Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Mark Makela

Boulder,CO

Summary

Experienced photojournalist with 17+ years of creating impactful visual stories for editorial, documentary, and institutional platforms. Proven track record of delivering top-quality photo and video content for leading outlets like The New York Times, Getty Images and Reuters, as well as 2 years as a university photographer contributing to higher education marketing. Skilled in managing multiple projects, developing visual branding, and crafting engaging multimedia assets for digital, print, and social media. Recognized for teamwork, adaptability, and meeting tight deadlines. Trusted for producing high-quality images with strong technical skills and attention to detail.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Photojournalist

Freelance
01.2008 - Current
  • - Covered breaking news, enterprise stories, long term photoessays, and cultural events for global news organizations including Getty Images, The New York Times, The Guardian, Reuters, and The Washington Post.
  • - Produced multimedia packages including video, motion graphics, and audio slideshows for editorial and social-first platforms.
  • - Coordinated closely with writers, editors, and producers to tell visually compelling, narrative-driven stories.
  • - Delivered consistent, brand-aligned visual storytelling under fast-paced, deadline-sensitive conditions.
  • - Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro), Final Cut Pro, Photo Mechanic, and camera systems for both photo and video production.
  • - Managed a comprehensive archive of visual assets with organized metadata and rapid retrieval protocols.
  • - Experienced with video editing for social media and cross-functional creative collaboration.

University Photographer

DeMontfort University
01.2010 - 01.2012
  • - Conceptualized, captured, and edited photo and video content for university marketing, enrollment, and internal communications.
  • - Developed and maintained a consistent and recognizable visual identity across all creative assets.
  • - Covered campus life, faculty profiles, student features, and events to support recruitment and alumni engagement.
  • - Managed university headshot sessions and delivered professional portraits for leadership, faculty, and staff.
  • - Oversaw digital asset management, organizing the university’s photo library for internal use and external campaigns.
  • - Produced content for print publications, website stories, and social media channels, working in close collaboration with the creative, editorial, and communications teams.
  • - Ensured timely delivery of high-quality imagery under tight deadlines while balancing multiple concurrent projects.

Education

MA - Photojournalism and Documentary Photography

London College of Communication
London, England
01-2008

MS - Education – Intercultural Communication (Photography Concentration)

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
06-2006

BA - Art and English

Bates College
Lewiston, ME
06-2001

Skills

  • Photography expertise
  • Visual storytelling
  • Image editing
  • Video capture
  • Visual content editing expertise
  • Digital marketing
  • Creative artistic vision
  • Critical Thinking
  • Lighting techniques
  • Digital asset management
  • Deadline driven
  • Problem-solving

Awards

- Exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery Photographic Portrait Prize - Recognized by NPPA, PDN Photo Annual, British Journal of Photography, Foto8, and National Union of Journalists - Eagle Scout

Timeline

University Photographer

DeMontfort University
01.2010 - 01.2012

Photojournalist

Freelance
01.2008 - Current

MA - Photojournalism and Documentary Photography

London College of Communication

MS - Education – Intercultural Communication (Photography Concentration)

University of Pennsylvania

BA - Art and English

Bates College

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