ABOUT ME
My name is Susan Ward, and I am a photographer based in Spokane, Washington. I’ve been an animal lover my whole life—happily “owned” by many horses, dogs, and cats—so tuning in to an animal’s personality comes naturally to me. That connection helps me capture their beauty, quirks, and spirit in a way that feels honest and alive. And yes, I photograph people too! I especially love creating artistic, cinematic portraits in interesting, meaningful locations.
In a world where phones take decent pictures, why hire a professional? Because the difference between a nice snapshot and a truly memorable, wall‑worthy portrait is all in the details. Years of training have taught me how to use light, setting, and posing to bring out the best in every subject. With animals, that means catching the spark in their eyes, their playfulness, and the way they show love and loyalty. With people, it’s about expression, connection, and creating images that feel like you. Every final image is carefully edited so it looks polished, intentional, and ready to display.
What really sets my work apart is that I don’t want your images to disappear into a forgotten folder on your computer. Portraits are meant to be seen and enjoyed. That’s why I help you turn your favorite images into something lasting: gallery‑wrapped wall art, storytelling series, custom albums, or meaningful gifts for the people you love. You can order everything directly from your private client gallery, making the process simple and fun.
TESTIMONIALS
JULIANNE
"Susan photographed my Norwegian Fjord mares and me. She helped choose our location, time of day, and suggested outfits for our shoot. I anticipated the shoot would be chaotic with 3 horses, but Susan handled it with ease. She chose a scenic location and posed us in perfect lighting. I was amazed at how many good shots I had to choose from, since we were moving targets with the horses noodling each other and my dress blowing about me. I am so pleased with the photos and recommend Susan without reservation!"
STEPHANIE
"Susan was an absolute joy to work with. She was always open to questions and worked with us collaboratively. She dedicated time to select the best location/time of day to take our pictures. She even helped us to select our attire! During the shoot, she helped us have fun and look natural in the pictures. She never rushed any part of the shoot. Susan showed sincere dedication to provide us with the best experience possible and gave us heartwarming pictures that we will treasure for a lifetime.”
GAIL
"Susan came to my house and used my living room as the studio to photograph my dog, Sophie. She took some of just Sophie and some of the two of us. Sophie is shy and Susan had some techniques to get her to look at the camera. Sophie is a treasured part of my life and I am thrilled to have a portrait of the two of us. I chose my favorite photo to frame. I wish I had portraits of my previous dogs! It's a wonderful keepsake. I highly recommend hiring Susan to create your pet portraits. You'll be glad you did!”
ALISON
"Susan is incredibly talented! Her photos are gorgeous. She put so much thought and planning into my photo shoot. I couldn't be more thrilled!”
NATASHA
“Susan was beyond amazing and captured the moments that are sometimes lost when watching dressage. It was so cool to see the concentration on my face and my horse's; along with the grace of our equine counterparts. I would highly recommend Susan for any photography needs, equestrian related or not.”
KAYCE
"Susan is a delight to be around, adaptive to her environment, highly skilled in her craft and dedicated to customer satisfaction! I was extremely happy with my equine photos she captured for my website! I highly recommend her services for equine and other pet photography!"
LORI
“I had the pleasure of having Susan do a photoshoot with my horses, mules and dogs. Susan was a pleasure to work with, she listened to what I wanted, she surveyed the property to find areas with quality lighting and attractive backgrounds to ensure the highest quality images. Susan spent time getting to know my dogs to be able to capture their individuality and personalities in her photographs. Susan's experience with horses allowed her to be comfortable with my equines.”