YVONNE SUTER
Illuminating Your Path Forward
My Journey So Far...
My journey so far has been one of learning, healing, and discovery—guided by curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection with the living world. The photos below are not meant to capture defining moments, but rather glimpses of who I was becoming along the way. Each image reflects something that has always been part of me—qualities, interests, and ways of seeing that continued to unfold over time. I share these moments simply as pieces of a life in progress, and as a way of offering a more personal window into the path that has led me to where I am today.
EARLY YEARS
My mother loved to laugh. And she also loved to take me to photo booths when I was a toddler. She would dress up for the occasion and dress me up as well…and we would laugh together as we primped and posed for the camera. I have a collection of wonderful photos from these outings and I’m grateful that my mom documented this time of my life in this manner along with the laughter we shared together. As it turns out, I love to laugh too! I laugh often and I believe it to be a very healing and crucial expression.
My dad told me stories all the time, animating his tales with my collection of beloved stuffed animals. The bunny in this pic was a favorite character in his stories, and because of this, Bunny was very tattered and worn. His ears, nose, and neck eventually withered away from all the story action, and that's when my ability for creative solutions was discovered and I brought new life to Bunny by means of crafting replacements for his worn parts. Let the stories continue!
My love for animals began early, in a home filled with a growing menagerie of animal friends (which I had asked for!), including cats, hamsters, rabbits, a cockatiel, pigeons, doves and other birds, tropical fish, a guinea pig, chickens, a duck, and even a tortoise and a gopher snake (plus more)! Caring for such a wide range of pets taught me compassion and responsibility, and neighbors often brought stray animals to me, knowing they would be safe, loved, and amongst friends!
From age 12 to 19, I was on my skateboard every day, zooming down steep streets in my neighborhood, doing street tricks up and down the cull de sac I lived on, riding wood ramps set up on my driveway, and later riding at the skate-park in my city, where I eventually got a job for the summer following my high school graduation. I loved the speed and thrill of downhill rides, the challenge of learning new tricks, and the creativity of seeing the surrounding suburban landscape through the eyes of, “is that skateable?!
I was quite physical in my younger years, before chronic illness set in. I enjoyed doing projects and my dad used this to his benefit by making lists of projects that I could do to earn my allowance. I was about 14 or 15 in this pic where I'm adding new rock to the roof that I just re-tarred. I loved taking on new challenges, learning new skills and earning my allowance this way. I'm certain this paved the way to my interest in entrepreneurship!
I've been passionate about music since my late teens. I enjoyed seeking out and listening to all kinds of music (especially unique styles), and music became a safe place for me to experience my feelings during some of the more challenging periods of my life. I also create music and having this avenue for expression has been so helpful and healing as music allowed me to process emotions and reconnect with myself when health issues began to emerge and life grew more complicated and uncertain. Music is instrumental in my life to this day!
20's AND 30's
Me, mom, and dad. We were a small family, who loved to laugh! My parents immigrated from Switzerland to USA and I was born in Hollywood. We lived in Los Angeles during my early childhood and then moved to Orange County when I was about nine (with a one year stay in Ohio tucked in there too!). My mother kept Swiss traditions alive in our household, which was fun, and my parents often spoke Schwiizerdütsch, so I did learn the language somewhat…although I’ve forgotten much at this point. I’d love to find a Swiss buddy to practice with!
Coming soon!
Coming soon!