Lifetime Lens

01/26/2025

This cartoon really hit home for me. I've got thousands of photos of our family. They're a record of my daughter's childhood and all the people who love her—except me.
Is this the dynamic in your family, too? Moms are often the family keepers of memories. But we need to be in the photos too. Our kids deserve those memories of us smiling at them, scooping them up for a kiss, catching them at the end of the slide. And we deserve a record of the love on their faces as they look at us—proof that all we do for them really does matter.
If the other adults in your kids' lives are reluctant or less than stellar photographers, maybe it's time to call in a pro. At Lifetime Lens, I capture real life, in all its poignant and often funny beauty. Check out lifetimelens.com and book now to get first pick of Spring dates!

A cartoon by Diane de Ferran.

See all the cartoons from this week’s issue: https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/QWQrbU

12/23/2021

12/15/2021

Legacy videos celebrate the lives of seniors and preserve your family history. Then your kids, and their kids, can know and love the same people and stories you do.

This is part 2 of my dad's story; at the end of part 1, he talks about the way his childhood was shaped by his parents' divorce and his mom's mental illness.

“It was a condition of life that we became very independent, but not, I would say, a tragedy.” - Nye Stevens

What would your story be? To learn more and see part 1 of the story, visit https://www.lifetimelens.com/legacy-videos

https://vimeo.com/651666658

This is "Nye Stevens Childhood Part II" by Susannah Stevens on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

12/12/2021

Last weekend I was lucky enough to photograph this beautiful family decorating for Christmas. There's still time to capture some holiday memories! If you have family coming to town, cookies to bake, or any other festive traditions you'd like to remember, drop me a line!

11/26/2021

One of the best things about family is watching the love between our favorite people. This was a special moment for me, because I have fond memories of my mom's patient instruction when I was a child.

You can't freeze time. But beautiful photographs that capture the essence and emotion are close.

There are still slots available for Saturday. Contact me to document this holiday weekend and preserve those memories forever.

11/23/2021

Time changes everything, and you only have one chance to capture this holiday gathering with your family. Don't miss it.

This is my dad attempting to teach Stella how to play chess. The moment didn't last long. It's a good thing I have these pictures, now the memory will last a lifetime.

There are still slots available for Friday or Saturday. Contact me to document this holiday weekend and preserve those memories forever.

10/29/2021

Send greetings from your real family, not the one with the fake smiles.

🎁 This holiday season, Lifetime Lens will gift you 25 greeting cards with the purchase of one of our amazing storytelling albums. 🎁

Visit https://www.lifetimelens.com/ for more info, and let's brainstorm ideas for a beautiful photo story!

06/20/2021

Today, in honor of Father's Day, I invite you to watch a tribute to my dad, L. Nye Stevens II. This is the first installment (only 3 minutes) of a legacy video about his life, and it focuses on his early childhood. The video is based on interviews with him, along with some fun archival materials. My dad has faced a lot of adversity in his life, and as you'll see, he's responded with grace and good humor.

This project has been a labor of love, and it's a service I look forward to offering to other families as well. Before officially launching, I'll be making another sample video. If you are interested in being featured in my sample in exchange for a substantial discount, drop me a line.

06/09/2021

When I was seven, the cicadas hit DC in biblical fashion. At least in my memory, they were even more prolific than this summer. I went cicada-crazy, building houses for them and making jewelry from the carcasses. One day, my best friend and I covered our shirts with the live bugs and rang her doorbell. The nanny opened the door and nearly fainted with fright. It was glorious. Sadly, there are no family photographs of me with the bugs.

As it turns out, some DC kids today are just as cicada-crazy as I was. I went with seven year old Coco and her parents to the woods near McLean Gardens to find some. Who knew that cicadas could be beautiful? If you know how to look, there are flashes of beauty in your real life all the time. Let me know if you need help finding them!

Find out more at lifetimelens.com.

04/06/2021

At this time of year, the setting sun slices straight through my parents' backyard and makes magic. When does the magic happen at your place?