From early childhood, Mark Brandes was a boy who was visually fascinated by the world around him... His eventual education at the prestigious Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara and ten years of commercial shooting gave Brandes an extensive understanding of lighting, composition and storytelling.
In the late 1980's, Brandes fell in love with renaissance portraiture. He began to create portraits simply for the challenge, and quickly found that few other artists shared his confidence, or his expertise. Brandes soon found himself catapulted into the national arena, receiving invitations to lecture internationally.
By 1995, Brandes was inducted into the elite 40-member Camera-craftsmen of America, a worldwide fellowship of renown camera artists. In 1999 he relocated to more spacious studios. Prominent clients started to seek him out, some coming from across the United States for their commissions. His images have been published in a number of books, and are often emulated by his many followers. In 2004, Studio 101 was created by Adam George for the growing demand for unique high school senior portraits.
In 2006, Brandes was accepted into the International Society of Portrait Artists, ISOFPA.com, and in 2007 he opened a second gallery in Costa Mesa, California. Today, Brandes leads the vision of both studios. Brandes portraits have been purchased by famous filmmakers, fellow artists, and those who simply appreciate his quiet nature and beautiful work. His portraits are displayed at the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, the International Photography Museum in Nova Scotia, and in some of the most luxurious homes in the United States.
Brandes feels in many ways that he lives a charmed life. While still enjoying his art work, he is passionate about loving God and loving others. This vision has brought him opportunities to serve Christmas dinner to deaf Mexican children, to collaborate on Sacredink.net and to travel once again to distant lands, this time to bring the hope of God's love to hurting people.
