Raised in the South, I do say Y’all occasionally and I might have a slight southern accent, just maybe ;) I’ve been taking pictures since I was in 7th grade. That’s when I discovered it was a good way to meet the cheerleaders, since I didn’t play any sports. I started getting paid for my photography at age 16, when I shot my first wedding, never having met the bride. Can you imagine what that bride must have been thinking when a skinny 16 year old kid showed up at her wedding and introduced himself as her wedding photographer!?
Currently, I’m an award winning commercial photographer who loves to capture those in-between moments, the unscripted and fun moments that happen around the scripted shots. Oh yeah, I haven’t shot a wedding in over 15 years, and I’m not complaining :)
I am based out of Charlotte, New York and Los Angeles.
One last thing: The daredevil, Evel Knievel, was one of the reasons I became a photographer. Ask me to tell you that story when we meet.
Clients Include
2x4 Chicago, Accenture - L.A., FCB-Chicago, Bosch, Lowe’s, Meineke, Moen, Abbott Labs, Comcast/XUMO, Wrangler, Champion, Hanes, Dole, Husqvarna, Rack Room, Home Depot, Matel/Barbie, Meredith Publications, Thomas Built, Britax, BOLT Design Group, Wray Ward, Mythic Agency, B.O.B. Gear, Belk, Perlabella, Ser Padres, Siempre Mujer, Biana Clothing, Quad, RSM, SCOR, Kreber Studios, Sattler USA/Outdura and more…
Some Nice Words About Me, From People I’ve Worked with
Mark's friendly and personable demeanor made working with him feel like working with an old friend. He took the time to understand my vision for the shoot, which resulted in an enjoyable experience and a fantastic final product. I can’t recommend Mark enough and I’m looking forward to the next time! - Sarah Hua (Art Director - FCB Chicago)
Mark was so much fun to work with and I could not be happier with the results of our shoot. We worked together on a 2-day corporate shoot during a video production with one day at a studio and the other at an office. It was important to me that I partner with an experienced artist who could capture the depth, personality, and raw/candid humans and their sentiments throughout the shoot. I didn't want it to be a typical dry, predictable big company set of images. What we walked away with was incredible - feeling, energy, and every asset I needed to showcase our employer brand with a real sense of who our people are. The intangibles were fantastic too - I couldn't have hoped for a more fun, down to earth team to work with between Mark and his shoot assistant. It was a great time with great outputs and I wouldn't hesitate in hiring Mark again.Mark was so much fun to work with and I could not be happier with the results of our shoot. We worked together on a 2-day corporate shoot during a video production with one day at a studio and the other at an office. It was important to me that I partner with an experienced artist who could capture the depth, personality, and raw/candid humans and their sentiments throughout the shoot. I didn't want it to be a typical dry, predictable big company set of images. What we walked away with was incredible - feeling, energy, and every asset I needed to showcase our employer brand with a real sense of who our people are. The intangibles were fantastic too - I couldn't have hoped for a more fun, down to earth team to work with between Mark and his shoot assistant. It was a great time with great outputs and I wouldn't hesitate in hiring Mark again. - Leila Shamas (Global Talent Brand Leader at Nintex)
“Mark is a photographer who makes a photo shoot fun and brings out what we need in our models...personality. He is able to communicate well with them giving us great ending results. I love working with Mark!!!” - Diana Lang (Sr. Creative Services Producer - Home Depot)
“Mark is incredibly talented and was absolutely amazing to work with during our shoot. Highly recommend!” - Tracy Jones (Senior Visual Strategy Designer at RSM US LLP)
“Oh my gosh, I am trying to make a select list (of images) and I basically picking everyone. I’m really happy with the images! - Allyson Stevens (Marketing Coordinator @ Wrangler)
“When you did the photography for my book cover, you really, really captured me and you made it so easy and so fun! I will always be grateful.” - Barbara Mckay (TV personality and Author)
“Mark is an excellent photographer and joy to work with. He is a guru with natural light as well as in-studio. He makes everyone feel comfortable and is always welcoming in the collaborative process. I wish I had the opportunity to hire him more often!” - Annette Schowers (Freelance Producer)
