STories
type: channel
description: Photography and Multimedia by photographer Suzanne Tennant
date: 2018-05-24T20:01:47Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
generator agent: https://wordpress.org/
items: Thank He or She for the Babcias in this World
items: Fall Family Portraits
items: Toga! Toga!
items: A Run to Remember
items: Learning to Hunt Jackrabbits with Miles Davis
items: Monster Margaritas + Wild Waves + Mass Humanity = Fun I Phone Photo Project!
items: Beauty and The Bump
items: Alissa & Zach
items: Happy Bruce Day!
items: Mexican Pride

Thank He or She for the Babcias in this World
type: item
date: 2018-05-24T17:01:58Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
description: One of the best things that came out of one of my first jobs was befriending a woman named Krys Chlebek. I’d like to think we became friends because we shared similar intellectual interests, but honestly, I think we bonded over our mutual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that we disguised as some sort of deep, meaningful, […]
encoded: <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1891" title="0518_Bobcia_SKT_-2" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/0518_Bobcia_SKT_-2-1024x679.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="656" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/0518_Bobcia_SKT_-2-1024x679.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/0518_Bobcia_SKT_-2-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /> One of the best things that came out of one of my first jobs was befriending a woman named Krys Chlebek. I’d like to think we became friends because we shared similar intellectual interests, but honestly, I think we bonded over our mutual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that we disguised as some sort of deep, meaningful, existential angst. Training for marathons, hitting Chicago events and sharing online (and offline) dating stories did not link us like the daily conversations involving the question: “Why the hell are we here and WTF is going to happen to us when we die?” ….and repeat….. Krys tells me that her last name “Chlebek” in Polish means, “little bread”. And how appropriate, because when I would visit her family home on the Northwest side of Chicago her babcia (grandmother) from Poland would have about eight Polish bakeries worth of cakes, breads, and cookies out on the counter for us to eat. I loved visiting that home because after running around Chicago, trying to hunt down the perfect profession or the best mate, I’d open the door to the Chlebek house and suddenly the world was comforting: it had order, answers, and baked goods. When you entered their home, you never knew what smells would waft your way ; her mother and father would come to hug you and say “Hello Suzi! Come in, have something!” (Their Polish accents, thankfully, were not affected by living in this country for over 40 years). After walking up the stairs, Babcia would stick her head out of her bedroom and wave, only to go back to listen to Polish radio …

Fall Family Portraits
type: item
date: 2017-10-04T19:05:51Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
subject: candid photography
subject: children's photographer
subject: fall
subject: family photographer
subject: Family photography
subject: family portraits
subject: Highland Park
subject: IL
subject: Sunset Woods Park
description: Fall is one of my favorite seasons to capture families and children in natural light. The sun is low, the temperature is right and the leaves are just starting to show their colors. A couple of weeks ago I photographed the darling Bendat – Appell family on a sunny Sunday morning in Highland Park, IL. […]
encoded: Fall is one of my favorite seasons to capture families and children in natural light. The sun is low, the temperature is right and the leaves are just starting to show their colors. A couple of weeks ago I photographed the darling Bendat – Appell family on a sunny Sunday morning in Highland Park, IL. After the first ten minutes, photographing the baby was like attempting to capture a fly in chopsticks Mr. Miyagi style. But, his supreme cuteness made me want to get him even more, so I chased him until he pretty much hated me. Thanks for being such a great family to work with Bendat – Appells, and thanks for helping me get my workout in early that day – it was an honor and so much fun. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1861" title="091217_skt_BendatAppel-8" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-8-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-8-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-8-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1862" title="091217_skt_BendatAppel-9" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-9-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-9-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-9-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-9.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1863" title="091217_skt_BendatAppel-11" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/091217_skt_BendatAppel-11-1024…

Toga! Toga!
type: item
date: 2017-09-11T22:22:25Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
description: I’ve been able to re-vist the “glory days” of college through a number of photo shoots I’ve had over the years. Lake Forest College, Washington University, Loyola and Northwestern have allowed me to go back from time to time. (Washington University photos shot for Red Box Pictures in Seattle) I also had the honor of […]
encoded: I’ve been able to re-vist the “glory days” of college through a number of photo shoots I’ve had over the years. Lake Forest College, Washington University, Loyola and Northwestern have allowed me to go back from time to time. (Washington University photos shot for Red Box Pictures in Seattle)<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1854" title="University of Washington football team opens up the new Husky Stadium against Boise State University" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/uw-boise-st-skt-p33-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/uw-boise-st-skt-p33-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/uw-boise-st-skt-p33-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/uw-boise-st-skt-p33.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1833" title="_MG_0904" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_0904-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_0904-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_0904-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_0904.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1834" title="926T0154" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/926T0154-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/926T0154-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/926T0154-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/926T0154.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1835" title="_MG_8923" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploa…

