Mary Ellen Mark is an American photographer known for her photojournalism and portraits addressing social issues. She has a BFA in painting and art history and a masters in photojournalism. Mark began her career shooting production stills for films. She is known for her in-depth projects following subjects over long periods to document their lives and struggles with issues like homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Her black-and-white photos aim to evoke empathy in viewers by capturing raw emotions.