Mona Makela

Mona Makela has expressed her passion for art all her life. Her art education began early in Helsinki, Finland where she attended the Waldorf School, an alternative education focused on the development of individual creativity, which profoundly influenced her. Mona was fascinated with her first camera at the age of six. From 1986-1990 she assisted in a professional photography studio. Mona has also vigorously expressed her talents in the visual arts through oil painting, fiber art and jewelry. Her work in these mediums has strengthened her understanding of light, composition, texture and detail.

Before establishing her presence as a full-time artist Mona worked first as a research assistant at the Finnish Meteorological Institute and later as an assistant meteorologist. After her move to the United States in 1990 she worked as a field technician for an environmental engineering company. In 1984 she acquired sailplane pilot's license and two years later a license for single engine airplanes.

Since 2005 she has dedicated herself to photography full time. Out of 26,000 entries, her photo, “Morning Greeting,” was a finalist in the Smithsonian Magazine's second annual photo contest. Her photograph of John Suazo's sculpture was selected as the cover feature for Mr. Suazo's 30 year retrospective at the Harwood Museum of Art in New Mexico, and her photo of the Newspaper Rock in Canyonlands, Utah has passed through the hands of President Obama in the Federal Executive Order Report to the President.

Casting her eye on a grand arena of subjects and shooting for perfection, her images have been widely published in magazines, journals and books where they have illustrated articles and been utilized for advertisement. Publications include US News and World Report, Women's Health Today, Organic Lifestyle Magazine, Publication by The US Immigration and Naturalization Office, New Mexico Magazine, Taos News, Fashion (book), Home and Garden Magazine, Wild Weather (book), The Independent (British daily newspaper), Eucalyptus Magazine, Publication by The Royal Society of Chemistry, ABC News in Science, Mother Earth News, Revealing Invisible Truths in America's Soul (book), Publication by Martha Stewart Omni Media, USA Today, Publication by Capital One Bank, PBS Nova and Research EU by European Commission. Chasing the light to capture ideal landscape photos, Mona's tireless dedication has rewarded her with brilliant images, which she also sells as prints and postcards at galleries and shops in Taos, New Mexico.

Top quality equipment is important to Mona’s work. Shooting with a Canon 5D Mark II and working on MacIntosh platform, she strives for perfection, producing photos that remain technically sound when viewed full size. She seeks to bring forth beauty in her subjects and by freezing a moment in time and space intends to reveal the details we may otherwise miss. Mona's favorite subjects include people, the natural environment and organic foods and products. She has a special interest in applying humor and surprise to advertising.

Mona’s versatility as a photographer makes her work applicable to both personal and commercial projects. If you need an outstanding image of a product you wish to sell, striking pictures for your acting or modeling portfolio, pictures for a book you wish to publish or photos to advertise your business or sell your house, Mona will be glad to talk with you about your individual project. You may contact Mona by phone, 575-751-9313, or e-mail monamakela@.