Susan Anderson Artist Profile Photo

Susan Anderson


Susan Anderson captures people who appear so unreal that it’s hard to believe it’s the person and not the photograph that has been altered. With a background in commercial and editorial photography, she has mastered the art of storytelling within a single frame. Her portraits of child beauty pageant contestants are especially striking in their stark honesty. These images were not staged—each was taken within the brief five-minute window allowed by contest organizers. Yet, the children, conditioned to pose flawlessly the moment a camera is pointed at them, perform with an unsettling precision. Their practiced expressions and poised gestures create an eerie contrast—while they play the role of polished beauty queens, their presence suggests a childhood accelerated far beyond its years.

Susan Anderson, Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame, Alex, Age 7 Nashville, Tennessee, 2008

ALEX, AGE 7 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2008

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame
Susan Anderson

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ALEX, AGE 7 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame

Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson, Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame, Kasinda, Age 8 Nashville, Tennessee, 2008

KASINDA, AGE 8 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2008

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame
Susan Anderson

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KASINDA, AGE 8 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame

Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson, Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame, Jacklyn, Age 7 Las Vegas, Nevada, 2008

JACKLYN, AGE 7 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 2008

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame
Susan Anderson

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JACKLYN, AGE 7 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame

Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson, Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame, Ashley, Age 7 Nashville, Tennessee, 2008

ASHLEY, AGE 7 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2008

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame
Susan Anderson

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ASHLEY, AGE 7 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame

Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson, Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame, Allison, Age 10 Nashville, Tennessee, 2008

ALLISON, AGE 10 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2008

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame
Susan Anderson

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ALLISON, AGE 10 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Fujiflex Supergloss print mounted on Dibond in white frame

Susan Anderson

Exhibitions