aspen colorado photographer and documentary filmmaker
Tamara Šuša | Photographer & Filmmaker
Tamara Šuša is an Aspen-based photographer and documentary filmmaker whose work explores the evolving relationship between humans and nature in the age of climate crisis. With a background in photojournalism and a deep connection to wilderness, she uses her camera to bear witness to both the beauty and vulnerability of our changing planet.
Born and raised in former Yugoslavia, Tamara grew up during a time of great political upheaval. Her childhood—marked by shifting borders, war, and instability—instilled in her a lifelong connection to place and a reverence for land that transcends nationalism. As a ten-year-old, she watched bombs fall on her hometown. Decades later, now living in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, she is witnessing a different kind of destruction—this one driven by anthropogenic climate change.
Tamara holds a Master’s degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography from the University of the Arts London. Her films have been screened at international mountain film festivals including BANFF and 5Point, while her photography has appeared in publications such as Outside, Freeskier, Backcountry, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. She was voted Best Aspen/Snowmass Photographer in The Aspen Times 2023 “Best Of” awards.
Her work spans from the Arctic to Antarctica, often created in collaboration with scientific and environmental organizations such as the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Through her images—whether captured aboard an expedition ship in Svalbard or deep in the Colorado backcountry—she documents not just the landscapes, but their fragility. Inspired by the legacy of early American landscape photographers, she seeks to continue the tradition of visual environmental stewardship.
Rather than focusing solely on destruction, Tamara’s work highlights landscapes vulnerable to environmental change—creating a haunting record of what we are at risk of losing. Her images invite viewers to engage emotionally with the natural world, evoking a sense of soliphilia: the love of place and interconnection with all living things. Since the birth of her niece in 2019, this mission has become even more personal—motivated by a desire to leave behind a world where winter still exists.
EDUCATION
MA - University of The Arts London, London, UK
Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
BA - Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
Communications & Media, Spanish Language
Part 107 Licensed Drone Pilot
My native language is Serbian, and I am fluent in English, Spanish and Croatian.
I am a Level 2 Certified AASI Snowboard instructor, as well as Freestyle Specialist 1. I have taught snowboarding at Aspen/Snowmass and The Kingdom of Lesotho.
My goal is to snowboard on every continent. 6/7 checked off the list!
Voted Best Local Photographer in 2023!
EXHIBITIONS
May 2025-May 2027 - Aspen City Hall Featured Artist
June 2024-August 2024 - “A Farewell To Ice” Aspen, Colorado
December 2022-February 2023 - “Disturbance” Aspen, Colorado
November 2021 - “Common Grounds” London, UK
September 2021 - “Climate Emergency Network: Material Heroes” London, UK
December 2020 – “Disturbance” Aspen, Colorado
May 2020 – “Kennen Sie Serbien?” Regensburg, Germany
September 2019 – “To Behold” Aspen, Colorado
June 2019 – “U Pokretu” Belgrade, Serbia
COMMERCIAL CLIENTS
Aspen/Snowmass, Snowmass Tourism, Colorado Tourism, Ski Portillo Chile, ESPN, Aspen Chamber, Ice Axe Expeditions, Surf Synergy Costa Rica, Belly Up Aspen,Tu Chetumal, Strafe Outerwear, Shredly, Flaxta, Rossignol, United Airlines, Outside TV, React Presents, North Coast Music Festival, Summerset Music Festival, Spring Awakening Music Festival, The Buddy Program, Aspen Art Museum, Dom Perignon, Veuve Cliquot, Folsom Skis, Thrive Snowboards, Anon
awards
2025-2027 - “2 Legs Is 2 Easy” BANFF Film Festival World Tour
2025 Tokyo Foto Awards - Silver in Fine Art/Landscape
2025 Barcelona Indie Film Awards - “80 For 80” Nominee
2024 Paris Photo Prize - Silver in Fine Art/Landscape
2024 NEPSA Film Awards - “2 Legs Is 2 Easy”, Winner
2023 Best of Aspen/Snowmass - Best Local Photographer
2023 Paris Photo Prize - Bronze in Fine Art/Landscape Category
2023 NEPSA Photo Awards - Most Scenic Photo, 1st place
2023 NEPSA Film Awards - “Drunk History”, 3rd place
2022 NEPSA Photo Awards - Best Action Shot, 1st place
2022 NEPSA Film Awards - “The Braid Hole”, 2nd place
2019 People’s Choice Art Show - Best in Show
2019 ROAM Awards - Finalist
2019 NEPSA Photo Awards - Most Scenic Photo, 1st place
2017 Roaring Fork Conservancy Photo Contest - Winner
RESIDENCIES & Grants
2024 Anderson Ranch Art Center, The Photobook Workshop
2023 The Arctic Circle Art and Science Residency
2023 FEMA Art for Climate Resiliency Grant Recipient
Publications
Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Backcountry Magazine, Freeskier Magazine, Outside Magazine, Powder Magazine, Ski Magazine, Business Insider, Ascent Magazine, The Grom Guide,
Travel + Leisure Magazine, Thrillist, Aspen Peak, Aspen Magazine, Mountain Living,
Texas Lifestyle Magazine, The Gazette, The Bend
Tamara Susa is an Aspen Colorado photographer and filmmaker whose passion for adventure and the outdoors drives her creative vision. Specializing in landscape photography and documentary filmmaking, Tamara's work captures both the quiet beauty of nature and the intensity of extreme sports. With a focus on environmental storytelling, she blends art with adventure, creating visual narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.