An afternoon with Mary.
Image: Mary Lowe
Through workshops, I see first hand the struggles of aspiring photographers wanting to develop their skills whilst remaining patient. It’s hard not to want to know it all now and the frustrations of getting to know the “technicals” and Photoshop are at times overwhelming. It’s only after a few years of learning myself that I can recognize and enjoy the fact that photography is an ongoing journey.
This week, one of my Actions customers emailed with a technical query. We wrote back and forth a few times until my customer just happened to mention that, at the same time she is taking digital photos and enhancing them with Photoshop actions, she also is seventy six years old. I was immediately intrigued and hugely inspired. I only wished Mary lived across town, not across the World. I’d love nothing more than to spend an afternoon delving into the life and times of this amazing lady so I did the next best thing and sent her an interview. How thrilled I am that she did indeed reply.
For all of those wondering if you will ever come to terms with photography, or whether you’re ready to even try, or whether you’ve missed the boat, or to those of you who are simply afraid of failing, at anything…I share this for you.
Welcome Mary!
Firstly, when did you start your journey into photography & what inspired you to do so?
I have always loved photography and acquired a 35mm SLR as a gift from my older sister when I was around 19. I loved this camera but eventually I recognized the fact that I knew nothing about taking pictures. I muddled my way through life until I was 50 years old at which time I enrolled in an adult education photography class at the local high school. I learned a few rules of proper composition but the thing that set me on fire was the dark room belonging to the instructor. He had one set up in his spare bathroom and as an assignment for our class we had to shoot a roll of black & white film & develop it in his darkroom. I was hooked. Shortly after this experience we made a decision to build an addition onto our house, making room for my widowed mother to move in with us. I said, “Why don’t we make it just this much bigger (stretching my arms out wide) and put in a darkroom ?” My oldest son was sitting there and he echoed my sentiments, “GO FOR IT, MA, GO FOR IT!” The rest is history.
My oldest daughter was the assistant yearbook editor in her junior year at the high school which meant she would be the editor as a senior. We pitched in and learned how to use the darkroom, helping to produce the best yearbook Beaver High School had ever published. As a result, people began calling on me to take pictures for various reasons. At first I developed them in my home darkroom, even venturing into color. Then I realized that a 35mm just didn’t cut it for producing professional pictures and I couldn’t keep up with the darkroom work. My next investment was a medium format camera which led to backdrops and lighting and everything I could think of. I read every book I could find to sharpen my skills. All of my color film was sent to a reliable lab & the darkroom was exclusively for B&W. Eventually my niece asked me to shoot a wedding for her brother-in-law who couldn’t afford a photographer and it took off from there.
Mostly, I didn’t have any idea what I was doing and I made a lot of mistakes. I tell everyone who inquires about my photography that if there was ever a mistake to be made I had already made it. That’s the biggest teaching tool I know of. The trick is to learn from your mistakes and only do that which pleases your eye. I remember reading somewhere, “Just keep on shooting frames of film and eventually you will realize that you can “actually see” before you push the shutter button. It was a delight when I reached that summit.
I was practically the only photographer in our little town of 2,000 so I was called upon to shoot every wedding that came along. Add to that, taking pictures of families, seniors, babies, children, and I was one busy mom. Besides that I worked full time at the local hospital. Word of mouth was my only advertising and soon I was shooting weddings in nearby communities as well. I averaged 40 to 50 weddings a year and traveled lots of miles.
What inspires you now?
I have now reached the age of 76 and my clients have migrated to the younger photographers. I thought I would simply retire but when the owner of my lab confided in me that they were phasing out film by the end of the year I was horrified. I planned on shooting my grandchildren’s weddings and many other things. What do you mean, film will be obsolete? I couldn’t stand it. I dug down into my savings and bought a Canon D5 Mark II and proceeded to learn how to use it. I was unprepared for the results. I was once more “hooked” on photography. I love the freedom of the digital camera, to be able to shoot without a tripod and to use all that wonderful ambient light, to be able to instantly tell if you have a good image. It has been a challenge to do my own editing in Photoshop but I SHALL CONQUER. I have a lot to learn but that has never stopped me before.
