Mary Ellen Mark

Mary Ellen Mark was an American photographer known for her powerful and intimate documentary images of people on the margins of society.

Mark began her photography career in the 1960s, and her early work focused on the counterculture movement in the United States. She later turned her attention to photographing people living on the fringes of society, including street children, prostitutes, and psychiatric patients. Mark's photographs are characterized by their raw honesty and empathy, and she had a particular gift for capturing the humanity of her subjects. Her work often challenged societal norms and shed light on the lives of those who are often ignored or forgotten. Some of Mark's most famous photographs include her images of the "Tiny" series, which documented the lives of residents at a home for mentally and physically disabled children, and her photographs of homeless teenagers in Seattle.