Susan J. Smith’s fascination with photography and its gift of telling a whole story in one detail began as a child with her curiosity about what went on in a neighbor’s darkroom.

Through a career as a journalist, a stint as a fashion buyer and now traveling the world for her travel blog, DesignDestinations, her eye for beauty is revealed. Her instinctive recognition of the threads that unite us reach out to the viewer from each of her photographs.

She and her husband, Jack live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have two adult married children and four grandchildren.

Passionate about her community, one of her proudest contribution is having been one of the founders of Grand Rapids Gilda’s Club, an emotional/social support community for people living with cancer and their family and friends.

Today, her happy place away from home is in a plane headed to the remote, the unknown or a favorite but ever changing landscape. Often the destination includes a photo workshop to enhance or expand her skills.

Then, coupled with a talent that is given but cannot be taught, Susan heads out with her camera to see what she can see.