Last summer I was incredibly flattered to be asked by Vancity to capture a series of nature images from the lower mainland, for them to print and post on their stairwells to encourage people to take the stairs. Amazing idea, for them and for me! I loved it because I spent three years working at Vancity and left only to pursue my photography career full time.

The project expanded to include interior walls of various sizes they wanted covered to give employees a dose of nature. I really couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling commissioned project. Nature photography for a purpose! I went hiking all summer in areas that Vancity has branches (mostly), and captured many gorgeous images that are now on the walls at the Vancity Head Office on Terminal. Two of the images are 30′ long!

When I walked around to see the finished product, it was breathtaking. Truly a gallery of my work. Everything is larger than life and so beautifully displayed. I feel like it adds such a personal touch to the project, knowing that people I know will be seeing these art prints and knowing that they were specifically taken by me for them. I love Vancity for not going with generic stock photography, but hiring an ex-employee to capture images specifically for them. The murals were beautifully printed and installed by Ampco Graphics.

I wanted to write a press release about all this but eventually realized I’m not a writer. I’m hugely grateful to Lesley Diana and The Promotion People for writing a fantastic article about the project and the trend of installing nature prints in businesses and public spaces, which I now know has the name biophilia.

I am now inspired to install my favourite forest print on my wall at home ❤️This is the one. It is the background screen on my computer, and is from one of my favourite forests on the Sunshine Coast. I also have this picture listed on Society6 where people can purchase things with it (okay, maybe I’m the main person interested in having a forest shower curtain…)

You will see several samples of images from the finished product in the corporate portfolio section of my website.

Some clips from the article.

Vancouver photographer Suzanne Rushton is bringing the breathtaking beauty of the outdoors, indoors, through her photography prints. As businesses move towards a cost-effective solution to “green their offices” by installing large format nature photographs on their walls, Suzanne’s work offers the perfect pieces to adorn said walls. The trend, called biophilia, suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. Biophilia, also called BET, is the direction that Suzanne is encouraging clients in Canada and worldwide to venture towards.

Vancity Credit Union commissioned Suzanne for a pilot project to bring nature indoors at their Vancity Centre location in Vancouver. The project included adding nature photos on the risers of their stairwells to encourage employees to get exercise by taking the stairs rather than the elevator. From there, Suzanne was asked to create several local nature feature walls as well. The final installation was well received by staff.

As employers continue to become more aware of the scientific research, the mental and physical benefits to their workforce, and the growth of their bottom line due to sustainability and increased performance, the more important biophilia will become in today’s world. “I think they are amazing and bring calmness and beauty into our space,” says Vancity’s Wendy Worrall about the art.

A number of published articles are linking nature images to happier, more productive employees, helping to create workplace satisfaction. Biophilic design can reduce stress, enhance creativity and clarity of thought, improve our well-being and expedite healing; as the world’s population continues to urbanize, these qualities are ever more important.

It is her love of nature that has inspired Suzanne to take thousands of photographs and images on her hikes in British Columbia and around the world. Some of Suzanne’s recent travel photos have been selected by the Curacao Tourism Board for their new website. Suzanne provides designers, businesses and residential properties with nature wall print wraps. By both consulting with clients and subsequently delivering the photos, Suzanne plans to bring her photography to buildings, hospitals, offices, airports and homeowners who want a nature feature wall. “This new trend is a perfect combination of my experience with interior spaces, and my love of nature photography.”

Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca| 604-726-5575