Phase 1 - Beginning

Ever since childhood, Mary has had a keen interest in and eye for photography.  Her passion for capturing and sharing the vibrant world around her led her to pursue a double major in PR/Advertising and Broadcast Journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.  Internships played a pivotal role in exposing Mary to state-of-the-art technology and advanced photography and videography approaches.

Working as a Journalist intern for local television and radio stations, Mary gained first-hand experience translating seemingly everyday events into compelling, inspirational content.  Recognizing that her skills could contribute to positive change in the world, Mary also created documentaries and provided pro-bono photography work for numerous local charities including the Chimbote Foundation.

Phase 2 - Discovering

Early in her career, Mary worked for a number of advertising agencies including the prestigious Leo Burnett Group in Chicago, where she served as a Key Account Executive for one of the firm’s significant clients, Procter & Gamble.  In addition to serving as the interface between client executives and agency teams, Mary led e-commerce activation for marquee brands including Olay and developed innovative shopper marketing (in-store) strategies for the McCormick family of brands at another agency.

While earning her MBA from DePaul University with a concentrations in marketing and entrepreneurship, Mary transitioned from Leo Burnett to a Consumer Markets Marketing role at KPMG, a leading global professional services firm.  In this role, she was dually responsible for expanding the depth and breadth of services offered to the firm’s largest global Consumer Markets clients (such as Kraft Heinz) as well as raising awareness regionally for key service offerings through targeted local campaigns, corporate events/sponsorships and social media marketing.

While photography was an enduring hobby for Mary throughout her corporate years, the complimentary skills gained in the workforce and at business school led her to found a photography company in her namesake – Mary’s Mark.

Phase 3 - Refining

After more than a decade of responding to questions from friends, family and coworkers like “Where can we buy your photographs” or “Do you do photography professionally,” Mary decided to translate her passion for photography into a full-time business.

Mary’s Mark was initially founded as a portrait photography company in Saint Petersburg, FL.  Within a few short years, Mary developed a reputation as one of the premier photographers in the area, capturing unforgettable moments for hundreds of clients during family photo sessions, marriage engagements and small beach weddings.

In addition to portrait photography, Mary began traveling extensively across the globe to build her portfolio of fine art photography.  These vivid images of majestic landscapes and iconic cities gained immediate traction with customers. As her fine art portfolio and brand recognition grew, Mary began selling canvases, prints and merchandise across local retail stores.

Today, Mary’s Mark is principally focused on inspiring the world through fine art photography.  Now based in Juneau, Alaska Mary spends her time capturing inspirational nature landscapes and the fall, winter and spring traveling to other iconic US landscapes and marquee global cities.