About the Artist

Suzanne Hansen Ofeldt, a seasoned photographer and the owner of Shewanders Photography, resides at the intersection of creativity and storytelling, Based in San Diego, California, she is a globetrotting visual artist capturing the essence of weddings, events, portraits, fine art, and commercial ventures for those who perceive the world through a unique lens Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the prestigious San Francisco Art Institute, Suzanne’s educational journey has been complemented by her studies at Grossmont College in San Diego and a Contemporary Art Certificate from the European Cultural Academy in Venice, Italy.

With a career spanning two decades, Suzanne has garnered recognition and accolades for her outstanding contributions to the world of photography. In 2019, she was awarded the First Friday ARTS DISTRICT Performance/Interactive Experience Grant and participated in a collaborative grant from the NTC Foundation. Suzanne’s artistic endeavors extend beyond traditional photography, as demonstrated by her role as the

Creative Director for “Wanderlings the Zine,” a collaborative project in San Diego. Her exhibition record reflects a diverse and rich portfolio, including a solo exhibition titled “Havana” at La Valencia Hotel in San Diego, as well as participation in group shows such as “Chapel of Tears” at Chris White Gallery in Wilmington, DE, and “The Art of Belonging'“ at You Belong Here in San Diego. Suzanne's impact on the art scene is evident in her role as Creative Director for “Wanderlings the Zine” and her dedicated internship program at Shewanders, nurturing the next generation of creative minds.

Suzanne’s lens has captured the visual narratives of institutions such as Cuyamaca College, San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla, The New Children’s Museum, and UCSD, among others. Her evocative work has been featured in Exquisite Weddings Magazine, reflecting the trust placed in her by clients ranging from educational institutions to renowned art and cultural organizations. As a multifaceted artist, Suzanne Ofeldt seamlessly blends her technical expertise with a keen eye for the emotional nuances of her subjects. Her commitment to the craft is mirrored in her collaborative ventures, educational initiatives, and philanthropic endeavors, such as the solo exhibition "Sweet" benefiting OrphanAid Africa. Suzanne’s artistic journey is a testament to her dedication, creativity, and ability to transcend the boundaries of traditional photography, capturing not just images but the very spirit of her subjects. Through Shewanders Photography and her diverse projects, Suzanne continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of visual storytelling.

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Dear Red, Tell Me Everything

This series of 24 photographs—printed on yard signs and displayed in a gallery that doubles as a writing workshop—captures the fleeting poetry of streets across continents. From Havana to Paris, Lisbon to San Diego, red emerges as the central thread: an anchor, a rhythm, a whisper asking us to pause and notice.

These images freeze moments mid-breath—a couple in a doorway, the bold outline of a motel sign, market stalls alive with color. They transform streets into stages for improvised lives, weaving a shared story across fairytale buildings, ferry boats, northern lights, and painted elephants. Red appears again and again—playful and persistent, a thread connecting distant cities.

The photographs, paired with green grass-like rugs, map the geography of red: in fleeting headlights, vibrant walls, rustling leaves, and familiar strangers. Like yard signs dotting a neighborhood, they blend home and wanderlust, turning the gallery into a space for storytelling and discovery.

Red symbolizes passion, love, courage, and vitality, but also conflict, revolution, and division. In the United States, it carries political weight, tied to ideologies that divide, yet remains a color many seek to reclaim—as a force of unity and humanity.

This work explores the connection between what we see and hear, linking photography, eavesdropping, gossip, and storytelling. It invites viewers to consider how visual and auditory fragments combine to shape narratives.

At its core, Dear Red, Tell Me Everything reflects a kinship between the photographer and the world—between you and these streets. Red begins the conversation. The rest is yours to write.

February 7th - March 7th
Inspirations Gallery—A program of San Diego Writers, Ink
2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Suite 204, San Diego, CA 92106
Artist Receptions: February 7th 6:30-8:30pm | March 7th 6:30-8:30pm

Swamp Carpet

In Suzanne Ofeldt's compelling exhibition, "Welcome Home Swamp Carpet," the viewer is invited to traverse an emotional landscape shaped by the compromise of safety within the domestic sphere. Through an evocative fusion of photography and installation, Ofeldt weaves a narrative rich with themes of overwhelm, anxiety, PTSD, financial insecurity, and gaslighting. The concept of home, intricately linked to mental well-being, unfolds as a battleground for a deeply personal struggle against the neglect of landlords and the impact of environmental forces. @swampcarpet

Berry Monochrome

It started out as an exercise in still life and monochromatic color. Quickly I was interested in the eternal plastic and ephemeral plant life. As the project unfolded I wondered at the personalities I projected upon the dolls and what metaphors the objects, flowers, colors implied. I also wondered at their relationships with each other and how our questions shape our personalities and choices.

There’s a long practice of using dolls to explore emotions. I really wanted the images to also exist in public spaces since life does as well. I wanted the involvement of the kindness and injustices people might share in public restrooms. Often females have escaped to the bathroom to reset their face and their attitudes before going back “out there”.  So often the touchstone of a friend or strangers support - or even my own reflection - has helped me navigate the bar scene. Especially younger me who I always think about and wish her well. I hope to collaborate with people who want to tell their stories with their words and my images.