YOLO Spotlight - Susan Lord Bovey!
You may have seen Susan’s photographic work being displayed around town or at the Yolo County or State Fairs. Since everyone at KLJ Studios has admired her photos, it made sense to have her come in and get to her know more about her.
Besides working with photography, Susan has also worked in real estate since 1990 and is quite active in local groups and non-profits. She grew up in Pacific Grove and used to be quite the dancer; in fact, two of her five siblings joined ballet troupes.
In high school, she was one of the artsy kids and was very shy. As her interest in photography grew, she turned to landscape and fine art photography over portraits. Susan believes this was due to her shyness because “landscapes and scenery don’t expect you to talk to them”.
Susan came to Woodland in 1989 when her husband’s job offered the choice of Dunnigan or Los Angeles and she was adamant about not going to Los Angeles to raise her daughter.
What else did we learn about this vibrant Woodland resident?
FUN FACT #1
Susan has always been interested in photography, and was nurtured in this art by her father who admired Ansel Adams and took the family on trips to the Sierras and gave everyone a camera to use. The kids took photos of nature and shared them with each other after the film was developed. Her father knew many of the Central Coast photographers and she was fortunate to have some of them as teachers. (Including Ansel Adams!)
FUN FACT #2
It’s possible the shy high school girl has become more of an extrovert because, since coming to Woodland, Susan has kept busy joining the Woodland Camera Forum (trading off President duties), showing her work at the Viewpoint Gallery in Sacramento, doing a stint on the Board of Directors of Yolo Arts, being a member of the Woodland Opera House Guild, and yet somehow she still manages to find time to take pictures! Susan has also taught some classes at the Woodland Library’s Maker Space. And she is a member of the local group of the international Photographic Society of America. (Maybe she could also teach courses on time management since she is able to get so many things accomplished?)
FUN FACT #3
Susan is a consistent 1st Place winner at the state and county fair for her photography. You can view some of her landscape and fine art pieces here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bovey/. With all she does, she is still able to wind down by watching videos of animal rescues and roller coaster rides. Susan has enough sass in her personality to do what she needs, and wants, to do and has a diverse history, such as being a bodybuilder at one time, acting in a dinner Murder Mystery at a Woodland Library fundraiser, and whatever else she has squeezed into her life. (It’s very hard to keep up with her exploits and talents.)
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN HER LIFE RIGHT NOW?
1. Five years from now she envisions being able to retire and travel to some of the countries she has yet to visit. She would like to be remembered in the community for doing a good job in all of her endeavors and hope she is known for being honest and ethical.
2. Susan remembers the days when she had her daughter and worked full time while going to college at night. She remembered those struggles as she dealt with a bout of breast cancer and realized that it was time to jump into her bucket list and not take life for granted. Which leads to #3……….
3. As a child, Susan wanted to be a vulcanologist or seismologist. While those dreams did not come true, she settled for another option-tornado chasing! Yep, for the past five years this sassy lady goes on group tours and chases tornadoes. She will fly into Oklahoma City or Denver or other place, hop into a van with up to 12 other people (though COVID19 has dictated some changes in protocols) and takes off after tornadoes during tornado season. She insists this activity is very safe, though as one who grew up in the Midwest I still prefer to hide in the cellar if a tornado comes to town.
This is one lady who attacks her bucket list with the same fervor she attacks her photography, with enthusiasm and fearlessness. In the future, try and see a showing of her work. You will never be disappointed.