“I've worked with Mark several times and he is always on top of his game and gives excellent results. He's especially good at working with people and getting them to get the best shot possible. He's also very easy to work with and great to be on set with when working the long hours that we have on some jobs.” - Brandon Scharr (Senior Designer at Wray Ward)
“Thanks a lot Mark! The pleasure was all mine. Grateful for your professionalism, great disposition and excellent quality work!” - Iana Boyd (Managing Partner of Biana Clothing)
“Anyone can take pictures of beautiful people, it takes a photographer like Mark Hanson to capture the essence of the moment, ever so seamlessly. What I love about Mark is he has the flexibility to roll with the moment, and that’s huge!"” - Michelle Zapata (Senior Manager of Production at Authentic Brands Group)
“Mark is such a pro at working with people and getting people to do what he wants them to do and look natural at it. He is an obvious choice, almost always, for people shoots.” - Jason Neman (Partner/CEO of Good Brand Company)
“Mark is an asset to any photo/video shoot, his talent behind the camera is technically sound. I adore not only the ease with which he puts the subjects in front of his camera, but also the camaraderie his personality fosters within the entire crew. Everyone is smiling and genuinely enjoying the day no matter how long of a day we might have ahead of us. I know that when I am added to his crew as the hair and makeup artist, that I will have all the information I need to please the clients and make beautiful imagery!” - Heather Hawkins (IATSE Local 798 Hairstylist)
“Talented, Reliable and easy going are words best used to describe Mark Hanson” - David Cooper (Photo Director - Meredith Publications)
“Mark is an Art Director’s best friend. He sees your vision and captures it exactly.” - Josh Orenstein (Art Director - Belk)
“Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!! I love the shots, the color, the lighting, the mood, everything!!” - Brooklyn Decker (Actress and model)
Question for me from Michelle Zapata
Photo producer who has worked with Authentic Brand Group, Saks Fifth Ave., Meredith Group, etc.
1. Describe the moment you knew you’d be a photographer.
I think it was the moment I first saw a picture of the daredevil Evel Knievel appear on the paper that was in the developer in my father’s darkroom. I was probably 5 or 6 years old.
2. What was your first photo of?
I don’t remember what my first photo was. I’ve been taking pictures since I was very little. Although, my first picture shooting for something other than myself was for my 7th grade yearbook and I’m pretty sure it was a picture of cheerleaders. Getting attention from the cheerleaders helped push me towards a career in photography. 😉
3. Who inspired you to keep shooting?
Once I started, I’m not sure I ever really stopped, but I think my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, is probably responsible for my career. We were dating at the time and I was shooting weddings and some model agency test shoots on the side, when I wasn’t working at my “real job”. She saw that I really wanted to do more with photography and she suggested I go see a small modeling agency that she had been a part of, so I did. That meeting went well and I ended up shooting for and working for that agency. That was probably the moment my career started.
4. Is there anything/anyone you would not shoot? Why?
Anything that overly objectifies women. I get that advertising uses sex to sell things and that women will be objectified, and men as well, to a certain extent, but anything that puts a woman in a subservient position or appears to be cruel to women, I won’t shoot. I have two daughters and I don’t want them to see things like that and to think, that’s what women should do, or that’s what women are for. I definitely don’t want them to see something like that and then find out that their father shot it.
5. Are there any creatives you would like to collaborate with in the future?
You, for sure. We have worked together in the past and it is always a great time. I love the creativity that happens when we work together.
6. If someone filmed a movie about your journey as a photographer, would it be in black and white or in color?
Probably color. I love the look and drama of black and white, but I would say color would be the best option for a story about my journey as a photographer. There’s been very little drama in my career as a photographer and my sets are very laidback and fun. So, I’d go with color, all the way!