Welcome to my website! I hate talking about myself but since this is supposed to be my "bio" spot, I'm just going to blurt it all out and get it over with. Here goes:

I bought my first camera in 1981 so that I could take baby pictures of my first born child. (for the record...a Pentax K1000 is indestructible) I took a basic darkroom class in 1982 and fell in love with black and white. Begged for a job in the photo department of the Palm Beach Post in 1984 and was given the gift of a lab tech position even though I had no idea what I was really doing. (thank you, Ken Steinhoff) I worked there for 2 years and was blessed to work with a few very talented and generous photographers who let me go out on assignments with them and answered every question I could throw their way. I built up a portfolio and in March, 1986 took a photographers job at the Macon Telegraph. (thanks to Danny Gilleland for taking a chance on me) I worked there for 8 years. I met a lot of wonderful people, took a lot of pictures, traveled, won a drawer full of Georgia Press and Associated Press Awards, got nominated for a Pulitzer, didn't spend near enough time with my family and completely burned myself out. So, I walked away from photography in 1995 and started teaching Art at Montessori of Macon. (again, I had no idea what I was doing!) I finally figured that out and taught for several years and and then in 2004, I was working as an artist on the renovation of St. Joseph's Catholic Church (thanks to Tony Long) when I came face to face with the stained glass window of St. Ursula. The light was shining through her and the colors just came alive. I just couldn't bear not being able to take a picture. I borrowed a camera from my oldest son (who I had originally bought my first camera to take photos of) and started shooting again. About two months later, I had a stack of photographs of the renovation and my dear friends, Jodi and James Palmer, asked if I'd be willing to let them run them in Macon Magazine. I jumped at the chance and have been shooting for them at Macon Magazine ever since. (Love you, J and J) I can honestly say that I'm having more fun with a camera now than I have ever had in the past twenty-something years. I don't have everyday epiphanies with stained glass windows, but I'm fortunate to be able to work with good friends and every day is an adventure. How cool is that?!

I've been married to my handsome (and long-suffering) husband, Larry, for 29 years and we have four beautiful, talented, loving (and sometimes quirky) children, Ryan, Rachel, Jacob and Logan and one adorable and very cute grandson, Max. Life is good.


I hope you enjoy looking through the photographs. Please feel free to leave comments or email me with questions. (maryannbates@gmail.com)
If you made it this far...thanks for putting up with my bio rambles!
All the best,
Maryann Bates