Welcome - Bienvenidos

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome!

Suzanne - Founder, Somos Semillas Photography

My name is Suzanne and I’m so glad you found my page. I’m a bilingual US citizen who, for many reasons, immigrated to Mexico in 2022. I’ve lived in Honduras and Colombia before, so Latin America feels more like home to me in many ways than the US does. I relocated in search of a quieter, less stressful, yet still purposeful life. I love the Spanish language and the cultures of Latin America - my Latino friends often joke that I’ve got a Latina soul. I love that!

Sunrise at the iconic leaning lighthouse in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

I’d been a social worker in the US since 2001 and had been working in a hospital ICU for a number of years when the pandemic hit - talk about out of the frying pan and into the flame! The vicarious trauma and additional anxiety of working in a hospital during the pandemic was the push I needed to finally start making a plan to move back to Latin America. I got my TEFL certification in the meantime, planning to teach English online once I moved. Initially I thought about moving to Colombia (and a big piece of my heart is still there!), but my Colombian friends said that it wasn’t a good time to be moving back with the pandemic, some unrest, and economic conditions there. But my heart was calling me home to Latin America.

During a particularly frigid spell in January 2021 I decided I needed a break from work and needed some sunshine and warmth. When prices for airline tickets were less expensive to go to Cancun than to go to Florida, I jumped at the opportunity to explore somewhere new. I ended up booking a short stay at an AirBnb in the resort section of Cancun overlooking the beach - the view was gorgeous!! During those few days I met some lovely Mexicans staying at the same place that I was, I ventured out to the Mayan Museum in Cancun, I took the bus around town just to see what the non-tourist areas of Cancun were like, enjoyed some fabulous meals, and witnessed some breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from my room. It was just what I needed!

The water off the Riviera Maya of Mexico is absolutely stunning!

When I returned home, my mom asked me if I’d looked at vacation property when I was there, which I had not done. I was kicking myself! So both of us started looking online and pretty soon I had a realtor and booked another trip to Cancun in April 2021 to look at property. On that trip, I explored a bit of Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, deciding that Puerto Morelos is more my speed with its quiet, laid back atmosphere with a distinct lack of discotecas and designer shops. I bought a small house in Puerto Morelos that was still under construction at the time, and once I FINALLY had access to it in October 2021 (living in Mexico lesson #1: construction and paperwork related delays are SO common - prepare yourself!) I worked with a local property manager to have it finished inside and later I found a lovely carpenter who made a number of custom furniture pieces for me.

The colorful Puerto Morelos sign overlooks the ocean in the Parque del Casco Antiguo on the portside of town.

Once I bought my house, I initially anticipated moving down in September 2021, but with all the delays, my house wasn’t ready until the Spring of 2022. The change in timing also meant that I ended up teaching high school Spanish in the US for the 21/22 school year, so I made my move after school got out on June 21, 2022. I was so relieved to finally be done with the stress of an international move and get settled into life here!

El muelle principal, or main dock, in Puerto Morelos is where you will meet up for your snorkeling  our or fishing trips. It is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Look for fish, pelicans, and sting  rays in the area. 

Photography has always been an interest of mine since I was a small girl using a cheap 35mm camera on family vacations. I’ve only taken one 3-session photography course - the rest has been pure trial and error after reading tips online. I feel like photography is part art and part science, with every outing being a chance to experiment with settings, light, and composition. I love capturing memories in beautiful images that create an emotional response. I especially love macro photography, because it highlights all the details and the creative design of nature - things we often miss in our busyness.

Panga boats are anchored along the beach in Puerto Morelos and are commonly used for snorkeling trips and by local fisherman.

Somos Semillas Photography was born in 2023, after I started working for Puente Cultural Integration/Experience Puerto Morelos and needed a way to tag my photos on their social media platforms without using my personal accounts. Choosing the name was quite challenging for me, as I wanted it to be bilingual and portray my personality, beliefs and respect for Mexican culture. 

The beautiful view of Puerto Morelos and the ocean from the
rooftop pool and dining area of Italian restaurant Osteria Barocca.

In the end, I chose 'Somos Semillas Photography' from a Mexican proverb that has deep meaning for me. It says, “Quisieron enterrarnos, pero no sabían que éramos semillas” which means “They wanted to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.” I had a necklace made with this saying several years ago after a major life trauma, and I wear it every day since as a reminder that what someone else meant for evil did not stop me. That I have a choice to be brave and put forth the effort to sprout through the darkness and bloom again.  I hope to use my platform to build others up and encourage them to keep pushing ahead past obstacles and towards their dreams. The image of seeds and plants is also a nod to my dad who had a landscaping business and my grandpa who owned a tree nursery.

This Mexican art print from HanncelStudio on Etsy is on my living room wall
as a reminder that I am strong and can overcome anything.

On this page you’ll find an ever expanding array of content - from photos of sunrise in Puerto Morelos, to special events like Mexican Independence Day, to Dia De Muertos or Hanal Pixan. You’ll also find photos and information of my adventures puebleando - visiting smaller, more traditional, often colonial towns - around the Yucatan Peninsula and beyond. And I’m sure I’ll be adding information about daily life and helpful tips about moving and living in Mexico. 

If there’s something in particular that you’re interested in learning about, shoot me an email at somossemillasphotography@gmail.com and let me know!