Susan Lirakis began making photographs at the age of six, after receiving a camera as a baptism gift from her godparents, and she never stopped. Initially, she used medium format films and made silver prints in her home darkroom. Now, she creates primarily using digital cameras. She says, “I loved working in my darkroom, and I still use the Holga and other plastic cameras. Using those cameras helps keep alive the feeling I had making images when I was a child. I'm drawn to imagery that is dream-like and filled with feeling, tending toward archetypes.”

Susan has been a member of NHSPA since its inception. She was part of the original group that visited Appledore Island with Peter Randall, Gary Samson, and others, prior to the formal organization in 1998 and meetings on Star Island.

“I am curious about looking and I’m interested in exploring light and gesture. I am fascinated with what it is that makes us feel human. With my imagery, I work to acknowledge and celebrate persons and everyday phenomena.”

Recently, Susan has been working in series: a collection of mothers and daughters from the 1980s that she has revisited and re-photographed thirty to forty years later. Another series is called, "In Good Company," portraits of residents of her small town. A third series is of portraits of Tibetan nuns in exile. She is also actively expanding a series of portraits and interviews with people describing what makes them feel most alive, entitled “From Our Hearts, Sharing Our Stories,” which has been on-going.

Most recently, she has been making images of folks wearing plant-based wreaths. She says, “I alter the images to remove traces of literalness and to create more feeling of mythological timelessness. I also have a daily practice of adding to a visual journal through photographic imagery.”

“I’m interested in exploring processes of living, aging, and dying, and of myth and memory. Through my work I connect and ground physically in this world. I enjoy learning alternative ways to adequately interpret the work.”

Susan has received awards and fellowships through the NH State Council of the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, the Clowes Foundation, and McLaughlin Residency Fellowship.

You can see more about Susan Lirakis and her work on her website, http://www.susanlirakis.com