I am Mark Jordan, Orange County Photographer of About Mark Jordan Photography and Orange County Headshots. I’ve been creating award-winning portraits of people since 1981 in our main portrait studio in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Following is an excerpt from a bio by Kathryn Williams.
By Kathryn Williams, AGI
PROFESSIONAL
“The inspiring and imaginative portraits of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan, of Mark Jordan Photography, have expressed the essence of family life throughout America for over three decades. Whether you come across Mark Jordan Photography’s work on the walls and halls of homes and museums, or amid the pages of People Magazine, once you discover Mark Jordan’s striking, yet poetic portraits, you’ll want to return time and time again.
As a Master Photographer, a Master Craftsman, as well as a member of the American Society of Photographers, Mark Jordan is an internationally celebrated portrait photographer. Though Mark Jordan Photography is versatile among portrait studios by any standard, this Orange County Photographer has passion and virtuosity that is best illustrated in the spirited art of photographing people.
Along the way, Mark Jordan Photography has amassed an imposing trove of national and international photography awards. Mark Jordan’s award-winning portraits are distinguished by their superior craftsmanship, rich and vibrant tonalities, lifelike dimension and, most importantly, an astonishing display of authentic expressions. Mark Jordan Photography designs portraits that are alive, honest, and natural.
Mark Jordan Photography is one of a scattering of photography studios, worldwide, who have been inducted as a permanent exhibitor into the preeminent International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. Currently, Mark Jordan’s photographic reproduction of Georges Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” is on display in the IHOF Museum. Mark Jordan’s adaptation of the French Impressionist’s masterpiece is snuggled amiably between the photographic luminaries of Edward Steichen and the incomparable, Ansel Adams.
Coupled with being named Orange County Photographer of the Year, Mark Jordan Photography was awarded Professional Photographers of America’s highest honor, the Loan Collection Award. What makes Mark Jordan’s achievement all the more remarkable is that the award was bestowed upon him an astonishing eleven times – all in the span of four consecutive years. Mark then took an extended sabbatical to raise a family and focus singularly on his portrait studio.
Besides garnering honors from Professional Photographers of America, also recognizing Mark Jordan Photography’s advancements to the art of family portraits are such European organizations as Professional Photographers of Norway and Germany. Other respected establishments such as EPCOT Center (three-time honoree in the “The World’s Greatest Portrait Photographers” exhibit), Kodak, Fuji, and Winona International School of Photography, have also recognized the contribution of Mark Jordan Photography to the photographic arts.
Regardless of the innumerable awards that Mark Jordan Photography has collected, none of his accomplishments would matter to Mark Jordan, nor his loyal following were it not for the fact that every single photography award has come entirely from actual family portrait commissions. While it is standard practice for portrait photographers to devise special photographs solely for the penetrating eye of art critics, Mark Jordan owes his success wholly to the portrait photography crafted from the everyday portrait requests of his clients. As Mark tells us, “The success of Mark Jordan Photography began with simple portrait inquiries and flourishes today because of those who honor me with their trust.”
Mark Jordan Photography Bio: COMMERCIAL
Mark Jordan Photography Bio – designs headshots and photographic images for businesses and the arts. A few notable companies that have commissioned Mark Jordan Photography are:
.jpg "Mark Jordan Photography Bio")
Mark Jordan Photography Bio
Tiffany & Co.
