Photographer and illustrator, Mark Owens, shares his life experiences motivating visual artists and photographers to strive for excellence
Mark Owens, a well-known portrait photographer from Walnut Creek, California, was featured as the guest speaker for visual art students, under the invitation of BYU–Hawaii’s University Photographer and instructor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters Monique Saenz. The opportunity to hear Mark Owens was made available to any students majoring or minoring in art, and those who were interested in developing photography or illustration skills.
Owens said he attended BYU in Provo and then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Quito, Ecuador. After, he returned to school and earned a degree in English. Although he was interested in photography, he said, “I did not have a visual arts degree. In fact, I have [done] all kinds of stuff, such as writing for a magazine and translating for a law firm. [I was] trying to figure out what I should do in order to pursue my interest in photography.”
Owens reviewed three main things he focused on as he prepared to chase his goal of photography. First, he said it was important for him to choose a career that sparked his interest, so he could be good enough to develop on-demand skills. Second, he said he needed to be passionate about it and work hard in improving those necessary skills. Lastly, he wanted to be a faithful member of the Church. He said focusing on these goals increased the opportunities he was given.
He said he was blessed with an internship at a magazine for which he would take pictures. “It was a very intense passion at that point,” Owens said. He said he was shooting products, locations, landscapes and was continuously improving. Owens shared with the students his experiences getting in contact with companies and people, who he said had kind and famous personalities. He said these people helped him through his journey of trying to reach his goals.
Eben-ezer Gonzales, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in visual arts with an emphasis in painting and illustration, said, “It is extremely cool that Mark Owens shared [about] himself and the path he took. As someone without a degree in visual arts, [this] increased his experience and knowledge by applying what he has and improving as he goes along.”
Gonzales continued, “I found it very important to apply Owens’ experiences to my life as a visual art student, because I see that he loves and enjoys what he’s doing. In fact, by listening to what he said, it gave me a huge mindset of hope.” Gonzales said hearing Owens speak and share his story, impacted his mind and soul. “I am willing to work hard and make sure to align my decisions as a visual art student with the things that are useful in the gospel relating to photography, art and illustration.”
“[Owens’ presentation] was enlightening and funny,” said Sheryl Giovanni Tania, a senior studying computer science from Jakarta, Indonesia. “He wasn’t rigid, but he cracked jokes about the struggles he faced as a photographer. In fact, he kept it real,” she added with a giggle.
Recalling what she learned from Owen’s presentation, Tania said, “I have learned that if you are working at any type of job that requires producing something for a brand, you shouldn’t feel too possessive of your work.” She continued, “Once you hand it over to the next team, such as the marketing team, it no longer becomes your art and instead becomes a marketing tool. They can edit it in a way that you might not like, but that’s just how it is.”
Tania said she hopes in the future to be persistent in her artistic endeavors, and to hear more from experts who share their experiences in photography
Saenz said she hopes to have another opportunity to host Owens at BYUH. Students who attended said Owens’ presentation was full of inspiring motivation, significant ideas and great advice on achieving one’s goals to become a photographer in the future.
“Mark is such a great photographer and speaker,” Saenz said. She continued, “He has generously done a few guest lectures for our students over the years and the students particularly love to hear from his personal experiences.”