MARK BRAUN

Mark Braun’s interest in photography began as a teenager, when his parents gave him his first single-lens reflex camera. He honed his technical and artistic skills on yearbooks, college projects, freelance newspaper work, and product photography. He then put his cameras away for 20 years to pursue a business career, until a trip to Yellowstone National Park in 2000 reawakened his passion for photography.

Mark’s interests include nature photography, producing detailed images of flowers, trees, and mushrooms. He’s also drawn to landscape photography, particularly of the Rocky Mountains, waterscapes, and architecture.

A transplant to St. Louis from his hometown of Cleveland, Mark served on the task force that brought the International Photography Hall of Fame to St. Louis and is currently on the organization’s induction committee. He is also a member of the Kirkwood Arts Commission, the Kirkwood Arts Foundation, the fundraising arm for arts. He has also held multiple leadership roles for the St. Louis Camera Club.

His own photographs have been displayed in such St. Louis venues as the Foundry Art Centre, the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, the 20:08 Gallery, Remington’s, the Sheldon, and One Metropolitan Square. His stock photos are available from Getty Images, 500PX, and others.  He has earned recognition in several international competitions and attended the Maine Photography Workshops. His photographs, cards, and other works can be seen at www.braunsOriginals.com.

Mark was a sales executive and regional manager with Otis Elevator Company for 30 years.  He recently retired from VDA, a consulting firm specializing in elevators.    Mark holds an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies concentrating in international business from Miami University in Ohio and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University.