Susan earned her Associate of Arts degree in 1983 from Miami Community College, in Miami, Florida. The same year saw her opening her first photography studio and lab in Jeddah, equipped with state-of-the-art digital machines. Soon the word was out that her abilities with the camera lens were extraordinary. The rest is history. Susan is proud to share her expertise by teaching, conducting private lessons for ladies and children in all areas of photography.
International & Local exhibitions. . .
For 25 years, more than 150 exhibitions, galleries, symposiums and conferences around the planet have displayed Susan’s photographic art. She has been honored numerous times during these worldwide showings. Diverse locations range from Florida, Andorra, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, China, Denmark and Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt Luxe4mbourg, Oman, Italy, England, Egypt, Lebanon, Dubai, Kuwait, Tunisia, Germany, Jordan and Turkey.
Organization and Group Membership/Affiliations
Islamic Writers Alliance SPA- Saudi Photography Association PSA - Photographic Society of America IFPO- International Freelance Photographers Organization FIAP- Federation Internationale del’ Art Photograpique ANAF - Association National Art Photography SPH - Saudi Organization of Arts and Culture PMA – Photographer Master of America
Published Work
A Career of Distinction
Garnering more 30 awards since 1985, Susan’s image have received much international acclaim, ranging from United Nationas Competitions to accolades from worldwide exhibitions. Moreover, her works have been sold at numerous auctions, for both charity and commercial purposes. Susan’s photograph, spanning a career of over 25 year, are consigned by galleries, business people, and art collectors from all walks of life. Some venues carrying her pieces are The Cubic Gallery in Canada and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England. During the 1st Collective Photographer’s Exhibition in Jeddah, Susan’s photograph, priced at 1,000 Saudi riyals, was purchased by an art collector for 7,000 Saudi Riyals.
During a 2005 humanitarian/art auction sponsored by Nokia at Christie’s London, Susan’s photographs were auctioned off for the benefit of orphans.
2006 marked the first year a female photographer was allowed to board a Saudi Army helicopter and make aerial photos of the Hajj.
Susan was the only aerial photographer to document the tragic Hajj stampede of 2006 in Makkah.
Russian television filmed a documentary about Susan Baaghil in the year 2006, as an example of a professional Saudi businesswoman/artist and recipient of numerous awards.
Susan Baaghil was invited in 2005-07 by the Governor of Farasan Region, Saudi Arabia to photograph Farasan Island during a well-known sports fishing competition, ending up being the only female on the island!
Susan documented the “Camel Beauty Pageant” in 2006, sponsored by Prince Mishal Bin Abdul Aziz in the Empty Quarter (“Rub Al Khali’’) of Saudi Arabia. She was the only woman invited to the event, the photos of which were eventually exhibited in Riyadh, Dhahran and Jeddah.
In the national Saudi video “What You Can Give to Your Country,” Susan was highlighted as the first Saudi woman photographer along with several other Saudi celebrities and people of note.
“Applebee’s” an American restaurant chain, has display of Susan’s photographs in all their branches of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
”Telesaurus”, a Belgian media company, documented Susan’s achievements for Belgian National Television as a professional Muslim woman in their stunning documentary, “The Road to Makkah” in 2007.
The Italian professional group “ANAF” (National Association of Art Photography), organized an exhibition for Susan’s works three times and three is a special page on their website for the photos.
In 2007m national Italian television, TG- 1 interviewed Susan.
In 2008 in a piece on BBC World’s “Women in Business” the daily activities of Susan Baaghil were highlighted by reporter Malcolm Borthwick in Jeddah.
The Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, during a pompous ceremony in 2007, bestowed the title of “CAVALIERI” with an accompanying medal upon Susan in honor of her striving for increased relations between Italy and Saudi Arab, using her photography skills and art. This honor marked the first time a foreigner was chosen by the Italian government to receive such a title.
Susan was the first Saudi woman to photograph the 19th Arab Summit in Riyadh, 2007 at King Abdul Aziz’s Palace. Susan Baaghil was also invited to the Royal Dinner in honor of the attendees of all Muslim nations.
Susan was one of the judges in the “First Photography Comptition” of the Western region in Saudi Arabia in 2007.
Susan is a representative photographer of Thmoson Reuters, the global news and information service in Saudi Arabia.
Susan was the only lady photographer who took picture in the 3rd OPEC Summit In Riyadh. – Nov. 2007.
Susan was with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, on his visit to Italy and the Vatican, she was one of the delegates of Saudi Arabian Society to represent Saudi professional pioneer women as a life example.- Nov. 2007
Susan is a representative of Reuter to take picture in Jeddah Economic Forum. Fdeb.2008.
