[2] From an early age he enjoyed drawing and painting, and at thirteen or fourteen he set off for Yokohama determined to become an artist.
[8] On his return to Japan, Suzuki became the successful operator of his father-in-law's new branch studio in Kudanzaka, Tokyo.
His photographs, often large hand-coloured albumen prints, won prizes at international exhibitions in Europe and Japan and he was commissioned to photograph such persons of rank as the Hawaiian King Kalākaua in 1881, the Crown Prince Tōgu (東宮) in 1888 (for which he was paid $50), and the Japanese Empress Dowager in 1890.
When the Tsarevich's visit to Japan was cut short following an attempt on his life, the albums were instead presented to Russia and Greece.
[12] After the Russo-Japanese War, Suzuki made an unfortunate investment in the transport industry, and the family was ruined.