Our Story
Every family has a story. Our story began with a passion for photography in high school – that evolved into a family business that has been around for nearly 40 years! Today, it is our greatest honor to capture our client’s unique stories through family portraits, creating family heirlooms for future generations to enjoy. It’s what we love to do each and every day.
Seattle area native Bruce Hudson and his late wife Sue started Hudson’s Photography in 1982.
Orange Coast College Jazz Festival in California 1973
Bruce and Sue’s engagement portrait in 1975
Olympic College Jazz Festival Bremerton WA 1972
As with many professional photographers, Bruce’s love of photography started out at a young age. He took his first photography class as a Sophomore while attending Kent-Meridian High School in Kent, WA. This was also when he met his High School sweetheart Sue while playing in the band together. In 1975 Bruce & Sue married at the young age of 20 & 21.
While Bruce attended Western Washington University as a music major and Sue worked for the City of Bellingham, they began to photograph weddings on the weekends for friends and family.
After graduation, Bruce started his teaching career at Tahoma HS in Maple Valley WA, but he and Sue still photographed weddings on the weekends to supplement their “day ‘ jobs. After 4 years of teaching Band and photographing on average 50-100 weddings per year, Bruce & Sue took a leap of faith and turned their photography hobby and transformed it into a full-time profession!
In the early years of Hudson Portraits, the Hudsons main focus was to build a business on the strong foundation of superior customer service and innovative photography. “We have always had a passion for our clients that was contagious. I feel that is why our business grew so quickly from the start. Positive word of mouth marketing spread like wildfire,” says Bruce!
During the next 15 years, Bruce and Sue photographed hundreds of weddings and thousands of family and high school senior portraits. They were also approached by Fuji Film and other industry leaders to travel and share their successes with other professionals all over the world.
Unfortunately, in 1996 Sue lost a 22-month battle with cancer at the age of 41. Today at Hudson’s Portrait Design, Bruce still recognizes that much of the continued success of the studio is definitely part of Sue’s legacy.
The Hudson’s 20th wedding anniversary celebration in Hawaii in 1995. 3 1/2 months before Sue passed away.
Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kauai, HI 1995
Beginning in 2006, Bruce’s son Josh joined the family business full time after opting out of attending law school. Ironically, Josh is doing exactly what his mom Sue did while she was alive- managing the day to day operations of the studio AND keeping his old man in line!
Today, Hudson’s Portrait Design is considered one of the top family portrait and wedding photography studios in the country! Many of Bruce’s early high school senior clients from the
Go Hawks!
“At Hudson’s, it’s all about relationships! When you treat clients right and provide them with a unique and professional service, they come back again and again,” says Josh Hudson.
In Memory of Sue…
In February 1996, Sue Hudson lost her battle with cancer at the age of 41. She was an incredible wife, partner, and most importantly mother to her children Josh and McKenna. Bruce and Sue established Hudson’s Photography in 1982 and together photographed over 1,000 weddings. They also presented over 100 programs to photographic organizations all over the world!
Sue touched people’s lives like no other. Her beauty, humor, wisdom, and passion for life will always be missed…but never forgotten! Today at Hudson’s Portrait Design, Sue’s legacy lives on through every image created!
We miss you every day. Thank you for your inspiration that drives us to strive for perfection and only settle for excellence in both life and business. Bruce, Josh, McKenna, and the Hudson’s Team!
Let us help you tell your family’s story.
We believe that capturing your family in a beautiful photograph provides a cherished memory for years to come. We know and understand from a personal perspective how much these images mean to a family.