Susan was invited & received a plaque from the center of King Abdul Aziz for participating at Saudi National Dialogue in Riyadh for ideological organization. – Feb. 2008
Susan was assigned by Reuter to take picture in Dubai during the Dubai Tennis Championship and her picture was selected as “Best Photo of the Day.”- March 2008.
Susan was the main photographer of the “Dialogue Conference” in Makkah.-June 2008.
Susan covered the photography in the Energy Summit in Jeddah, June 2008.
Susan had a royal invitation as a professional photographer to take photo in the World Interfaith Dialogue Conference in Madrid, hosted by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and King Carlos of Spain. – July 2008.
Susan is a board member of the first established Saudi Photography Association (SPA).
Awards
Kodak Photo Competition Award, 1985
. “Most Beautiful Photo” Competition, portrait category for the Arab world 1992.
Participated in “Jeddah the Beautiful” Competition, Winning 2 distinguished awards, 1993.
Susan earned 2nd Place in the United Nation’s Photo Competition, earning the UND plaque, certificate, Medal of Honor and cash prize from the late H.R.H. Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Abdul-Aziz, 1993.
Susan’s photo won for the “Sense of Humanity” category n Swiss Competition, 1994.
Won the Prince Fahd Bin Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz Environmental Protection award, 1995.
Awarded a certificate from the Art & Culture Institute, Saudi Arabia, for answering the late King Fahd’s call for humanitarian service during the Bosnian War, the Exhibition benefiting those affected by the conflict, 1995.
Won an award in Scandinavia for Humanitarian Photography, 1996.
Susan earned the Abha Award for Culture & Art from H.R.H. Khalid Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, the Prince of Asir, 1997.
Award of Excellence from the Municipality of Jeddah Competition fro Professional Photography. Susan’s son Malik Muhammad Baarmah also won in the same category, 1997.
Awarded cash prize with a vacation package with her family, sponsored by Al-Rashid Center in Dhahram, Saudi Arabia. Her children Juhaina & Sari participated with son Malik winning, 1997.
Earned participation Certificate from the Omani Painting and Culture Society, 1998.
Exhibiton in Switzerland for the 50th anniversary of federation of International Art & Photography (FIAP), 1999.
Honored by the Kodak Company, for winning the FIAP award in Switzerland, 1999.
Accolades from Japanese International Photographic Federation, Kyoto, Japamn, under the auspices of FIAP. 2000-2001.
Award from 21st Color Print Biennale in Luxembourg with the picture “Dream of Mom”2004.
3 of Susan’s photos won the International Digital Photographic Competition in Italy (ANAF “Association National Art Photography’’), 2005.
Earned Certificate of Recognition & cash prize winning in Jeddah’s 1st Medical Symposium, for “The Meaning of Motherhood”, 2006.
Susan received a plaque from the Saudi Embassy and letter of thanks from His Highness Turki Al Faisal and wife Her Highness Princess Nouf for her enthusiastic participation in “Saudi Days” in Manchester, England. Highlights included Susan’s Islamic Exhibition and her original Bedouin-themed photography. July 2005.
Received a certificate of thanks & appreciation from the Saudi Ministry of Defense for Susan’s participation the National Festival of Heritage & Culture in Al-Janadriyah, Riyadh. 2005.
Honored for the photographic endeavours during the Hajj season with a Certificate from the Saudi Arabian Culture & Information Minister, Iyad Madani, 2005.
Susan’s photograph won in the 28th FIAp Monochrome Biennale in Beijing China. 2006, with the theme of the event being “Portraits”.
Susan’s photo entitled “Little Wonder” won in the 27th B/W Biennale in Budapest, Hungary. 2006.
Susan was awarded from Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Al Faisal a plaque fro winning internationally during the cultural festival (The Kingdom in Our Heart), 2006.
Honored with a Certificate by International Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia for her participation in the photography exhibition in Germany during the 2006 Olympics.
Honored with Certificate by the Saudi Arabia Culture & Information Minister, 2006 for her exhibition “Childhood in Egypt” for Saudi Cultural Week.
Susan Baaghil was recognized with an award in 2007 by the Minister of Culture and Information Mr. Iyad Madani for her achievements on the international stage.
An active member of several professional photographic organizations, Susan envisions photography as a healing tool between divergent cultures and ideologies. – May 26, 2007.
Applebee’s Restaurant display Susan’s photos in all their branches throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Susan Baaghil won in international photo competition entitled “Human Rigth” 2007 sponsored by ACAF in Catania, Italy. – Nov. 2007.
Certificate of Appreciation from H>H Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Chairman Dubai Tennis Championships 2008.
Susan Baaghil won in the professional category in the photo competition “We are ALL Responsible”, her daughter Janna also won 1st prize in the youth category at Royal Art Exhibition in Dar Al-Hekma College, opened by H.R.H. Prince Khalid Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, governor of Makkah region. June 2, 2008.
