and international award winner, Sue has received multiple accolades for her photography. The majority of these pieces are captured with the Olympus SP-550UZ and the Pentax-X5. While she originally worked with dSLR cameras, the impact of her shoulder injury from a work accident required her to change to digital equipment.

Sue is based in Adelaide, South Australia. She is hired by private and commercial clients and prefers to work outdoors as much as possible. She is also able to work with Marketing/PR companies, her works can be printed from business cards to large format and a range of materials suitable for commercial as well as domestic displays like photos and wallpaper on Perspex, even as kitchen and laundry splashback, wall panels, metal, wood, usw. Contact: info.ssmith@gmail.com

Remark:

Sue curated & supervised the 2016 Rotary Port Adelaide Art Show installation whith more than 500 works in all shapes, weights and sizes.