What has photography given you?
Photography has given me great satisfaction. I take pride in producing the best possible images for my clients that I can and it makes me happy when they return year after year to have their families photographed. It has made me more aware of this beautiful world and God’s wonderful creations. When you are a photographer you look at everything as if you were going to take a picture of it, even if you don’t have your camera with you.
Do you have some advice for those starting out in photography and feeling daunted?
My advice to all you photographers out there is that you are never too old to begin, or too young. I never dreamed that I would be able to accomplish all that I have after age 50 but I have loved every minute of it. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. If you can laugh at your goofs, so will everybody else.
Any disasters along the way?
Let me tell you of one of my experiences. I was shooting a wedding in a community 50 miles away. I had no assistant, I was all by myself. The wedding ceremony turned out to be long and drawn out and I could see my valuable shooting time slipping away. Finally it was over and I hurried to get set up so I could take as many pictures as possible before the reception began. Part of my wedding package was to take some formal pictures of everybody, using a small backdrop. It was assembled by erecting two stands with a pole stretched between them. The backdrop was then lifted up over the pole where I always held my breath that it wouldn’t fall down. I had the stands and the pole set up and was lifting the backdrop up to sling over the top. Suddenly the stands began to tip and the only thing I could do was lower the backdrop to see where the stands were going to land. To my horror I caught sight of the cake directly in it’s path. I could see that it was a four-layer cake but instead of being stacked, each layer was separately laid out on the table, all elegantly decorated. Well, the left stand, with pole still attached, dipped down and zeroed in on the closest layer. Just then the right stand did a little maneuver thingy that caused the left stand to become a missile launcher. It picked that layer up and catapulted it ten feet into the air where it did a little flip and began it’s descent upside down. I kid you not, but it landed in the exact same spot it had started out in, only this time it was in a million pieces, icing everywhere. I heard a scream behind me and immediately knew the bride was aware of my dilemma. The bride’s mother, without missing a beat, commenced scooping up the horrible mess and rearranging the other three layers. When she finished you would never have known that it was supposed to be four layers instead of
three.
I learned something that day. Never set up a backdrop anywhere near the cake, find a better way to attach the backdrop and hire an assistant, then go outside and have a big belly laugh. I might add I have enough experiences like that to write a book.
What is your dream image?
I haven’t really thought about having a dream image but I suppose every photographer hopes to be responsible for something spectacular. That’s what keeps me shooting, I guess.
Thankyou again Mary, for taking the time to share your experiences. I think you’re amazing and I’m sure my readers will too. I can only dream of waking up forty years from now and still holding my passion tight.
Sheye xx
How very inspiring! :) I scrolled down this interview without reading it at first, but then I saw the photo and I just had to read it all. The “I SHALL CONQUER” gave me a big, big smile! :) What a spirit. It really makes me happy to see someone “old” being engaged in something they love.
Thanks for thinking of doing this interview, and for sharing it. Internet is awesome, haha. :D
What an inspiring interview. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing that! Her story is so inspiring! I just turned 33 and just really got hooked on photography about a year ago. I have said quite a few times lately that I wish I would have started much younger so that I would know more by now. My daughter is almost 13 and has been expressing a huge interest in learning photography. I want to do everything I can to help her learn. I’m hoping that one day soon I’ll be able to buy her a dslr for her to learn on. :)
That was a really uplifting story. I am 37 and have always loved “snapping shots” for fun. I have always used a 35mm SLR and gotten great results, but now with digital it’s daunting. I can’t use a cheap point and shoot camera as I feel it’s restricting me, yet I am blind to digital photography and just now starting to play with my in-laws Canon Rebel XS/EOS 1000D. I’m lost but I still have pleasure in my composition skills. Mary’s story reminded me to keep at it and I’m not too old to start anew. Thanks for sharing this inspiring story.
Thanks, Sheye, for allowing me to share my story. You did a great job in presenting it. I would like to meet you some day.
“looking at everything as if you’re going to take a picture of it” … that is exactly right and so true. what a wonderful interview, and what a wonderful lady!
