aspen colorado photographer and filmmaker

Tamara Susa Headshot

Tamara Susa | Photographer & Filmmaker

Tamara Susa is a documentary photographer whose work explores the issues related to the contemporary ecological crisis, and the relationship between humans and the environment.

She grew up in former Yugoslavia during a time of great political turmoil. A childhood in between wars, in a country that kept changing its name and the shape of its borders, inspired a deeper connection to the land itself regardless of the politics of it. The urge to protect the environment from human destruction has been embedded in her consciousness ever since she witnessed bombs falling on her hometown as a ten-year-old girl.

Now, decades later, as an adventurer living in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, she is bearing witness to a different kind of destruction that is at the center of the work she creates. The anthropogenic climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our generation. When her niece was born in December of 2019, it inspired an activist in her, wanting this child to grow up in a world where we still have winters.

Influenced by the visual aesthetic of the pioneers of American landscape photography, Tamara strives to continue their legacy as stewards of the wilderness. Through her work, she invites the viewer to engage with questions about the future of the environment, learn how to better interact with the landscape, and live within the limits of nature.

Tamara focuses her photography not on the destruction, but on landscapes vulnerable to environmental changes, showing a haunting record of what we are rapidly losing. She wants to seduce the viewers with the beauty of our natural world, so that it evokes the urge to protect it, and inspires people to make change. It is the visual interpretation of “soliphilia”, the love of land and interconnectedness of all species on earth.

Her work is grounded in research, as well as collaboration with organizations such as Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

EDUCATION

MA - University of The Arts London, London, UK

Photojournalism and Documentary Photography

BA - Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Communications & Media, Spanish Language

Part 107 Licensed Drone Pilot

My native language is Serbian, and I am fluent in English, Spanish and Croatian.

I am a Level 2 Certified AASI Snowboard instructor, as well as Freestyle Specialist 1. I have taught snowboarding at Aspen/Snowmass and The Kingdom of Lesotho.

My goal is to snowboard on every continent. 6/7 checked off the list!

 

Voted Best Local Photographer in 2023!

Tamara Susa Best of Aspen Photographer 2023

EXHIBITIONS

May 2025-May 2027 - Aspen City Hall Featured Artist

June 2024-August 2024 - “A Farewell To Ice” Aspen, Colorado

June 2024-October 2024 - “FEMA Artworks: Climate Resiliency, Photography and Storytelling”
Denver, Colorado; Ogden, Utah; Dickinson, North Dakota

December 2022-February 2023 - “Disturbance” Aspen, Colorado

November 2021 - “Common Grounds” London, UK

September 2021 - “Climate Emergency Network: Material Heroes” London, UK

December 2020 – “Disturbance” Aspen, Colorado

May 2020 – “Kennen Sie Serbien?” Regensburg, Germany

September 2019 – “To Behold” Aspen, Colorado

June 2019 – “U Pokretu” Belgrade, Serbia

COMMERCIAL CLIENTS

Aspen/Snowmass, Snowmass Tourism, Colorado Tourism, Ski Portillo Chile, ESPN, Aspen Chamber, Ice Axe Expeditions, Surf Synergy Costa Rica, Belly Up Aspen,Tu Chetumal, Strafe Outerwear, Shredly, Flaxta, Rossignol, United Airlines, Outside TV, React Presents, North Coast Music Festival, Summerset Music Festival, Spring Awakening Music Festival, The Buddy Program, Aspen Art Museum, Dom Perignon, Veuve Cliquot, Folsom Skis, Thrive Snowboards, Anon

awards

2025-2027 - “2 Legs Is 2 Easy” BANFF Film Festival World Tour

2025 Tokyo Foto Awards - Silver in Fine Art/Landscape

2025 Barcelona Indie Film Awards - “80 For 80” Nominee

2024 Paris Photo Prize - Silver in Fine Art/Landscape

2024 NEPSA Film Awards - “2 Legs Is 2 Easy”, Winner

2023 Best of Aspen/Snowmass - Best Local Photographer

2023 Paris Photo Prize - Bronze in Fine Art/Landscape Category

2023 NEPSA Photo Awards - Most Scenic Photo, 1st place

2023 NEPSA Film Awards - “Drunk History”, 3rd place

2022 NEPSA Photo Awards - Best Action Shot, 1st place

2022 NEPSA Film Awards - “The Braid Hole”, 2nd place

2019 People’s Choice Art Show - Best in Show

2019 ROAM Awards - Finalist

2019 NEPSA Photo Awards - Most Scenic Photo, 1st place

2017 Roaring Fork Conservancy Photo Contest - Winner

RESIDENCIES & Grants

2024 Anderson Ranch Art Center, The Photobook Workshop

2023 The Arctic Circle Art and Science Residency

2023 FEMA Art for Climate Resiliency Grant Recipient

Publications

Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Backcountry Magazine, Freeskier Magazine, Outside Magazine, Powder Magazine, Ski Magazine, Business Insider, Ascent Magazine, The Grom Guide,

Travel + Leisure Magazine, Thrillist, Aspen Peak, Aspen Magazine, Mountain Living,

Texas Lifestyle Magazine, The Gazette, The Bend

Tamara Susa is an Aspen Colorado photographer and filmmaker whose passion for adventure and the outdoors drives her creative vision. Specializing in landscape photography and documentary filmmaking, Tamara's work captures both the quiet beauty of nature and the intensity of extreme sports. With a focus on environmental storytelling, she blends art with adventure, creating visual narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.