United States

www.markstaffphotography.com

They’ve enjoyed a lot of success, travelling “anywhere for weddings”.

All photos © Mark Staff Photography

Mark and Lisa Staff are husband and wife photographers. Mark was born in England, although he’s lived mostly in Canada. Canadian Lisa was a model in a previous life before becoming a photographer.

Lisa and Mark started their photography business in 1989 and were very successful in the commercial world with corporate clients like Microsoft, Sunlife, Perrier, Marriott, RIM and many more. They also enjoyed many fashion industry shoots. This style (mixed with journalistic photography) crossed over into weddings that both of them shot, working together or travelling separately to many locations.

The Staffs decided to streamline and simplify their business, and focus on upscale weddings. In May last year they moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, selling their 4,000 sq. ft Canadian studio and opting for a large home office in order to spend more time with their four children.

Besides their local South Carolina clientele they have wedding clients in New York, Atlanta, Boston and Miami, and they continue to be represented in Canada as well. Many of their affluent South Carolina clients marry on the islands off the coast, so they take their boat to the venue. Returning at night through shark infested waters can be “a little creepy”.

Mark’s had a few thrills as a commercial photographer as well: been briefly pinned by a cougar; had a wolf jump on his back; hung from cliffs horizontally for Subaru. He also covered George Bush’s recent visit to South Carolina. “I thrill at the big set up shoots when the police are directing traffic while I’m directing a crew of assistants, models and makeup people – and at the same time as entertaining the client, appeasing the art directors - and being creative…”

Both photographers shoot 100% digital, Canon 1Ds.

Mark rides Motocross, skateboards and enjoys off-roading in his Hummer with their two boys. Both Mark and Lisa wakeboard on the ocean rivers that run behind their home.

That’s the life.