SOUTH BEND
Before he was "America's Best Pet Photographer" David Sutton was one of Washington High School's best.
Sutton, who was born and raised in South Bend, bought his first 35 mm camera, at age 14, with six years of earnings as a Tribune carrier.
His interest in photography grew, he says, through his work for the Washington High School yearbook and newspaper, and "Beyond Our Control," the Junior Achievement-sponsored television program produced by WNDU-TV from 1968 to 1986.
Sutton helped his late teacher Dave Weber set up a photography program at WHS, and Sutton soon discovered he was drawn to portraiture and black-and-white photography, trademarks of his work today.
Washington High School also was where Sutton mounted his first photography exhibit -- featuring candid portraits of the boy who lived next door, John Michael Palmer.
Graduating in 1976, Sutton went on to college at Indiana University, taking 10 weeks off after the first year to wander Europe, creating photographs he still considers stunning.
Eventually, Sutton finished college at the University of California at Los Angeles.
Pet personalities shine through Dave Sutton's photographs.
Photos Provided/Dave Sutton
He moved back to Bloomington to free-lance, but he says, "got very thin. There's not much of a market there."
He's lived and worked in Evanston, Ill., since 1986.
In addition to his studio work, Sutton says he expects in the spring to produce a loose line of greeting cards that will be available through Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Borders Books Music & Cafe. He also hopes to soon begin work on a book of his photographs.
His parents, Vern and Von Sutton, still live in South Bend. Two sisters also live in the area.
