Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Brown.
Hi Sue, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sue Brown’s journey as an artist began in the first grade, when a drawing of two frogs on a lily pad earned her a blue ribbon and sparked a lifelong love of art. That passion was matched only by her devotion to horses. Growing up, she spent countless hours sketching and painting them, showing her family’s horses, and assisting her mother, a professional equine photographer. These early experiences laid the foundation for a career that would eventually blend artistry, storytelling, and a deep connection to the equestrian world.
A Hawaiian native raised in Texas and now based in Minnesota, Sue’s work is deeply rooted in her lifelong love of horses, competitive riding, and the western lifestyle. Professionally, she built a successful career in advertising and marketing, managing campaigns for major national brands. She also thrived in the show ring, winning multiple U.S. and Canadian national championships in reining and western pleasure—all while continuing to pursue her art whenever time allowed.
But it was a transformative trip to Alaska that shifted her creative path. Viewing the arresting wildlife and scenery through a camera lens, Sue felt a profound pull toward photography. She put aside her paints and pencils and embraced the camera as her primary medium.
Since then, Sue has developed two complementary styles of photography. Her western work pays homage to the gritty beauty of cowboy life and the iconic imagery found in magazines like Western Horseman and The Quarter Horse Journal. Drawing inspiration from painters like Russell and Remington, she often uses painterly overlays to add texture, depth, and emotion to her images.
Her second style focuses on the elegance and power of hot- and warmblood horses such as Arabians and Andalusians, often with bold graphic treatments that honor each breed’s heritage. Whether capturing a cowboy at dusk or a stallion in full gallop, Sue’s work explores the tension between grit and grace, realism and reverence, movement and stillness. Her goal is to speak authentically to horsemen through shared experience, while creating joyful connection for those who’ve never ridden.
Today, Sue is joined on photography road trips by her adorable Australian Shepherd, who—despite his enthusiasm to be a great co-pilot—is still learning to master the GPS. Together, they chase light, beauty, and the stories of horses waiting to be told.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Sue’s path to becoming a fine art photographer has been anything but linear. Like many artists, her journey has included moments of doubt, detours, and quiet resilience.
One of her earliest setbacks came just before graduating high school, when she attended a college art fair to explore the possibility of art school. After sharing her portfolio with recruiters, she was met with dismissive feedback that left a lasting mark. Feeling discouraged, Sue put away her art supplies and didn’t return to drawing for years. That experience planted a seed of self-doubt—but also a quiet determination that would later resurface in unexpected ways.
In 2019, Sue faced a deeply personal crossroads that tested her resolve. Rather than retreat, she poured herself into her art, using photography as both a creative lifeline and a source of renewal. That period of focused growth marked a dramatic shift in her work and a deeper commitment to her craft.
While Sue doesn’t dwell on the difficult chapters, she acknowledges that they shaped her perspective and deepened her artistic voice. Her journey is one of perseverance—and a testament to the idea that sometimes the most meaningful work emerges from life’s most challenging moments.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Sue’s ability to blend painterly techniques with photographic realism has become a hallmark of her work. It’s common for viewers to ask, “Is that a painting?”
She also regularly hears horsemen and ranchers say they see themselves reflected in her images. She believes this is because her images capture the authenticity and details that only someone who’s lived it can understand.
“So many photographers just want to take a picture of a horse or slap a cowboy hat on a model and hope it transforms them a cowboy,” she says. “No one in my photos is simply a model. Horsepeople can smell a cosplay cowboy from a mile away. The authenticity is either there or it isn’t.”
Her signature style results in richly textured, emotionally resonant, and visually immersive photographs that tell a story everyone can enjoy.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
For Sue, her membership in the Crosstown Camera Club has been more than just a monthly gathering—it’s been a cornerstone of her artistic development, providing a consistent source of education, inspiration, and community.
Each month, members are treated to lectures from some of the region’s most accomplished photographers, covering a wide range of topics from technical mastery to creative vision. These sessions offer not only insight but also a chance to explore diverse perspectives and styles.
One of the club’s most impactful features is its monthly salon, where members may submit up to three images for critique. A rotating panel of judges evaluates the entries, sharing results and offering constructive feedback during the meeting. Each image is presented to the group, and the judge’s commentary provides invaluable guidance—highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and why.
For Sue, this process has been transformative. “It’s not easy at first,” she admits, “to summon the courage to share your work publicly and open yourself to critique. But the growth that comes from it is immeasurable.” The experience has sharpened her eye, refined her technique, and deepened her understanding of what makes a photograph resonate.
Beyond technical improvement, the club fosters a spirit of exploration. Exposure to a wide array of styles and philosophies keeps members creatively engaged. Sue notes that she always leaves meetings feeling inspired and motivated to try something new.
Her advice to fellow artists? “I highly recommend joining groups like this if you’re serious about elevating your craft. There’s no better place to receive honest, constructive feedback and support from others who share your passion.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suebrownphotography.com
- Instagram: sue_brown_photos
- Facebook: Sue Brown Photography
- Other: (TikTok) SUEBROWNphotography
