Susanne Fenske’s Longtime Photography Passion Is Rewarded In The Sports PhotograpHER Magazine’s Second Ever Edition
Above photo courtesy of the Fenskes – Susanne with her husband, Ron
Susanne Fenske, who has done sports photography and other photography highlighting area athletes, seemingly forever, photos which they and their folks can save for perpetuity in their scapbooks, now has some very special ones to save for her scrapbook.
Susanne was recently honored by The Sports PhotograpHER magazine’s second edition using photos that she shared in a section titled “Moms on the Sidelines” and elsewhere.
The magazine is a full color, glossy publication, with this edition being sixty-six pages cover to cover. It is loaded with some amazing photos and material from professionals, that would benefit any amateur photographer on the ins-and-outs the “business.”
Editor-in-Chief and creator, Abigail Wrinn is one of those professionals. Credentialed for on court/field events for major sports teams she photograph’s courtside for both the Men’s and Women’s UConn Huskies basketball teams and pitchside for the USA Soccer program.
Abigail has an absolute passion in seeing sports photography among women continue to grow.
Some excerpts from a Letter fo the Editor on the inside cover: “Power doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like a woman standing inches from the action, credential around her neck, trusted by an organization to visually define a team’s identity. Sometimes it looks like consistency, access, responsibility – and the pressure of knowing your images represent more than a moment. Thewy represent a brand, a legacy, and a story in motion…
“At the heart of Issue Two is one undeniable truth: women in sports photography are powerful right now. That power shows up in leadership, vision, collaboration, and the courage to tell stories authentically. It shows up in women supporting women, opening doors, sharing knowledge, and building pathways for the next generation.”
It is pretty interesting how Susanne got in touch with The Sports PhotograpHER magazine.
Susanne shared, “I follow a good number of other photographers on Instagram. I love to see what they’re doing and appreciate their work. I started following the Sports PhotograpHER magazine account and saw the editor was seeking submissions for the latest issue. There was a list of categories they were looking to fill – one of them being “Moms on the Sidelines.”
“And that’s often how I refer to myself!”
Surprise, Surprise.
“I shared my account with the editor so she could see some of my work and she asked me to consider submitting photos.
“So, I selected a few to send back in the fall and really didn’t think about it again until she reached out to me at the beginning of March to let me know my photos were in the magazine! It was so surreal to see my work featured along with that of so many other amazing female sports photographers!”
Like many parents, Susanne’s journey in sports photography began with her kid’s involvement in sports.
“I have been taking photos my whole life. It’s something I have always enjoyed, but didn’t really start to appreciate sports photography until my two daughters started to get older and were swimming for the Clarion County YMCA Riversharks. As their skills grew, so did my attempts to capture their action in the water.
“The faster they got, the slower my equipment was!”
How to solve the dilemma? “So I began to research the kind of camera and lens I would need to improve the photos I was taking. I didn’t trust myself with some expensive, fancy camera when I still had so much to learn, so I purchased a used recommended sports camera off of eBay and did a lot of learning with it. Since then, my equipment and skills have continued to grow and I enjoy pushing myself in new situations to see what I can do.”
Susanne describes the joy she receives in sharing the photos.
“I have such a passion for photography as a hobby. Not only do I love taking photos and seeing what kinds of images I can preserve, but also because it’s a hobby that other people can benefit from. While I enjoy a well composed-image and good lighting, I’m very aware that I’ve taken the picture of someone’s child or grandchild, teammate or friend. So, sharing the photos is just as fun as taking them. And seeing other people share them and being proud of the athletes in those photos is so rewarding as well!”
Photography as therapy. “I juggle a lot of different demands on my schedule: I am a wife and mom and many people know I have a pretty rigorous position at the University (Susanne is a Vice President for all three Pennwest campuses). Photography has become not just a hobby, but a stress reliever, a sanctuary, a pastime, a way to spend time outside when the weather is nice and a way to get some exercise. Equally important – it’s a great way to support these incredible young people who all deserve their moments in the spotlight!”
The impact just keeps growing.
“What started as photos of my daughters, Kathryn and Megan, swimming, evolved into so much more. I started taking pictures of their teammates swimming and shared them with their moms. Then I started taking pictures of all the swimmers at their meets. Then it was their friends who were on the high school team (they swim on the Brookville co-op), then it was the other D9 swimmers who they knew.”
A very special connection occurred.
“Through my Brookville involvement I got connected with Rich Rhoades who is the sports editor for the Courier Express and he started using many of my photos in his articles. Eventually I started taking pictures of most of the D9 swimmers at meets and last year.
“Rich got me a media pass to be on deck at the PIAA State Championships for Swimming. It was so crazy being right in the thick of it at such a great event and took as many picture as I could! I figured out who some of those swimmers were and tagged them on Instagram and now I have MANY swimmers and other athletes from around the state following my account!”