That was fantastic! I’m often overwhelmed by what I don’t know but know I need to know. Her story reminds me that there is time for learning and to just be patient. For me the most intimidating part of photography is the editing software, not the camera or actually taking pictures. If she can do it, so can I! Thanks for this inspiring story :-)
Awwwww, amazing:) How inspiring!!!! Thanks for sharing that Sheye!!!! xoxo
What a wonderful share! A good reminder that this journey is more like a marathon than it is a sprint.
Oh Sheye. You keep giving me reasons to love you! Thank you for sharing Mary’s story. I was actually thinking to myself last night, “Oh gosh…am I going to be doing this for the next 35+ years (universe willing)?” And to hear Mary’s story just reaffirms that, with real passion, anything is possible. ♥
Inspiring! Thank you so much! It made my morning to read this. (and sorry, but couldn’t help but scream and then giggle about the cake story!) :)
I think I love Mary. When she says she looks at everything like she is going to take a picture of it – I can totally relate. She has inspired and encouraged me to tackle Photoshop with a renewed conviction! ☺
This interview just made my day. Thank you for sharing!
OOoh thank you. I have been so annoyed at myself the past few days for not getting great shots, and was becoming so discouraged, feeling like a failure.
But this has been such a lovely read. Thank you. xx
Wow, I can’t even begin to tell you just how much this interview has inspired me. just pure awesomness. thank you for sharing, sheye & mary.
Truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing! It’s given me hope to keep on keepin’ on!
Thanks so much Sheye and Mary for sharing this interview – I’ve read it twice.
Oh my word Sheye, what a beautiful inspiring lady indeed!! Your interview was a pleasure to read, Mary – it brought tears to my eyes, Thank You ever so much xx {I love the idea about never being too old….but I also love how you added ‘never too young’ either. I have a very bright 6yo little girl who wants to learn anything and everything – I’ve explained shutter speed and ISO and aperture to her and she can explain them back to me (and anyone else) just as well. We go outside and I ask her what settings do you think we should use and we happily shoot away? Never too young:) Vanessa xx
OH my goodness I am in awe, how amazing is Mary! I want to have a cup of tea with her and transfer all of her knowledge and love of life and absorb it like a sponge. What a wonderful wonderful inspiration with a brilliant attitude.
Thank you Sheye for bringing Mary to us. I think Mary needs to have a blog of her own so we can follow her amazing journey!!!
Ohhh I had such a giggle the cake disaster!
Keren
xxx
Thank you! what a wonderful post. Mary rocks!
Oh my gosh, I am in a state of bliss and insperation that I hope never fades me. How wonderful to hear such an amazing story. Thankyou Mary. And thankyou Sheye for sharing her with us. xx
Sheye,
I check on your blog all the time to see your beautiful pictures and read your inspiring words. When I opened your website today to see “Mary Lowe” as the feature I thought there was no possible way that you could be writing about the same woman that is from my very small hometown in Utah. Indeed you were! Mary is great. She photographed my wedding six years ago. My first experience in a dark room was at Mary’s place. She did some black and white photos once for me and a group of friends then showed us the magic of the dark room. I’ve always been intrigued with photography and am now just starting to create my style. It’s good to hear that Mary is learning and growing. Thanks for the interview.
how wonderful. and inspiring. everyday my camera makes my heart beat a little faster so i know i found my passion and consider myself a student daily. mary is proof i have much to learn. xo
Mary, what an inspiration!
wow..what an amazing story…She is a wonderful women..thanks for sharing it!..i am encouraged…. :) oxoxoxoxo
Mary, what a delight to hear about your photographic journey – truly an insirpation to us all. And Sheye, thanks for sharing this wonderful lady, xx
I can really relate to Mary’s words: “when you are a photographer you look at everything as if you were going to take a picture of it, even if you don’t have your camera with you”. Why is it that whenever I don’t have my camera with me I see the most amazing things to photograph.
