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, she 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 highland tribes.
In the mid 1970’s during proceedings of independence in PNG, her 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 16 years, specialising in photographing people and events.
After living and working in New York for some years, she is now back in Australia and has just completed a major exhibition of portraiture, shown in Sydney, Canberra and Egypt. This work is in the process of being compiled into book form and will be published by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), to be launched in 2011.
Curriculum Vitae
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
Lived and worked in Paris as freelance photographers assistant 1986
Southern Cross University Graduation Bachelor of Art Degree 1990.
Solo Exhibitions 2008 - 2009
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
Magazines , features and private commissions
Woman's Day feature story, portraits Dec 2010
New Idea features 2005- 2007
Adele Perry 50th Birthday, with 30 guests from around the world, hosted by the Marhrana of Udaipur.
Two weeks of traveling and documenting the 50th birthday celebrations at the Maharanas Palaces of Rajasthan in Northern India -
New Idea a series of four Feature Story's, 50 years in Australian Television (portraits of TV legends)
Ten day event, Toronto International Film Festival 2004-covered for the New York Post
New York Fashion Week 2003 and 2004
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
Harpers Bazaar freelance events photographer 1995 to 1997
Brian Brown and Sam Neil 50th Birthday bash, Private party 1996
High profile Weddings in Sydney and overseas 1993 to 2010
David Jones in house photographer for all fashion parades and events 1997 to 2000