Mary, an award-winning photographer for 40 years, author of 6 books, certified kundalini yoga instructor, humanitarian, and world traveler in 35 countries, has led programs at Apple, Stanford, Intel, University of Hawaii, and worldwide.
In the past 20 years I've solo traveled and lived in 35 countries on 4 continents.
I've photographed the Dalai Lama in India, twin baby elephants in Nepal, abandoned people in a home in Argentina, taught Buddhist nuns in Nepal how to do yoga, photographed saints, yoga masters, authors, made movies and photographs of a Buddhist temple where I lived in Thailand, taught English and a class "Salsa Dancing for Babies" in Colombia.
I traveled three times around the world by plane, train, boat, bus, motorbike and rickshaw thru the Himalayas, the Andes, Indonesia, Europe, and the Americas.
I’ve led programs at Stanford University, Apple Computer, Intel, University of Hawaii and my own private retreats.
Timeline
In I981 I moved to Palo Alto, California, the epicenter of Silicon Valley.
It was exciting to live down the street from Steve Jobs, meet geniuses every day, raise my family, and photograph start-up stars, angel investors, 725 weddings, families, babies, authors and in 2009 the Dalai Lama. See my photography galleries here.
Being in Palo Alto taught me to Dream Big and create a network that rocked.
My photography business flourished, I wrote my first book, and started doing yoga and meditation 25 years ago.
It changed my life. I lost 35 pounds, felt more energetic, and razor-honed my focus.
Speeding into 2009 I sold my belongings, and started a never ending world journey in 35 countries traveling solo and shooting, writing, and teaching for humanitarian foundations and leading my workshops in Asia, South America, Europe, and Central America.
A gift to myself was meditating with masters in Nepal, Thailand, and India, practicing how to stop worrying and live life. I'm continuing to learn how to do that.
They taught me to surrender and it worked. Being peaceful takes practice.
I used to live a life of cashmere, comfort, and buying stuff.
Now I value experiences, discovering the world, and helping people connect to their divine nature and how to have more fun in a no fun world.
The truth is, I was searching for my best life.
One day while living in Thailand I suddenly heard my heart pounding with visions of Hawaii, so I bought a one-way ticket to Honolulu from Bangkok and arrived with 3 pieces of luggage, not knowing a soul, on December 3, 2013.
I instantly fell in love with it.
I swam with wild dolphins, shot photographs for businesses and families and taught photography workshops.
But the Bay Area called me back in 2017 where it all started.
Here's what I can do for you:
I'll lead your company with a team building photography experience, or you might want to join me in San Francisco, shooting people, architecture, and street photos.
You also may want to join me on retreat in Sicily, Italy, Mexico, Hawaii, or California.