A Run to Remember
type: item
date: 2017-08-04T19:43:30Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
description: I’ve always been a sunset kind of person, but a couple of weeks ago I learned to love and respect the dawn. I had to wake up at 3 a.m. on a Sunday to shoot an event in Chicago for Wear Blue:Run to Remember at the Chicago Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon. I watched the sun […]
encoded: I’ve always been a sunset kind of person, but a couple of weeks ago I learned to love and respect the dawn. I had to wake up at 3 a.m. on a Sunday to shoot an event in Chicago for Wear Blue:Run to Remember at the Chicago Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon. I watched the sun come up over the Chicago River while volunteers (which included family members of fallen soldiers) line a mile of the race with photos of their deceased loved ones in preparation for the race. After a quiet prayer circle, the echoes of the names of those lost to war bounced off of the skyscrapers as each of the 150 volunteers called them out. Soon after, runners came by to touch flags and kiss the photos of lost husbands, children, parents, and friends. It was only after the race that I learned the woman who hired me had started Wear Blue after she lost her young husband in Afghanistan. This brave young mother of three young children could have given up, but she took her grief and made something great out of it. I encourage everyone to discover and support this great organization started by Lisa Hallett. Her story and the story of the organization’s beginnings can be seen here. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1808" title="071617-WearBlue_skt-p13" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/071617-WearBlue_skt-p13-661x1024.jpg" alt="" width="661" height="1024" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/071617-WearBlue_skt-p13-661x1024.jpg 661w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/071617-WearBlue_skt-p13-193x300.jpg 193w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/071617-WearBlue_skt-p13.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 661px) 100vw, 661px" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1801" title="071617-WearBlue_skt-p2" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/071617-WearBlue_skt-p2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/071617…

Learning to Hunt Jackrabbits with Miles Davis
type: item
date: 2017-04-28T20:40:09Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
subject: berkutchi
subject: Eric Benson
subject: falconry
subject: golden eagle
subject: hunting
subject: Lauren McGough
subject: NAFA
subject: NAFA 2016
subject: Oklahoma
subject: raptors
subject: The National Magazine
description: I was fortunate enough to attend the NAFA (National American Falconer’s Association) 2016 meet in Elk City, OK to photograph and cover the only woman in the United States who hunts with a golden eagle for Amtrack’s magazine “The National”. After covering a wild mustang story together for “Hemispheres Magazine”, writer Eric Benson and I […]
encoded: I was fortunate enough to attend the NAFA (National American Falconer’s Association) 2016 meet in Elk City, OK to photograph and cover the only woman in the United States who hunts with a golden eagle for Amtrack’s magazine “The National”. After covering a wild mustang story together for “Hemispheres Magazine”, writer Eric Benson and I set our sites on a new goal and found this amazing young woman and her passion for raptors. In the article, you will learn about Lauren McGough, how she became a berkutchi in Mongolia and how she is one of the few females who is a part of NAFA. You’ll also learn about the beauty and frustration of hunting for jackrabbits with the massive beast she calls a “Prarie Dragon”. Eric and I went on two hunts with Lauren and Miles (along a with a team of “scare-boys”), and I have to say is it’s akin to running a hilly half marathon – often with no prize at the end. During the chase, I was able to observe Lauren and Miles through my 200mm lens and all I could think was, “They look like they’re going to take off together.” They were truly a team. Photographers and writers often work separately, and I think it does a disservice to the written and visual parts storytelling – so it was great to be a team with Eric again. With that said, I’m leaving the words to him – you can read it online here: http://www.amtrakthenational.com/lauren-mcgough-mother-of-dragons. As for some of the visuals, you can come along with us to the fields of Oklahoma and experience some of what it was like to hunt for miles….. with Miles. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1763" title="GC8A0468" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GC8A0468-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GC8A0468-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GC8A0468-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GC8A0468.jpg 1500w" s…

Monster Margaritas + Wild Waves + Mass Humanity = Fun I Phone Photo Project!
type: item
date: 2017-03-09T20:33:15Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
subject: booze
subject: children
subject: Midwest
subject: water park
subject: water slides
subject: winter break
subject: Wisconsin
subject: Wisconsin Dells
description: Several years ago my brother and his wife started taking their kids up to Wilderness Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells for a little mid-winter break. It wasn’t their usual vacation, but they started to enjoy the benefits of a weekend with a bunch of other midwesterners in a faux-tropical environment filled with chlorinated water, screeching […]
encoded: Several years ago my brother and his wife started taking their kids up to Wilderness Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells for a little mid-winter break. It wasn’t their usual vacation, but they started to enjoy the benefits of a weekend with a bunch of other midwesterners in a faux-tropical environment filled with chlorinated water, screeching children, and margaritas the size of a human head. He always said, “You’ve got to see this place”. Last year I finally went and witnessed the most bizarre environment I’d ever seen: Fathers floating on “The Lazy River” with a napping infant, families gathered together on towels with babies and booze, grandparents taking a plunge down the treacherous “Hurricane”. What a perfect sociological study! What a perfect photo project! I quickly realized that I couldn’t pull out my large camera, as I’d really look creepy and probably get kicked out. So this year I documented some of it on my i phone. My niece told me I looked creepy anyway, so I eventually stopped shooting. I think what I got was worth it; I want the world to witness this American phenomenon without the suffering. Enjoy – I bet you can almost smell the chlorine and tequila. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1701" title="Screen Shot 2017-03-02 at 11.16.12 AM" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-02-at-11.16.12-AM-770x1024.png" alt="" width="770" height="1024" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-02-at-11.16.12-AM-770x1024.png 770w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-02-at-11.16.12-AM-225x300.png 225w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-02-at-11.16.12-AM.png 893w" sizes="(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1695" title="waterpark-p8" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/waterpark-p8.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="1200" srcse…

