Yesterday power house photographer Mary Ellen Mark passed away, she was hugely inspirational and I just want to share a few images from one of her books in case ure not familiar with her work :-)

I was lucky to take a workshop with her in Maine way back in 2001 after being introduced to her work whilst I was working on a feature film + the professional photographer I met told me it would "change my life". I researched Mary Ellen Mark diligently + was in awe - she'd won an award every year since I'd been born and her work blew my mind.

The week spent in Maine was tough + challenging + one of the most amazing, it did change my life, had I not have taken the class I wouldn't have ended up in Maine changing my career path + becomming a photographer, I wouldn't have had any idea about what goes in to being a photographer or met such a force of nature in Mary Ellen Mark.

Her spirit was strong, decisive, determined, her stature + dress - tall with jet black hair and black clothes slightly intimidating and the last night of our course we all had dinner together + went to the movies to watch a film she raved about ('Amores Perros' - 'Loves a Bitch' with Gael Garcia Bernal) it was the coolest film I'd ever seen at that time + the beers and wines we drank made our tutor sparkle.

Mary Ellen Mark was and always will be a photo hero and a profound inspiration + it's a sad day she is no longer here to capture life in her immutable way, love + light go to her + her family xx