One of the things I like best about writing this blog is that occasionally I discover a hidden corner of our town or village that I can share with everyone, like an under-publicized event, an unusual find, or perhaps a local resident who’s doing great things for others.
But I especially like learning about small businesses which have just moved to town, so I can help spread the word. That’s why I was pleased when Sue Mongiovi emailed me about her new photography studio, Susan Elizabeth Portraits, located at 47 West Main St. in the Village of Webster.
Sue actually opened up her new studio space in January, but she’s been doing the photography thing for a long time. Her passion for photography began 20 years ago, when she was working part-time as an assistant wedding photographer while, ironically, working full-time at Kodak. But even back then she longed to open up her own studio and leave the corporate grind behind.
In 2007 she made the leap, leaving Kodak (before they downsized her) so she could focus all her attention on pursuing her passion. For a long time she worked out of her home, until she rented her first studio in 2018 in the Anderson Arts Building in Village Gate, and then later the Hungerford Building. When that didn’t pan out, she dropped the studio idea altogether for two years. But she always kept one eye focused on the real estate listings in case the perfect property became available.
The last thing she expected was to find that perfect space in her very own village, around the corner from her Webster home.
The new two-room studio is located on the bottom floor of a small house on West Main Street. “I’ve never had anything like this before,” Sue said, “and it never dawned on me to look in my own town. I’m such a city girl. I live here, but I’ve always thought of an artist being in the city in some run-down building.”
The space is perfect for what Susan Elizabeth Portraits has become especially known for: a dress-up photo studio. There’s a small hallway for a gallery; a side room filled with fancy dresses, shoes, jewelry, tiaras, hats, and some fairy wings; and the studio space itself where Sue makes the portraits.
Girls come in with their moms (or sometimes it’s teenage friends, or even a Girl Scout troop), and explore the dress-up room, choosing whatever outfits and bling they’d like. They’re encouraged to examine all the props in the room, find their favorites, get creative and make their own magic.
“I feel like this is their place, to let them be who they want to be,” she said. “I love watching them transform, so they suddenly feel more confident, more proud of themselves.”
Even the process of selecting the outfits is part of the experience, so Sue will make a short video to help them remember it. Once everyone is primped and proper, they move into the studio for photos. Whether her clients ultimately decide to purchase the completed portraits doesn’t seem as important to Sue as being able to provide the experience.
“I don’t want them to just come over here for us to take pictures,” she said. “I want them to have that feeling of togetherness. Two people coming in or friends coming in, having fun in here, playing dress-up. … Whether or not they buy anything, it’s more like I just want them to have this place to go, to have this fun experience.” The finished products are kind of like a bonus.
Dress-up photography is just a small part of the services Susan Elizabeth Portraits offers, which also include family and couples’ portraits, senior portraits, special event photography and more. For more information, check out her website here, Facebook page here, and find her on Instagram and Pinterest.
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(posted 9/10/2026)
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