Profile: Mark and Cathy Pemberton Combine Their Passion For Travel And Photography

A passion for travel and a desire to connect with people fuels Mark and Cathy Pemberton’s passion for photography. The Martinez couple are immersed in the world of photography, and travel extensively, documenting their journeys through the lenses of their cameras with breathtaking shots.

“I got my addiction for travel from my parents,” said Cathy. “They traveled to Asia when I was young, and as my siblings and I grew up, they just traveled everywhere. My dad took tons of pictures. So I guess I got the idea from them.”

Mark has been shooting since 2000, but the couple both became serious about the profession in 2006.

“I began shooting digital in 2002,” Mark said. “It just offered a much better degree of control; you didn’t have to wait for a laboratory to return your shots.”

Cathy still works a day job in the financial field, while Mark is retired. But they both consider photography their avocation, and spend most of their free time pursuing it.

“It’s really more about exploring art and sharing that,” Mark said.

The couple focus on outdoor landscapes and wildlife. So far, they’ve traveled to the Sierras, Alaska, Death Valley, Manitoba, Iceland, the southwest, and Yellowstone. If things go well, Mark added, they will visit Africa in January.

Ten of their prints are presently on display in the County Administration Building, and there is another display currently up in Palo Alto. They just finished a show with other artists called the Garden Gallery, and Mark said he hopes to put on another such show in the near future.

“Photography is wonderful, fulfilling,” he said. “We get to see some great things and share that experience with others.”