Name:
Susannah Ludwig
How your clients refer to you:
Susannah
Company:
Portraits That Move – we produce min-documentary films of children, using beautiful images and their own words
Contact info:
Website: www.portraitsthatmove.com, Email: suzlud@gmail.com, Ph. (917) 750-0031
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
Four.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
I had a middle-of-the-night epiphany: I am the kind of mom who kids confide in and I could offer parents my filmmaking skills, honed on dozens of movies and commercials. And more: I could create space for their kids to open up and talk about life, then use my talent to create an exquisite 2-5-minute portrait film for parents and grandparents to treasure.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
Our films are artful, created by experienced, award-winning professional filmmakers. And we truly love our clients. You feel that love in every film that we create. We freeze time for clients - and as a mom, I know so well that every moment, every gem my child says, is fleeting.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Simply put: no one else does what we do - magical, mini-documentary films of children, made to professional standards. This isn’t a one-off, thank-you-ma’am project; we nurture close relationships with our clients, and many return year after year to chronicle their children growing up.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
I grew up with congenital health problems, so every day is a miracle for me. Every day. My key word, for me and my clients, is JOY. That’s why I lavish attention on families who work with Portraits that Move. When we work with a family, we act as a mirror to reflect back to them all the beauty we see in them. From feedback, we know they enjoy watching and sharing their films with family and friends, at special events, bar mitzvahs, or just Sunday afternoons.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Not only do I get to spend my days listening to dynamic, creative, soulful, energetic children, but I get to tease out the amazing lessons they are just waiting to teach all of us.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
The filmmaker in me, and the mom, loves the Highline.
How do you benefit mamas?
We give moms the gift of time. In an era of selfies and homemade iPhone films, we capture this moment in time with perspective and care that gives them new appreciation for their children’s curiosity and wisdom.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
One dad, who travels a great deal for business, is a repeat client. He says when he’s away, he watches his Portraits that Move videos every day and feels close to his kids.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
I also run Snapdragon Films, which produces documentaries for companies, nonprofit groups, and schools. I’m inspired daily by my business partner, the director, Rebecca Dreyfus.
There are many people doing incredible photography of kids. One of my favorites is a woman named Raquel Frechette
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
I was born with an illness that gave me the gift of being aware of how short life is and how fast time goes by, and my father is a pediatrician, so I’m doubly aware. My mantra is, “Be here now and be grateful for the moments we get to have every day.” To me, every day we wake up is a day worth celebrating and documenting. That’s what I do for moms, dads, and grandparents.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
I am a fan of the slow cooker. I make dinner and work at the same time. I love that!