What a fun thing to do Sheye! And how very inspiring! My favorite part was when she talked about becoming more aware of this beautiful world & looking at everything as if it were going to be a photograph. So, so true! I am guilty of being very impatient with the learning process (as you know) but this reminds me that life is not a race.. my journey has just begun & there is so much to look forward to, but I don’t need to rush it. Thank you for sharing, Mary!
What an inspiritional lady, thanks so much for sharing your story with us Mary! Sheye, once again you motivate, inspire, delight and encourage us by sharing Mary with us, thankyou lovely lady :-) xx
Tears of happiness. Mary thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you Sheye and thank you Mary. I yearn for a change of direction in my life and, 3 years ago, at the ripe old age of 43, started pursing what had only been a hobby before, and enrolled in a 4 year Advanced Diploma of Photography. One more year to go and I’m loving it. I have however, been a bit down lately that I may have left my run too late to actually make a career out of my passion. Two things this week – hearing a song with the line “today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten” and, now, Mary’s story have revitalised my enthusiasm and optimism. Thank you both!
You go, Mary! Woo hoo!I love it!
Thank you Sheye, and thank you Mary. What a great story, thanks for the encouragement.
that is the sweetest thing I’ve read in a long long time. God Bless her and her spirit.
What a sweet story! But that cake incident just cracked me up! I’ve shot a handful of weddings bf digital and remember just praying there would be an image or two when the film came back. But oh…equipment falling on the cake! You’re right though…one must keep a sense of humor and pray that the bride (and mom of the bride) has one too!!
I always respect the old ladies considering the fact that they have lived longer then we have and they have a long history behind them. This post reminded me of my grandmother, who is now in heaven. A reminder of loving and caring for the ederly who have experienced more than we have throughout their life time. Anyway such a beautiful story. I am touched.
It just shows us that you are never too old to learn and try new things. I love Marys story, and at half her age I’m not sure what I’m waiting for.
Oh Sheye, she is wonderful. What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing that… it made me smile and gave me hope.
Weeeeee! What an amazing lady…so inspiring! I won’t give up, I’ll keep making my mistakes and pursuing my intrest in photography because of reading about Mary. If she can figure out photoshop..I can too!
what a beautiful story Sheye, i just hope i can do a ‘Mary” yes my son eventually bought me my very first SLR last thursday,i ended up leaving the choice of camera for him to choose and it was a Pentax K-X, it was the day before my daughters wedding so of course i had no idea what i was doing but did manage to get a few nice shots!!! i have SO MUCH SO MUCH to learn…………………lets go xxxx p.s. what a beautiful boy christian was to buy this for his mummy xxx thankyou x
Thanks for giving us all some hope.:)
Just amazing! I am 40 and have been wanting to get on the photography bandwagon for years.. still taking photos every week but only using automatic on my SLR.. I have 7mth old twins and they are great subjects but I have no time to study my camera more or do any courses (would love to do yours sheye!).. I know now after reading Marys inpsirational story that it wont be too late if I study next year or the year after.. or in 10 years! Its something I have passion for and know whenever I do pick it up and run with it I will still enjoy it with my heart full of joy.. thanks!
Loved reading this. Tingles, admiration and inspiration.
Heya Sheye…thank you sooo much for sharing this interview w/ the very inspiring (& talented, ie: the beautiful snow pic above) Mary Lowe. I think she is everything I aspire to be.
This was truly inspiring. I recently purchased a SLR, just the t1i, after just a few months, the camera has sought more inspiration sitting on my mantle. I have felt defeated on many accounts with my camera. This story was what I needed to reboote and bere-inspire me. My reservations may come out of hiding now. Thank you.
I love to hear stories like Mary’s. It gives me hope for my future which seems rather bland and uninspired right now. Thank you, thank you for posting this!
She sounds so positively lovely. I want to give her a hug. : )
Omg.. I luuv her.. go Mary
How incredible to randomly come accross this post! Mary is my grandmother’s sister! She took my senior pictures and my wedding pictures. I don’t keep close contact with her, but along the way her work has been an inspiration in the back of my mind. GO Aunt Mary!! I only hope to have that kind of dedication!
What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing! :)