TMT Presents Mary Ellen Mark

Today at work, I was able to attend a Texas Monthly Talks taping in the studio, introducing the amazing photographer Mary Ellen Mark. Not only was she here to talk with Evan Smith, editor of Texas Monthly magazine, but she was also doing a talk tonight at 7 p.m. for the Austin Center of Photography. Although she is not an Austin photographer - she's originally from Philadelphia - I could not pass up a chance to show you some of her work.

She's been taking pictures professionally for over four decades, working on film sets, magazine assignments and personal projects, as well as teaching and giving talks along the way.

She recently got back from teaching photography in Mexico, before that working on Tim Burton's new movie Alice in Wonderland.

Here is some of her previous work:

Part of her Rodeo collection for Texas Monthly in 1992


Duke Ellington


A piece from her Mexico Circus collection


Johnny Depp

Had to put in that last one of Johnny, whom she said was a beautiful person - I agree, Mary Ellen.

Her latest personal project was going to 12 high schools across the nation to document today's average American prom. One of the high schools was West Lake High School here in Austin. She said she was trying to capture a true "Texas prom."

It was really great listen to their interview - check the TMT Web site for when the show will be showing if you're interested in watching it, also look out for Mary Ellen's book compilations, including:

Seen Behind the Scenes: 40 Years of Photographing on Set.