About

Terry Scussel is a California based photographer. His principal focus is travel photography and social justice photojournalism. His images are both in color and black & white.

Terry is a Pro-Bono Photography Affiliate with www.Pro-BonoPhoto.org. Pro-Bono Photography is a clearinghouse that matches worthy organizations that need photo/videographic services to volunteer photographers and videographers who wish to donate their time and expertise. Our typical client is a nonprofit organization with a mission of community service, progressive political action, or environmental advocacy.

Photography to me is a passion, an art form and most importantly a tool as it can be used to spread the message of social justice movements, beauty and the reality of the world around us.  My commercial focus has been travel, urban and night photography however my real love is photojournalism recording social justice movements and creative arts events. The ability to capture the passion of the movement and to share the images with a broad audience spreading the messaging is extremely valuable.

I have been a photographer my entire life, which was started when my dad gave me his 1948 Leica camera that he had bought the year of my birth. The Leica is now safely stored away, I have moved through many film cameras and now shoot exclusively with Canon digital SLR cameras. As an avid photography book collector, I study the work of the masters and do field work with professionals and amateurs alike to hone my craft and share experiences. Being a good photographer requires curiosity, patience, passion, desire to improve and then the basics of understanding composition, lighting, camera settings, techniques, post-processing software knowledge.

In 2003 with the Iraq War and then in 2005 with the Katrina Hurricane I was compelled to change my focus to pursue my photographic aspirations and by giving back to the community. In 2005-06 while on a lengthy severance I put all my energy into improving my photography talents and using my business management skills to help non-profit organizations sustain their missions. I ultimately transitioned out of the for-profit world to non-profit consulting, board work and photography. As a parent of a daughter with disabilities I am a serious advocate for people with disabilities and their right to inclusion, mobility, healthcare and equality.

I truly enjoy capturing an image and the story behind the photo. Dorothea Lange quoted: “the camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera” – this is a quote to live by.

I’m originally from Chicago, grew up and was educated in Florida and now after many relocations Mill Valley has been our home for the last 35 years.


Terry Scussel Photography
Mill Valley, California
415-497-0491

[email protected]
www.scusselphotography.com

www.probonophoto.org