Virgin
Oakley
Bijan
Toyota
Crevier Mini Cooper
California Angels
Boston Red Sox
Marriott Hotels
ClubCorp
AVCO Financial
Viacom
Pacific Mutual
Blockbuster
Watson Pharmaceuticals
Predictive Technologies
Bourns International
Gensler & Associates
Orange County Performing Arts Center
Actors and Productions of Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory Theater
Mark Jordan Photography Bio: MEMBER
– American Society of Photographers
– Professional Photographers of America
– Professional Photographers of Inland Empire
– International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum
Mark Jordan Photography Bio: BACKGROUND
Mark Jordan Photography’s Experience
Photographer – Owner of Mark Jordan Photography
January 1981 | Orange County, CA
Orange County, Hall of Fame, Master Craftsman Photographer, Mark Jordan, specializes in creating extraordinary Family Portraits. Whether you desire a studio portrait or a portrait on location (beach portrait, park portrait, home portrait), Mark Jordan has a passion for excellence and over 31 years of designing Award Winning portraits. A Mark Jordan Photography portrait is acclaimed for its timeless quality, the simplicity of design and meaningfulness to his client’s lifestyles – not to mention a meticulous attention to detail. Discover why thousands of Orange County families trust Mark Jordan Photography for their family, headshot, children and high school senior needs. Call today: 949-888-8071
Photographer – Owner of Orange County Family Portraits
January 1981 | Orange County, CA
Orange County Family Portrait is Orange County’s leading Professional Orange County Photography Studio specializing in creating extraordinary Family Portraits. Whether you desire a studio portrait or a portrait on location (beach portrait, park portrait, home portrait), Orange County Family Portrait has been designing Award Winning portraits of excellence for over 31 years. Orange County Family Portrait is a division of Mark Jordan Photography, acclaimed for timeless quality, the simplicity of design and meaningfulness to their client’s lifestyles – not to mention a meticulous attention to detail. Discover why thousands of Orange County families trust Orange County Family Portrait, Mark Jordan Photography, for their family, headshot, children and high school senior needs. Call today: 949-888-8071
Photographer – Owner of Orange County Headshots
January 1981 | Orange County, CA
Stand Out From the Crowd with Orange County Headshot, crafting powerful Headshots for Business and the Arts. Orange County Headshot is a branch of Mark Jordan Photography, specializing in extraordinary contemporary, traditional classic, and storytelling portraits of executives, business owners, artists, musicians, authors, scriptwriters, realtors, doctors, attorneys, and every business and artistic endeavor imaginable. Mark provides photography predominately to headshot lovers in the Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside, Inland Empire and Los Angeles County. Mark Jordan is also Orange County’s leading portrait photographer for Orange County Family Portraits, Orange County Beach Portrait, Orange County Children Portraits, Orange County Senior Portraits and Mark Jordan Photography. Call today: 949-888-8071
Photographer – Owner of Orange County Senior Portraits
January 1981 | Orange County, CA
Orange County Senior Portrait, a branch of Mark Jordan Photography, is Orange County’s leading Professional Orange County Photography Studio specializing in crafting extraordinary High School Senior Portraits. Orange County Senior Portrait designs senior portraits for high school seniors in Rancho Santa Margarita, Southern California, Riverside and San Diego Counties. Every high school senior portrait is photographed by Orange County photographer, Mark Jordan of Mark Jordan Photography. Mark Jordan is also Orange County’s leading portrait photographer for Orange County Family Portraits, Orange County Beach Portrait, Orange County Children Portraits, Orange County Headshot and Mark Jordan Photography. Call today: 949-888-8071
Photographer – Owner of Orange County Beach Portraits
January 1981 | Orange County, CA
Orange County Beach Portrait, a branch of Mark Jordan Photography in Orange County, CA, specializes in crafting extraordinary contemporary, traditional classic, and illustrative (storytelling) portraits of families at the beach. Mark Jordan Photography provides beach portrait photography predominately for portrait lovers in the Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside, Inland Empire and Los Angeles County. Mark Jordan, of Mark Jordan Photography, is also the leading Orange County Photographer for Orange County Family Portraits, Orange County Headshot, Orange County Children Portraits, Orange County Senior Portrait and Mark Jordan Photography. Call today: 949-888-8071
