About our studio….

Altenburg Studio was started over 75 years ago by my mother, Kay Altenburg in a small, Illinois town. The studio was in our home and most of my earliest memories centered around photography. I loved looking at the portraits that she did, talking to people when they came to be photographed and watching her hand-color their black and white portraits. I spent many hours in the darkroom with my mom making prints and the magic of seeing those images appear never goes away. From the time I was little I always knew I wanted to be a photographer just like her.

We moved to Las Vegas in 1972 and re-opened the studio here. All during high school I took photography courses and helped at the studio. After high school I attended Brooks Institute of Photography and got my Bachelors of Arts Degree. I came home to Las Vegas and worked with my mom in the family business until she retired in 1990. I took over the studio and we moved to our present location on Decatur Blvd. This year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary in business in Nevada making us the oldest photography studio in Las Vegas.

Our studio is centrally located less than two miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. I wanted my business to keep that same warm feeling of our original home studio. Though I take my craft quite seriously the atmosphere in our studio is casual and comfortable. We have a portrait garden tucked in back with flowers blooming most of the year. We have built fun outdoor sets and have unique photography backgrounds both inside and out. 

About your photographer…

Sue Altenburg graduated with honors from Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelors Degree in Professional Portraiture. Sue was the first woman in Nevada to receive the degree of Certified Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America. She also holds PPA’s Photographic Craftsman Degree and was awarded an honorary Master of Science Degree from Brooks Institute of Photography for her continued service to the photographic community.

Sue has been the recipient of numerous national and international print awards and is an internationally recognized speaker. She has done two lecture tours of Japan and a speaking tour of the UK. She is a frequent speaker and print judge for the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers Convention in London, England. Sue also taught pinhole and digital photography for the Smithsonian Associates in Washington D.C.