About Mark W. Jenkins
Reflecting back on my childhood, I have always had a camera since I was about 12 years old. Starting with point and shoot film cameras, my interest and enrollment in a photography class resulted in a high school graduation gift of a new 35mm SLR camera.
While the next several years found me mainly taking pictures of my first car and any airplane that crossed my path, I did occasionally try creative things with the camera. After moving on to a different car, I had the wonderful opportunity to contribute articles and photos to a small international car club. About the same time, I was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease. Stargardt’s is a genetic eye disorder that results in the loss of central vision. The slow loss of my vision didn’t dampen my desire to capture images. With my first video cameras, I entered what I call my “video era”. After almost 15 years of shooting mostly video, I began a transition back to still images and the digital age. After moving up to a DSLR in 2012, my passion for creative imagery was reignited. The idea to start a business was first born as something to do in retirement but as I captured more and more images it blossomed into the creation of Sunward Photography.
Even though I’m visually impaired, I find my “vision” to capture images hasn’t been diminished. I feel my vision comes from within and by seeing the world in a unique way, it reflects in what I create. I invite you to browse through the galleries to experience what I mean.
I hope this story inspires other low-vision photographers.
About the name Sunward
After considering many names, it was only appropriate to choose something related to a passion I’ve had since I could barely talk – aviation. As a child, I remember the local TV stations would sign on with a short film. Of course it had an airplane in it so I would be rivetted to the screen every time it came on. The film had music and a narrator reading a poem. The poem was High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. It continues to be a beloved poem to this day. It speaks of fulfilled dreams, achieving great heights and of always being able to reach higher – to reach sunward.