Born in 1969, Mary McCartney's interest in photography began during her childhood, when her mother, the photographer Linda McCartney, never went anywhere without her camera on her shoulder. Mary's interest developed from there and she became a professional photographer twelve years ago.
Since then, Mary has become a renowned portrait and fashion photographer in her own right. Her portrait subjects have included musicians from Blondie to Snow Patrol, artists from Peter Blake to Sam Taylor-Wood and actors such as Liam Neeson, Jude Law and Helen Mirren.
She is a regular contributor to Interview Magazine and Harpers Bazaar and recent advertising commissions have included clients such as Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Stella McCartney and Adidas.
Mary McCartney had her first solo exhibition in October 2004 at the Royal Opera House in London. Off Pointe - A Photographic Study of The Royal Ballet After Hours, a series of black & white photographs revealing an unseen aspect of the world of ballet captured through the eyes of a curious spectator. The resulting images reflect not only the glamour, but also the real lives of the dancers involved. Turning away from the classic images of ballet rehearsals and performances, the photographs dispel many a myth about the life of the dancers and show that the dancers work hard, but play hard too.
Mary was a contributing photographer to Strength and Beauty Embodied by Avant-Garde Women a photographic exhibition celebrating women worldwide. Her bold images of Tilda Swinton were shown as part of the exhibition both in New York City and the Royal College of Art in London February 2007.
Mary McCartney's latest project, Playing Dress Up will be included in her show at the GOSS Gallery in Dallas and represents Mary's first major exhibition in the US. Constantly looking for an original perspective, Mary's work comprises a collection of iconic black and white prints and chronicles a unique view, both on the catwalk and backstage, of the rarified world of high fashion. Also, to be included in the GOSS show will be a selection of the Off Pointe photographs and her colour portraits of Kate Moss.