Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson is a documentary photographer raising awareness of the Holocaust. He interviews the victims to get a better understanding from someone who experienced it first-hand. Wilson believes that the most important person is the person who’s story you are telling and the most important subject in a photograph is the story being told. He is motivated by the idea of positively changing at least one person’s life and never forces anyone to discuss anything they aren’t comfortable sharing.

Mark alternates between a digital 35mm and medium format camera, taking as fewer images as possible to consciously focus on composition. He then scans his prints and retouches them digitally. However, he includes text within his books to draw focus to the stories rather than the photos themselves. His books introduce the victims and the locations they discuss in their recount that he visits.

Wilson completed a sociology degree but realised he enjoyed capturing photos instead. He transferred to a university in Edinburgh and then transferred again to London finally to study photography where he worked as a photography assistant. This work experience made him come to the conclusion that he didn’t want to become a commercial photographer as he didn’t find any accomplishment. On the other hand, commercial work helped him gather enough income to fund his personal documentary work and build connections.