Having studied photography on both ends of the spectrum, Mallory combines her story telling abilities and technical skill to create underwater images that are dynamic and intriguing.

For the past few years, she has been focusing mainly on underwater fashion in pools, but also shoots “on land” fashion. Mallory travels to New York, Paris, and Milan to shoot fashion but usually likes to keep things based in Los Angeles where she can be underwater.

Mallory has worked with magazines to create a fresh new twist for their latest editorial; she also has shot CD covers and directed a music video and continues to work on personal conceptual work for galleries. Her work has been seen in such magazines as Live OC Magazine, The Stylist Handbook, DEEP Surf, After Capture, Digital Photo Pro, and PDN. An accomplishment that Mallory is very excited about is that currently one of her underwater pieces is now part of the set on the TNT show Rizzoli and Isles. The 4-foot-by-4-foot piece hangs in the house of character Maura Isles.

In recent months, Mallory has been keeping very busy. She is working with a fellow Brooks alum, Shiloh Strong, co-directing a music video for singer/songwriter, Lucy Schwartz. The underwater shoot is in its final editing stages to be released in September. Mallory was also featured in the online TV show, Framed. The show features one photographer with a special niche each episode and goes behind the scenes of a shoot. Stills from the episode are now published in the August issue of Live OC Magazine.

Mallory has also become a contributor to The Stylist Handbook Magazine, where collaborates with editors and other contributors. You can see a behind the scenes video of a shoot Mallory worked on at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOnz-kWAa0I. Her next project will be a job for Hinano Tahiti clothing company out of Huntington Beach doing underwater shoots for their spring 2012 catalog.

Mallory discovered underwater shooting at Brooks after her first year. Her second and third years were spent experimenting and shooting as much as possible. She took what she learned about shooting people—lighting, posing, production, Photoshop skills, wardrobe, makeup, and model choices—and took everything into another environment.

Without such a strong technical background, Mallory would have drowned - literally. With the support of her instructors and classmates, and having access to the old Montecito campus pool to experiment, she was able to leave Brooks with a packaged niche portfolio ready to hit the ground running. A big part Mallory’s success has been having people believe in her and help her refine her craft. Her instructors' doors were always open to help keep pushing her further and she is very grateful for the life changing experience of Brooks.

Looking toward the future, Mallory is marketing herself to advertising agencies and graphic design, firms as well as interior designers. She is looking to expand her water work by moving more into the fine art world. Mallory currently has a fine art gallery show up at a design studio in Venice. She would like to work with interior designers to supply art for homes, hotels, and commercial spaces, allowing her to have more creative freedom when shooting.

Mallory shares this advice for current students: “Each assignment is a challenge, a blank slate, and a dare. Dare to do something hard. Always keep looking at work that amazes you and set your bar there. I wouldn’t base your level of quality on the other students around you; your quality level should strive to be like a working professional. Get as much information from your instructors- that is what they are there for. If you are merely an observer rather than a participant in class, you won’t get what you should from the class. The real world is tough and very competitive - so be one that survives. By putting in the time in school, you can get a head start on the real world.”

www.mallorymorrison.net

Date recorded: Aug 10, 2011