Biography
In the mid 1960’s Susie grew up on a coffee plantation in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea, 'Gumanch Plantation' - named after the river running through it.
The youngest of four daughters, Susie had an exotic childhood, experiencing the early days of the coffee industry in the recently discovered highlands of PNG. Witnessing first contact with the western world, for the remote highlander tribes.
In the mid 1970’s during proceedings of independence in PNG, Susie's mother Caroline took her daughters to Sydney for the opportunity of a better education. Susie’s father, local legend Dick Hagon stayed behind to run Gumanch Plantation, and has remained in PNG to this day.
Check out the short documentary about my life in PNG.
PNG History from Susie Hagon on Vimeo.
Susie’s passion for photography began when she was just a teenager. Soon after finishing school she went straight into working as a photographer’s assistant in professional studios around Sydney. She also worked as a B&W film and print darkroom assistant.
Susie moved from Sydney to live on an avocado farm near the Byron Bay Hinterland to raise her family. During this time she continued her education at Southern Cross University in Lismore. She successfully completed her BA in Visual Arts, majoring in art history, painting and photography.
Susie has been working as a professional photographer for over 23 years, specialising in photographing people and events.
Susie has just completed a major exhibition of portraiture, shown in Sydney, Canberra and Egypt. This work has being compiled into book form and was published by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), launched in Novemember 2011.
From 2010-2014 Susie worked on a major project shooting only B&W large format film with her Linhoff 5x4 vintage camera, all the work was hand processed by Susie and printed with master printer Chris Reid of Blanco Negro darkroom.
The work was exhibited in 2014 at Blanco Negro, Alexandria SYDNEY, the body of work is called 'Van Diemans Light' some of the work can be viewed in the exhibition section in Vimeo video format.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Southern Cross University Graduation Bachelor of Art Degree 1990.
ZEN KI YOGA - Teacher Training 2016
REPORTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASSES
With Jack Picone, Stephen Dupont and Vietnam War photographer Tim Page
Sydney 2009
Siem Reap, Cambodia 2010
Kathmandu, Nepal 2011
Yangoon, Burma 2013
TAFE, NSW
Screen and Media Certificate 4 - 2021
Screen and Madia Diploma - June 2022
Work experience
Superfine Studios, Darkroom assistant
Wattle St, Ultimo, Sydney 1980.
Allen Nye Fashion Photographer, studio assistant, Clarence St, Sydney 1980
Olgiivie and Mather Advertising Agency, studio and darkroom assistant
Miller St, Nth Sydney 1981
Peter Luxton Studios, Still Life Master photographer, studio assistant, Kent St, Sydney 1982
Grant Matthews fashion photographer, Follow Me Magazine, studio assistant 1986
Paris Fashion Week 1986 HERO magazine
Lived and worked in Paris as freelance photographers assistant 1986
Started as a freelance photographer 1994 specialising in events and portraiture
Solo Exhibitions 2008 - 2020
Disorder Gallery, East Sydney - Hand printed B&W exhibition, Tasmanian Rainforest & Landscape's 2019
Maunsell and Wickes Gallery, Paddington - Hand printed B&W exhibition, Sydney Ocean Pools 2020
'Van Diemans Light' Tasmanian Landscape and Portrait Exhibition, Blanco Negro 2014
"In The House Of The Muses" book launch, Wagner Galleries November 2011
Portraiture exhibition in collaboration with Artist Darian Zam
“In The House Of The Muses”
ABC headquarters, Harris St, Sydney, April 2009.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt Oct 2008.
Egyptian Embassy Canberra, July 2008
Egyptian Consulate Sydney, May 2008
Solo portrait exhibition Art House Gallery 2000
PNG artifact and photography exhibition, in association with Souther Cross University 1992
Group Exhibitions
Southern Cross University Graduate group show 2009
HEAD ON portrait prize 2006 (finalist)
,HEAD ON (semi finalist) 2007-2008
Cross Projections 2005 and 2006
Graduate exhibition Southern Cross University1993
Group exhibitions Southern Cross University 1990 - 1992
Publications
Woman of the World commissioned by Camilla Franks
Portraits - Sandy Gore, Liane Rossler of Dinosaur Designs, LOuise Olsen Of Dinosaur Designs, Maggie Alderson- Editor Harpers Bazaar, Lucy Turnbull, Lord Mayor of Sydney and many more..
Hetti Perkins Portrait, Art Gallery New South Wales 2010
Magazines , features and private commissions
Woman's Day feature story, portraits Dec 2010
New Idea features 2005- 2007
Adele Perry 50th Birthday, with an international guest list, hosted by the Marhrana of Udaipur 2007, this included two weeks of traveling and documenting the 50th birthday celebrations at the Maharanas Palaces in Rajasthan, Northern India.
New Idea series of four Feature Story's, 50 years in Australian Television (portraits of TV legends)
American Australian Association (AAA) website, Grandball and events 2004 (AAA in house photographer 2004)
Ten day event, Toronto International Film Festival 2004 (covered for the New York Post)
New York fashion week 2002 -2003
Radio 2UE, Sydney Olympics 2000
Vogue Australia freelance events photographer 1998- 2000
POL magazine Italian lifestyle and travel features 1999 covering the Umbria and Veneto Regions of Italy, specializing food and wine.
Woman’s Weekly Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival and Fashions on the Field 1998
HELLO Magazine feature, Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival and Fashions on the Field 1998
Mercedes International Fashion Week 1997 to 2000
Paris Fashion week Chanel and Collette Dinnigan show and after party's 1996
Harpers Bazaar freelance events photographer 1995 to 1997
Private parties including Brian Brown and Sam Neil 50th Birthday bash 1996
High profile Weddings in Sydney and overseas 1993 to 2010
David Jones in house photographer, fashion parades and events 1997 to 2000
Adele Perry two week 50th Birthday Bash in Rajasthan INDIA 2006