Mark Holcomb

Born in 1957 in Walnut Creek, California as Roger Mark Holcomb, Mr. Holcomb has experimented with Kodak Instamatic cameras and 8mm movie making.

-1971-1975: Staff Photographer at Las Lomas High School

-1977-1981: Photography/Theology Major at University of San Francisco/Academy of Art University–First place in USF wide art contest.

-1981-1983: Most formal education working in the studio or behind the camera was experienced via the conduit of traditional apprentice/master relationships. Hands on approaches in real world working situations. He began working in the studio of Jurgen Tapprich in Zurich, Switzerland in 1981. During this time he was introduced to studio craft at its highest level and the world of commercial photography. During this time he shot almost exclusively 35mm black and white film while on the streets of Zurich, and 4×5 or 8×10 transparency film in the studio. First experiences in E-6 dip and dunk processing as well as assisting with R&D on certain product literature from Sinar/Bron.

-1984-1988: Upon moving back to San Francisco he began working with photographers Richard Hixson and Larry Keenan almost exclusively between the years of 1984 and 1988. During this time he developed a mixed portfolio with abstract photography and product work and began freelance assignment work and brought his formal apprenticeship to an end.

-1986-1994: Mark Holcomb photography first opened in 1984 working out of rental studios in San Francisco. When the time was right the business moved to a 3rd street studio at 22nd in the old American Can Building and set up shop. During this time the business became a vendor for ad agencies in the San Francisco marketplace and created abstract photography as a private artistic expression as a sideline.

-1994-2008: (Sabbatical from commercial photography) He began a lengthy Sabbatical from the photography business in order to pursue academic pursuits, leading to a Baccalaureate degree in Philosophy from California State University, Hayward and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. After completing graduate studies he entered the field of counseling and still works as a crisis counselor today for CHW Medical Foundation and working at the Sacramento County Juvenile Hall providing crisis counseling and support to incarcerated youth.

-2008- Present: Returning from sabbatical he has integrated working as both an artist and counselor. The doors of Mark Holcomb Photography are open again. He is currently establishing an updated web presence and developing relationships with those in the Sacramento Metro arena. He is currently a new member of the Sacramento Art Directors and Artist Club as well as the Professional Fine Arts Network. Within months of the commitment to reopen, the studio was able to win two awards at the 2008 International Photography Awards for the image entitled Cave Painting. We also won an award for the image, The Field in the IPA of 2010. We are currently represented by the Appel Gallery and pursuing relationships with other galleries and exhibition venues in the Sacramento and Northern California Areas.