Speaker Susan Maxwell (center) joins a Carmichael Chamber of Commerce audience for a rare group shot that includes the photojournalist. Photo courtesy of Carmichael Chamber of Commerce.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Susan Maxwell Skinner’s stories and photos have graced the Carmichael Times for 20 years. She’s well-known for her diligence in providing informative articles and dazzling photographs every week of the year.

She’s also equally known as one of Carmichael’s biggest cheerleaders. In fact, Skinner is a former Carmichael Chamber of Commerce president and has supported the organization for 34 years. 

On Aug. 26, the photojournalist/singer was the featured speaker at the Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon. Besides presenting pictures and stories, Skinner entertained with songs, accompanied by her longtime pianist, Del Gomes.

Skinner presented the witty "Year In The Life Of Our Town” slide presentation that intertwined her love for Mother Nature and the community. Most photos had previously appeared in the Carmichael Times.

She described the presentation as “a love letter to the place where I live and work.”  

Photojournalist Susan Maxwell Skinner includes American River nature shots in her talk for the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Photo courtesy of Carmichael Chamber of Commerce

Attendees were engrossed with large-screen projections that chronicled local activities and wild animals. As Skinner has been voted “Best Photographer” since the Best of Carmichael contest’s inception six years ago, her images record the community at its best.

Skinner often waits hours for just the right shot. Discovering a pair of bald eagles on the American River near Folsom in 2016, Skinner often walked 12 miles a day to observe their habits. For the last nine years, during the birds’ breeding season, Skinner has followed them for up to eight hours a day.

A slide of  “Momma” eagle feeding a 2025 eaglet still excited the photographer.

“These raptors are fantastic parents,” Skinner said. “We could all learn so much from them. Momma and Papa share all domestic duties. They’re very much a family.” 

The storyteller was just as appreciative of a dappled fawn, spotted yards from her house.

“It amazes me that I can find beautiful, wild creatures to photograph in my little town,” Skinner marveled.  “And right here, on the street where I live.”

Her images also saluted civic pillars, from honorary mayors to chamber President Rosie Buck (California 7th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year) and to Kiwanis Club volunteers, who present the annual Taste of Carmichael fundraiser.

A New Zealand native, Skinner worked in London before moving to California to marry the late band leader John Skinner. She is now an American citizen, who embraces all that her town and the nearby American River offer.

Skinner ended her talk by singing Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”

After two energetic hours at the chamber event, other speakers might have called it a day. Not so for Skinner.  Scarcely pausing for farewells, she and pianist Gomes hurried off to Atria Carmichael Oaks senior community to perform a happy-hour concert. 

Multi-tasker Skinner was in her element.

“I love what I do because I love our community,” Skinner said. “We live in a wonderful world. I'm just happy I can share it.”