Kurt Markus is an American photographer and filmmaker best known for his evocative portraits of American life. Born in 1959 in San Francisco, California, Markus grew up in a family of photographers and filmmakers. His father was a cinematographer and his mother was a still photographer.
Markus began his career as a photographer in the late 1970s, shooting for magazines such as Rolling Stone and National Geographic. He quickly developed a signature style that combined elements of documentary photography with fine art portraiture. His work often focused on the people and places of the American West, capturing the beauty and mystery of the landscape while exploring themes of identity, family, and community.
In addition to his photography, Markus has directed several feature films including "The Ballad of Little Jo" (1993) and "The Slaughter Rule" (2002). He has also published several books including "Kurt Markus: Photographs" (2001) and "Kurt Markus: Portraits" (2005).
Throughout his career, Markus has received numerous awards including the Lucie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Photography (2006), the Leica Medal of Excellence (2008), and the International Center for Photography Infinity Award for Art (2009). His work has been exhibited at galleries around the world including The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.