LYNNFIELD — Local travel photographer Sue Collins has been named as the Lynnfield Art Guild’s featured artist for six weeks, beginning on Jan. 15 on LAG’s website at lynnfieldarts.org.

Residents can see Collins’ photographs under members’ art at the LAG website during this time at lynnfieldarts.org/sue-collins.

Thereafter her photographs will still be visible on the LAG website under “featured artists.”

“Sue’s work is driven by a profound passion for exploration and adventure,” said LAG spokeswoman Beth Aaronson. “Roaming the globe, camera in hand, she captures the beauty and diversity of our world from bustling city streets to serene natural landscapes.”

Collins shoots with a Nikon Z50 with lenses up to 500 mm. She said that she is grateful for the encouragement and guidance from the community within the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester. She said instructor Eddie Soloway has “helped me learn the fundamentals of composition, lighting and the art of storytelling through imagery.” Collins strongly believes that “engagement with local art initiatives such as the Lynnfield Art Guild is crucial for any artist aspiring to cultivate their craft.”

Inspired by the paintings of Impressionists including Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, Collins is embarking on a trip to Monet’s home in Giverny and Van Gogh’s home in Arles, France this spring.

Inspired by the paintings of Impressionists including Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, Collins is embarking on a trip to Monet’s home in Giverny and Van Gogh’s home in Arles, France this spring. “I have always cherished travel, a constant in my life since my college days when I first ventured into the world with friends,” said Collins. “Working as a travel agent in Iowa further broadened my horizons, reinforcing my belief in the beauty that the world has to offer and culminating in the establishment of a women’s travel group ten years ago which has flourished and fostered connections among others with a passion for travel who otherwise may not have travel companions.”

“Each click of the shutter captures not just an image, but a story of connection, discovery and beauty,” said Collins. “It is the thrill of not knowing what I’ll encounter next, the rush of adrenaline when I finally capture that perfect shot. These experiences shape me as a photographer and as a person, pushing me to evolve and grow in my craft constantly. And in the end, it’s not just about the photographs themselves, but the memories and emotions they evoke, forever frozen in time.”

Collins’ work is available for sale; she may be contacted at suecollinsphotography@gmail.com.

Jeanne Rose Award for Excellence, The Lynnfield Art Guild established the Jeanne Rose Award for Excellence in 2025.Jeanne Rose passed away in 2024. Her son, Steven, contacted us shortly after her passing to let us know that she was one of the very early members of the Guild. He explained that while she had not participated in many years, she always felt fondly of the Guild.

When we began to receive donations in her memory, we knew we needed to honor her love of art and the Guild in some significant way. The Board decided to create the “Jeanne Rose Award for Excellence.” This is a special monetary award to highlight an exceptional LAG artist regardless of medium. Jeanne just passed in November 2024 and Sue Collins is the first LAG artist to receive this award in May 2025. A very special honor, indeed. Our first awardee is Sue Collins for her photograph, Magical Glow Aurora Borealis, Lapland, Finland.“The Guild is proud to showcase Sue Collins’ work and invites the public to check out its website lynnfieldarts.org,” said Aaronson. “Visit the Guild’s Facebook and Instagram pages at Lynnfieldarts to learn more about the premier arts organization in Lynnfield.”