Photographer – Owner of Orange County Children Portraits
January 1981 | Orange County, CA
Orange County Children Portraits, a branch of Mark Jordan Photography in Orange County, CA, specializes in designing striking yet poetic portraits of children. Children portrait styles range from contemporary and traditional to classic and storytelling. Mark Jordan Photography offers photography predominately to portrait lovers in the Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside, Inland Empire and Los Angeles County. Mark Jordan, of Mark Jordan Photography, is also the leading Orange County Photographer for Orange County Family Portraits, Orange County Headshot, Orange County Beach Portrait, Orange County Senior Portrait, and Mark Jordan Photography. Call today: 949-888-8071
Designer – Photographer at Belly Art Photos
January 1978 | Orange County, CA
Orange County photographer, Mark Jordan, of Mark Jordan Photography in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, has specialized in the joy of creating Belly Art Photos for over 30 years. Mark Jordan Photography offers Belly Art Photography predominately to maternity portrait lovers in Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside, Inland Empire and Los Angeles Counties. Mark Jordan, of Mark Jordan Photography, is also the leading Orange County Photographer for Orange County Family Portraits, Orange County Headshot, Orange County Beach Portrait, Orange County Senior Portrait, Orange County Children Portraits and Mark Jordan Photography. Call today: 949-888-8071
Creator at Wordles®
November 1973 – Present | Orange County, CA
The Picture Game of Word Riddles. Word-le (wur dl), noun 1. The Picture Game of Word Riddles, Wordle® BRAND Puzzles, games and other fun by Mark Jordan Koeff. 2. the figurative representation of a word or phrase by an imaginative arrangement of words, pictures, and symbols that express that word or phrase. 3. the amalgamation of the word and riddle. Wordles are for all ages. They are designed for the amusement of both the young at heart and the maturing mind. Kids and puzzle-meisters love them for obvious reasons. They are challenging, stimulating, humorous and fun!
Teacher at Irvine Unified School District
September 1978 – June 1987 | Irvine, CA
Mark Jordan Photography began while Mark Jordan was teaching for Irvine Unified School District as a second-grade teacher. Mark Jordan married a vivacious, effervescent woman whom he met in 1985 while teaching fourth grade, also for Irvine Unified School District. Mark Jordan’s wife, Kari, was assigned to his classroom as a student teacher (it’s not a saucy as it sounds). They were married in 1989 and managed to create three independent children (now nearly grown). Kari is not only Mark Jordan’s wife but the Studio Manager of Mark Jordan Photography. Kari also serves as Mark Jordan Photography studio’s “master puppeteer” and is Mark Jordan’ right-hand woman at family portraits and children portraits.
Mark Jordan Photography Bio: Education
University of California, Irvine
1991 – 1993
Concentration: Graphic Design
Mark Jordan Photography Bio – Activities: Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan of Mark Jordan Photography, attended University of California, Irvine, taking post-graduate Graphic Design courses at the Irvine College campus.
California State University-San Bernardino
1974 – 1977
Bachelor of Arts
Concentration: Ceramics – English – Music – Liberal Studies
Mark Jordan Photography Bio – Activities: Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan of Mark Jordan Photography, was a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Mark Jordan’s Bachelor of Arts study is a multidisciplinary degree program designed for students whose needs or interests require a more broadly based liberal arts curriculum that is possible through existing disciplines. Mark Jordan, like most students pursuing this major, intended to become teachers in K-8 classrooms. The Liberal Studies major program provided all the subject matter content required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and which Mark Jordan Photography required to earn his Bachelor of Arts Degree. Mark Jordan’s Liberal Studies Integrated Track led to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies AND Multiple Subject Credential. It was designed for students like Mark Jordan who planned to become elementary, K-8, school teachers AND who wanted to save time (about 2 quarters or 27 units) by working on their credential along with their B.A. degree. The General baccalaureate degree program also prepared Mark Jordan Photography to enter the Multiple Subject (Elementary School) teaching credential, during Mark Jordan’s fifth year of post-graduate study in the College of Education.
Professional Photographers of America
1986 – 1989
Master of Photography (M.Photog.)
