BIOGRAPHY

Donna DeMari is an American born photographer who began her career in Milan, Italy.

Self- taught, she bought her first camera at the age of eighteen, after signing up for a photojournalism course in college.

Inspired by Sarah Moon, she took her first trip to Milan at the age of 19 , where she was introduced to Toscani, who encouraged her to shoot fashion. DeMari spent several more years in New York and then made a move to Europe.

She would then spend 15 years living between Paris, Milan and London.

DeMari began working for such prestigious magazines as Italian Vogue, French Marie Claire, British Elle, British Bride's, L'Officiel, Australian, German and British Vogue, among others. Other clients included Margaret Howell, Pepe Jeans, Laura Ashley, Macy's,
and more.
During these years, she traveled the globe working in such countries as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia, Bali, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Morocco, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and the UK.

She has photographed many well known persons , such as Kate Moss, Tyra Banks, Kylie Bax, Heidi Klum, Patrina Morris,Claire Forlani, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Helena Christenson.

Returning to New York, DeMari became the first woman to shoot the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition , shooting in Bali and Hong Kong in 1995 and Costa Rico in 1996. She was featured in the ABC television special "The Making of the Swimsuit Edition", and the focus of a special segment on VHI Fashion Television, which explored her views as a female fashion photographer.

In addition, DeMari has published four books of photographs. These include "Holy Personal", "Sparks", "Eros and Equus"( Willowcreek Press) and the most recent "Heartbeat for Horses"( Willowcreek Press).

She has been photographing horses for more than two decades, the result of a love affair with horses that began at the age of four.
Her horse photographs , once described by Aperture as haunting and ethereal, dually convey a sense of intimacy and power. Her horse photographs are represented by the Staley Wise Gallery in New York

An exhibition photographer, DeMari has held numerous shows within the country. These include, “Flying Mane” (horse photographs/ one woman show) in 1998, “The Horseshow” (one woman show) in1996, “That’s a Horse of a Different Color” (3 woman artists) in 1997,”The Berkshires” (National Audubon Society group show) in 1997 and “Horses” ( 2 man show) in 1999.

Having taken a sabbatical for several years to work on her horse photography and books, she has returned to shooting
fashion working for such clients as Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Natori and WWD Intimates, among others.

DeMari is represented by The Reach Photographics.