Mary Buck Bio:

My enthusiasm for photography began when I was just eighteen years old. Lucky for me, my brother Brad was a professional photographer and got me excited about photography. He recommended my first camera, the Olympus Rangefinder. I toted my new camera with me wherever I went. Eventually, I upgraded to a film SLR camera, the Olympus OM-1. I feel fortunate to have learned photography in the film days. Knowing how to make a correct exposure was a must, unless you wanted to burn through film and processing.

Other commitments got in the way for the next couple decades, but I never stopped enjoying photography. I worked in the real estate industry while I raised my family, but I continued to learn all I could about photography. That path led me to starting my own photography business in 1997 when I opened a portrait studio: Lightscapes Photographic Artwork.

I started to teach beginner-level photography at my studio in Duluth, Georgia, when the recession hit in 2009 as a filler for my portrait business. I had no idea where this would take me. In the next nine years, I taught over 1500 people how to use DSLR cameras. I eventually expanded my program to include intermediate and advanced-level courses. I taught specialty courses on lighting, Photoshop, still-life photography and flash photography. I was so busy teaching photography that I decided to start an online program in 2014. Studio 2.8 Photography Learning Center was born, and since then, I have taught people from all over the world my course “How to Take Creative Control of a DSLR Camera.”

In 2016, my family was struck with tragedy, when my husband died suddenly in a bicycle accident. I began to travel to subdue my grief. I realized life was too short not to live my passion, so I decided to combine my new-found love of travel with my long-lasting love of photography. I knew my husband would have wanted me to continue my life with zest and passion.

In mid-2017, I embarked on a new business venture: offering photography immersion workshops. I figured if one can learn a new language through immersion, why not photography? My first immersion workshop was in October at Amicalola Falls in the North Georgia Mountains. The three-day workshop was beyond my expectations, as I saw how all seven of my students grasped the information so readily through the immersion model. I also underestimated the camaraderie that would develop. It was a fun and magical three days!

I am happy to announce my new venture: CLICK + TRAVEL + LEARN – Photography Immersion Workshops and Lessons. I am continuing my passion for photography in new environments as I travel to exciting destinations around the world and offer private lessons. Destinations planned for 2018-2019 include Havana, Cuba; Key West; North Georgia Mountains; and San Diego. I will be expanding the program to more international locations in late 2018. I am excited about this new chapter for my business. I hope you are too!

Mary Buck is a portrait photographer and owner of Lightscapes Photographic Artwork in Duluth, Ga. She is also an instructor and teaches photography in her community and at destinations around the world.