The views are really continuing to grow!
“I was back on deck at States this year and took pictures of a lot of the same kids. In March my account has had 93,000 views and that continues to blow my mind! The biggest compliment these students give me is to say I take “fire” photos!”
“At the same time that evolution was happening within the swim community, I volunteered to serve as the Clarion-Limestone Booster Club media coordinator. I wanted to support the students and help to showcase their involvement. By running that Facebook account, I was able to share photos of several other awesome local sports photographers and also mine as well.
“People absolutely love to see their athletes in action and shared on that forum.”
Susanne realized it wasn’t enough just to do the Facebook page. “After the first few months it occurred to me that the students weren’t seeing their own photos because they weren’t on Facebook – but they’re all on Instagram! So, I started an Instagram account for the Booster Club and it has really been popular.
“The students share the posts on a regular basis and it’s a great way to reach a very different population. It’s also a great way for the students to support each other and to find out about different events happening in the district and on local teams since we have so many co-opted teams. I love it when the Wildcat teams made up of students from three and four districts play, because I can cover a lot of territory for the school yearbooks at those games!”
With camera in hand, the labor of love continues “undercover” at PennWest.
“Over the past year I’ve started to bring my camera to more and more events at the university since I attend them anyway. I took more photos at the athletic events over the winter break because the student photographers were all gone and I was happy to share them with the athletic department to use in their media releases.
“Then I started posting the photos online and the student athletes started following me on social media. Now they reach out to me and ask to come to their events and take pictures! My staff at the university actually jokes around and says that the students think I’m the university photographer and don’t really know what I do for my career!
“And I love it! It’s a great way to interact with the students and to support their time at PennWest!”
Immediate and future goals?
“At this point I’m just really enjoying the balance I have in my life and hope to keep finding time to take photos. One short-term goal I have for myself is to clean up my expansive photo collection! To date, I have almost 200,000 photos on my phone and ipad so it’s time for me to start sorting through them and cleaning them us.
“Another thing I’d like to do is find time to expand my photo editing skills. Having a good editing flow can really help to bring a new level of dynamics to your work, so I think that’s a good next step for me.
“Long-term? I have some crazy dreams about the type of swim competitions I’d like to photograph, but those are pretty far-fetched and I have a lot to learn before I get to that level! I do see myself continuing to do a lot of photography after I retire. But for now, I’m just really enjoying what I’m doing professional and personally.”
Susanne has numerous thank yous she wanted to share.
“There are so many people who have supported me through this wild journey that is totally tangential to my professional career!
“So many fellow photographers who laugh with me on the sidelines and love to talk shop with about lighting, equipment and refs getting in the way of all our good shots! Maria Wilson, Cheryl Marshall, Jess Zacherl, Brinley Kiskadden, Diane Lutz and many more! I love that we’re all in it together!
“Rich Rhoades and sports team at the Courier Express – who uses my photos often and also scores my media passes for me!
“Dave McClaine for taking the time to ask me about my journey as a sports photographer and for using many of my photos in the past!
“The PennWest Clarion athletic department and sports information team! My photos are featured in many of their articles and on Facebook. And so many coaches who love to share the photos I take of their teams.
“The PennWest social media staff – who appreciate that my photos are telling the PennWest story and share them often.
“My boss – President Jon Anderson – who fully supports me showing up to campus events with a camera or two in hand! And who encouraged me to travel to NCAA DII Swimming & Diving Nationals this March when the divers themselves asked me to go with them to photograph their journey there!
“My husband, Ron, who is a teacher at North Clarion High School. My daughters; Kathryn, who is a freshman at Duquesne, and Megan who is a junior at Clarion-Limestone. And the rest of my family, friends and coworkers – I cannot tell you how much time I have spent obsessing about photography, cameras, lenses, lighting, weather, editing and 1,000 other things – and they put up with it all! And I force them to be in photos all the time!”
“And the athletes themselves! Thanks for doing what you do, so I can do what I do!!”
And many of those who reap the benefits of photography, are very uplifting to Susanne.
“I have had so many people engage me in conversations as I’m walking around with my camera. They know me and they know my photos. I have been thanked by people for being present to capture moments they couldn’t see because they were at work while their kid was playing, by people who have sick relatives who can’t get to games but pour over my posts on Facebook and by people who have family and friends who live far away and wouldn’t ever have the chance to see their kids compete.
“And I consider all of that to be a gift to me. Again, having a hobby that brings other people joy is the most rewarding thing I could ask for.
“I am incredibly honored to have my work published and to have the chance to share my story. And, always so grateful that this community allows me to float around and take pictures of life as it unfolds!
“Feel free to follow me on Instagram: @susanne.fenske.photography.”
COMMENTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE WONDERFUL IMPACT SUSANNE HAS HAD
Wendy Snodgrass – Clarion County YMCA Riversharks and PennWest Clarion Director of Intercollegiate Athletics: “Susanne has had such a positive impact on our local youth sports programs and university events.
“Behind every great play, competition, concert, or event is a moment that she has made unforgettable.
“This is such a wonderful honor for Susanne and myself, and the hundreds of students and families, are so thankful to her for sharing her time and talents with us.”
Shannen Kemmer – C-L Booster Club President who has run the Youth Football Program for past ten years: “Susanne has been absolutely wonderful. She was able to get too many many events and she does a wonderful job. We are blessed to have her.”
Rich Rhoades: “Susanne is a fantastic photographer and she’s made me and my sports pages look great.
“It’s fun to be around someone who enjoys their job and for sure that’s the case with her. With swimming photography, it’s not easy. You have to know what you’re doing and you have to have the right equipment, but mostly you just want to be good at it and that’s Susanne.
“Her recent work from the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships at Bucknell was impressive, and she was just at the NCAA Championships out in Indiana.
“It wasn’t an easy turnaround for her, but she really went after everything our papers were looking for and the kids love it as well.”
Cheryl Marshall, Fellow sideline photographer: “Congratulations to Susanne! What an incredible accomplishment! She is so passionate and uses her gift to bless the athletes, parents, coaches, friends with amazing pictures.
“What started as a fun hobby for Susanne, has really turned into something special. Anyone who has had the pleasure of her taking photos at their events is incredibly lucky.
“She doesn’t just take pictures, she takes a moment and turns it into a cherished memory.
“Congratulations and thank you for sharing your talents with us!!”
Brinley Kiskadden – BK Media: “About Susanne, she has been a great mentor and her photography knowledge and advice have been very helpful for me, as a photographer.
“It’s so exciting to see Suzanne’s photos published in SportsPhotograpHER!”
Brehan Kelley, Head Swimming and Diving Coach at Penwest Clarion “A huge thank you and congratulations to Dr. Susanne Fenske for being recognized for her outstanding work photographing our student athletes in their element.
“We are incredibly grateful for everything she brings to our program. She has volunteered countless hours, often giving up her own weekends just to support our athletes.
“She has the unique ability to capture some of the most special moments that will become lasting memories for our athletes and coaches. Her impact goes far beyond photos.
“We are so lucky to have her!”
Clarion-Limestone Athletic Director, Brad Frazier: “We are very fortunate to have Susanne taking photographs at our events. She not only does an amazing job but she is also creating a lot of memories for our Clarion-Limestone families.”
Maria Wilson – Fellow “Mom’s on the Sideline” and longtime friend: “I first met Susanne’s husband Ron, at a Riversharks swim meeting. Our children quickly became best friends, as did Susanne and I. We bonded over being newcomers to the area—the Fenskes from Wisconsin and my family from Pittsburgh. Susanne has since become a dear friend; she is kind, witty, and brings me out of my shell. We share a deep passion for family, food, and photography.
“Susanne and I are self-taught photographers who began by capturing memories of our children. I think between the two of us, we could open a camera store with all the lenses and cameras we have.
“This shared interest led us to start a Facebook group called “Clarion Foto Freaks” alongside Diane Lutz, Cheryl Marshall, Di Smith, Jessica Zacherl, Tina Coleman and our youngest member Brinley Kiskadden. Our goal was to establish a supportive community where photography enthusiasts could share advice and learn together.
“I am often in awe of the amazing photos Susanne captures. Although I have been unable to take photos over the last couple of years, we have now returned to a friendly competition over who can get the best shot. She has come such a long way since we started, and seeing her work featured in SportsPhotograHER magazine has given her the recognition she deserves.
“I love Susanne like a sister and look forward to our friendship continuing to grow.
“I thank God for bringing her into my life.”
Another Mom behind the Lens and longtime contributor to the kids and area media, Diane Lutz: “Congratulations Susanne on your incredible success!
“Your talent behind the lens is inspiring, but it’s your kindness and willingness to encourage others that truly sets you apart.
“Thank you for the abundant support you’ve given me along my photography journey—it has meant more than you know.
“I’m so grateful to learn from and be uplifted by you.”
Jess Zacherl who has also been right there with Susanne: “Susanne’s recognition in Sports PhotograPHER! Magazine is so well deserved.
“What makes her stand out isn’t just her talent, but her generosity to our community as she goes out of her way to capture moments for our PennWest student-athletes and our local elementary and high school athletes, who might otherwise go unseen. She shares her work with family members of these athletes who then are able to keep these as treasured memories.
“She has truly elevated sports photography in our Clarion community and what I appreciate most is how she celebrates and supports each of our successes right alongside her own.”
(Congratulations to Susanne on this great honor and the great friendships you have made through this “Hobby” that you freely share!!!!
Thank you to all who contributed to this article!!!!)