Concentration: Family Portraits
Mark Jordan Photography Bio – Activities: Mark Jordan Photography earned his Master of Photography degree in 1989 and was awarded to Mark Jordan Photography in celebration of Mark Jordan’s superior photographic competence. The Master of Photography degree is one of the highest recognitions that Professional Photographers of America can bestow upon a professional photographer and was awarded to Mark Jordan Photography through photographic competition, advanced education, and service to his profession. The Master of Photography degree positions the professional portrait photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, as an authority in the photography industry. Mark Jordan Photographer earned his Master of Photography by garnering at least 25 competitions merits through a variety of channels. These merits were earned by Mark Jordan Photography by: 1. Entering the PPA Annual International Judging and earning one merit for each of Mark Jordan Photography’s portraits accepted into the competition. 2. Earning an additional merit when Mark Jordan Photography’s entries were selected for the International Traveling Loan Collection. Loan Collections Awards are equivalent to motion picture’s Oscars. Mark Jordan Photography garnered 11 Loan Collection award in the four short years he entered the international competition. 3. Entering a PPA Approved Regional Affiliated Judging and score 80 or higher to earn a Seal of Approval. 4. Earning an additional merit when Mark Jordan Photography’s entry was selected to be on the cover of Professional Photographers Of American magazine. 5. Earning an additional merit when Mark Jordan Photography’s entry was selected to be on the cover of Winona International School of Professional Photography. 5. Earning an additional merit when the Loan Collection awarded entry of Mark Jordan Photography was also selected to be inducted on permanent exhibition in the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. Mark Jordan Photography’s recreation of Georges Seurat’s “La Grande Jatte” is on permanent display in the museum between Ansel Adams and Edward Steichen.
Professional Photographers of America
1991 – 1993
Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.)
Concentration: Portrait Photography
Mark Jordan Photography Bio – Activities: Mark Jordan Photography earned his Photographic Craftsman degree in 1995 and was awarded to Mark Jordan Photography in recognition of service to professional photographers as an orator, author, and mentor. The Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) is one of the highest recognitions that Professional Photographers of America can bestow upon a professional photographer and was awarded to Mark Jordan Photography for speaking, writing, and mentoring on photography. The Photographic Craftsman degree positions the professional portrait photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, as an authority in the photography industry. Mark Jordan Photographer earned his Photographic Craftsman by garnering at least 25 service merits. These merits were earned by Mark Jordan Photography for: 1. Lecturing at an affiliate convention or seminar (1-2 merits per program). 2. Giving a program at a PPA convention or conference (5 merits per program). 3. Serving as an instructor for a weeklong affiliate school (5 merits). 4. Hosting a Super Monday class as an instructor (2 merits). 5. Publishing an article in the Professional Photographer magazine or other PPA publications. 6. Photographic Competition – earning additional merits when winning in the portrait category.
California State University-San Bernardino
1977 – 1978
California Teaching Credential
Concentration: Education
Mark Jordan Photography Bio – Activities: The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes Mark Jordan of Mark Jordan Photography to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom, such as the classrooms in most elementary schools, in grades preschool, K–12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. In addition, Mark Jordan Photography’s Multiple Subject Teaching Credential allowed Mark Joran to serve in a core or team teaching setting. Mark Jordan satisfied all of the following requirements for his Lifetime Teaching Credential: 1. Completed a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university. 2. Satisfied the basic skills requirement. 3. Completed a multiple subject teacher preparation program including successful student teaching, and obtained a formal recommendation for the credential by the California college or university where the program was completed. 4. Verified subject matter competence by completing a Commission-approved elementary subject-matter program and obtained verification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an accredited program. 5. Passed the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment. 6. Satisfied the Developing English Language Skills, including the Reading requirement by completing a comprehensive reading instruction course that includes the following: the systematic study of phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding; literature, language and comprehension; and diagnostic and early intervention techniques. 7. Completed a course (two-semester units or three-quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university. 8. Completed foundational computer technology coursework that includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers in educational settings In additional, Mark Jordan was the only California college student chosen by California State Board of Education to design and implement his own education program for certification and was under the direct supervision of the Executive Director.
Mark Jordan Photography Bio: Interests & Activities
In no particular order of preference: Music – Art – Golf – Movies/Theater – Guitar/Bass – Ceramics – Baseball – Stained Glass – Travel – Wordle® Puzzles – Reading – Psychology – Politics – Tropics – Dining – Belly Art
Mark Jordan Master Craftsman Photographer American Society of Photographers International Photography Hall of Fame & Museum Orange County Photographer of the Year 3-Time Honoree -EPCOT’S World’s Greatest Photographers Exhibit
When looking for a professional Orange County Family Portraits photographer, or Orange County Headshots Photographer please call 949-888-8071 or complete our online request form.