Beauty and The Bump
type: item
date: 2017-02-22T21:04:15Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
subject: candid
subject: Chicagoland
subject: documentary wedding photography
subject: humor
subject: Northwest Indiana
subject: wedding photographer
subject: weddings
encoded: <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1677" title="wedding of Julie & Rodrigo at Lake Crescent Lodge in Port Angeles, Wash." src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Julie-Rodrigo-Select-405-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Julie-Rodrigo-Select-405-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Julie-Rodrigo-Select-405-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Julie-Rodrigo-Select-405.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1680" title="_MG_4190" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MG_4190-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MG_4190-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MG_4190-300x200.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MG_4190.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" />

Alissa & Zach
type: item
date: 2016-10-12T21:23:40Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
subject: Grand Geneva
subject: Lake Geneva
subject: Midwest
subject: Wedding photography
subject: weddings
subject: Wisconsin
description: On October 1st, I spent a rainy but beautiful Saturday at the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI photographing the wedding of Alissa & Zach. Alissa’ s family has been neighbors and friends with my family for over 50 years and this connection made it an extra special wedding shoot. Like any wedding day, […]
encoded: On October 1st, I spent a rainy but beautiful Saturday at the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI photographing the wedding of Alissa & Zach. Alissa’ s family has been neighbors and friends with my family for over 50 years and this connection made it an extra special wedding shoot. Like any wedding day, there inevitably were perfect and imperfect moments, and I was so glad to be there for all of them. In the end, the beautiful moments stood out – even during the most stressful parts of the day. Zach and Alissa grew up in the same neighborhood and were buddies throughout childhood. When they were 12 Zach told Alissa he was going to marry her. When they were in their teens, Zach hid outside and waited for Alissa to break up with a boy that was wrong for her. When he left, Zach rang the doorbell to ask Alissa to their prom. And… the rest is history. Congratulations you two! It was an amazing privilege to photograph your big day! <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1658" title="_MG_5037small" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5037small-1024x677.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="654" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5037small-1024x677.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5037small-300x198.jpg 300w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5037small.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1659" title="_MG_5260small" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5260small-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5260small-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5260small-200x300.jpg 200w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MG_5260small.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1660" ti…

Happy Bruce Day!
type: item
date: 2016-09-23T22:12:37Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
subject: birthday
subject: Bradley Stadium
subject: Bruce Springsteen
subject: First Concert
subject: Milwaukee
subject: Soldier Field
subject: The River
subject: Tour
description: Happy Birthday Bruce! I just read “Vanity Fair’s” article on Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, “Born to Run”, and he talks about how he has a major let – down after his concerts are over. It’s comforting to know he feels the pain too. I remember after one of his concerts with a friend I said, “What? […]
encoded: Happy Birthday Bruce! I just read “Vanity Fair’s” article on Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, “Born to Run”, and he talks about how he has a major let – down after his concerts are over. It’s comforting to know he feels the pain too. I remember after one of his concerts with a friend I said, “What? We’re just supposed to leave now and go back to our normal, boring lives?” I took this photo last April for Backstreets Magazine during Bruce Springsteen’s “The River” tour in Milwaukee. It was an extra special shoot because my brother Steve was also at the concert and he had seats right behind the stage. While I was standing on the platform with the other photographers, we saw each other and I snapped a photo of him with my sister-in-law, Debbie. At that moment I was so happy we got to share another Springsteen concert experience. We’re all looking a little older, but that same energy is there. After begging to see The Police at age 13 and Tears for Fears at 15, I was finally allowed to go to my first concert at 16. On August 9, 1985, I went to see Bruce at Soldier Field with Steve and a friend. It was general admission, so we had to wait most of the day outside of the stadium. We sat on the sidewalk in the heat for hours until they opened the doors, and when the moment came, all I remember is my brother yelling, “Run!” We tore through people and fought our way to the front part of the field (not front row but we were closer than mid -field). After 4 hours of amazingness and the dark, electric drive home, I took a bath, the water turned black, and I realized great things are worth waiting for. Even if you have to leave them. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1644" title="stevedebbw" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/stevedebbw-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/stevedebbw-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/steved…

Mexican Pride
type: item
date: 2016-09-12T17:07:50Z
creator: suztennant
subject: Uncategorized
description: This little girl made September 11 a little brighter. 5- year-old Nancy Venega on her horse before the start of East Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day Parade, Sunday September 11, 2016.
encoded: This little girl made September 11 a little brighter. 5- year-old Nancy Venega on her horse before the start of East Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day Parade, Sunday September 11, 2016. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1634" title="0912165-nws-mexican-p4" src="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/0912165-nws-mexican-p4A-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="990" height="659" srcset="http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/0912165-nws-mexican-p4A-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://suzannetennant.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/0912165-nws-mexican-p4A-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" />