Photographer Suzanne Saroff is redefining how we see the everyday. Known for her evocative series Perspective, Saroff plays with the interaction of light, shadow, and refractive surfaces to transform ordinary objects like food into fragmented, otherworldly compositions. Her work resonates with a digital-age aesthetic while maintaining an analog charm, creating visual experiences that are as thought-provoking as they are beautiful.

Based in New York but with roots in Missoula, Montana, Saroff’s creative journey bridges the natural tranquility of her upbringing with the dynamic energy of urban life. This balance is a hallmark of her artistry, offering a unique blend of meditative calm and kinetic experimentation.

The Art of Fragmentation

In Perspective, Saroff employs water-filled vessels and glass objects to manipulate familiar subjects into abstract forms, turning everyday items into “alternate visual avenues of expression.” As she explains, “With tools and techniques such as refraction, directional light, and bold colors, my photographs give everyday items alternate visual avenues of expression.”

Her compositions evoke the surreal, appearing almost like digital glitches, yet they are grounded in analog processes. This deliberate play on perception challenges viewers to reconsider their relationship with the mundane and to embrace the unexpected beauty of distortion.

Bubblegum: A Study in Ephemerality

Saroff’s latest body of work turns its focus on bubblegum, a subject as playful as it is visceral. Zooming in on chewed wads of gum in vibrant pinks, blues, and greens, Saroff’s images transform the material into sculptures that toe the line between beauty and repulsion.

The inspiration struck spontaneously when Saroff spotted a pack of gum in her studio. Her process evolved from instinctive experimentation to a full-fledged series, capturing the gum in its fleeting moments of inflation and deflation. These pieces, reminiscent of the human body in their texture and form, conjure childhood memories while exploring themes of temporality and transformation.

For me, it’s about capturing something mischievous and visceral

- Saroff says, drawing parallels between this series and her earlier work with milk bubbles.

Both explore fleeting moments, preserved just before they disappear.

Saroff says, drawing parallels between this series and her earlier work with milk bubbles.

A Journey Fueled by Curiosity

Saroff’s career as a photographer blossomed from a lifelong fascination with visual storytelling. Growing up surrounded by Montana’s rugged beauty, she found herself drawn to the interplay of natural elements, a fascination that carried into her adulthood.

Her creative evolution took a pivotal turn after moving to New York City. Working as a photo art director at a branding agency, Saroff gained insights into the commercial photography industry, eventually transitioning to freelance work. Her breakthrough moment came with a Smirnoff campaign, which solidified her confidence in her artistic voice.

Recognition and Aspiration

Now a member of the prestigious Young Guns 21 cohort, Saroff reflects on how this recognition has invigorated her creative spirit.

Winning was a surreal moment, it’s given me a fresh feeling of confidence and motivation to push my work to new levels

 - she recalls.

– she recalls.

Looking ahead, Saroff dreams of exhibiting solo at MoMA or The Whitney and collaborating with iconic fashion houses like Prada and Gucci. She envisions a future where her work continues to evolve, bridging the worlds of art and commerce while staying true to her personal vision.

From the refractions of Perspective to the tactile intimacy of her bubblegum series, Saroff’s work invites us to see the world anew. Her images challenge perceptions, celebrate impermanence, and remind us of the beauty in the fleeting and the fractured.

Through her lens, Saroff doesn’t just capture moments—she redefines them, offering a perspective that lingers long after the image fades.

 

From the refractions of Perspective to the tactile intimacy of her bubblegum series, Saroff’s work invites us to see the world anew. Her images challenge perceptions, celebrate impermanence, and remind us of the beauty in the fleeting and the fractured.

Through her lens, Saroff doesn’t just capture moments—she redefines them, offering a perspective that lingers long after the image fades.