Since starting in Black and White photography at the early age of 13, Mark has always made photography an important part of his life. He extensively traveled the world while serving in the United States Navy then moved on to working for Eastman Kodak in the early 1980's designing computer systems used to manufacture film and paper photography products. After retiring from Eastman Kodak in the mid 90’s, Mark Hilliard started taking nature photographs full time in the upstate area of New York.  In 1997 he moved to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina where he lived aboard a small boat. He spent this time exploring and photographing the waterways, islands and wildlife of the Low Country and he is now accepted as an advocate for environmental issues too which he speaks through his photography and essays.  Mark was married in 2003 and now lives in Pawleys Island with his wife Ellen. He still keeps and uses the boat for photographic trips up and down the waterways of North and South Carolina. Marks photography is widely published in many national and local papers and magazines.  When asked about his philosophy on nature photography he says:  “I tend to concentrate on the smaller, secret side of nature that most people overlook, a different view on the world that surrounds us each and every day.   I work in color but,  black and white has a special place in my heart and tends to show a different view  of things we pass by every day. I look at my photographs as portraits of nature rather than a picture and will spend hours with a single subject.” 

Mark has a rare spinal disease that severly limits his mobility, strength and endurance. Because of this he is not as active as other photographers in the capture of his images, but the limits imposed due to this disease promote a more clearly focused view and desire for perfection each and every time a photograph is taken!

Mark is currently serving on the board of directors for the Carolinas Nature Photographers Association, a highly active group of photographers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida dedicated to the art of nature photography and protection of our natural environment by  education through our art. He is also a member of NANPA, North American Nature Photographers Association, as well as several local groups and organizations in the Myrtle Beach area. If you go to the "HOME" page a list of the professional organizations that Mark belongs to is across the bottom of your screen.