Editorial writing
Features, profiles and essays for magazines and journals in the UK and abroad.
Cover story Mary Ellis, writer and photographer
Stories worth keeping. Words and pictures from London.
Mary Ellis writes and photographs long-form stories about people who make things, for magazines, brands and books.
Start a commission
Booking from January. Replies within two days.
Selected work
Features, books and long walks.
Magazine feature
Wet Clay
Six weeks in four East London pottery studios, from the first lump of wet clay to the morning the kiln opens. Words and photographs.
Read the story- 42days at the wheel
- 4studios, one street
- 18pages in print
Photo book
Salt & Stone
A small book on the salt marshes of the Essex coast: the workers, the weather and the white crust they rake by hand every summer.
See the book
Personal series
Open Studio
One pottery studio, one year, photographed from the same corner every Sunday morning before the wheels start.
View the seriesStories worth keeping.
How I work
From first call
to final print.
- 01
Listen
We talk about the story, the people in it and where it will live: in print, online or both.
- 02
Research
I read, visit and ask around before the camera comes out, so the first day on site isn’t spent guessing.
- 03
Shoot and write
I work quietly and spend real time with people. Most stories need a few visits, not one long day.
- 04
Edit together
You get a first selection and a draft within two weeks. We cut, swap and polish until it reads right.
- 05
Deliver
Final text, captioned photographs and print-ready files, with the usage rights spelled out in writing.
Services
Everything a story needs before it goes to print.
Photography
Portraits, interiors and reportage, in natural light wherever the room allows it.
Books and long-form
Photo books and brand stories, from the first outline to the files you send to the printer.
Every commission includes
- Research visit
- Two rounds of edits
- Captions and credits
- Print-ready files
- Written usage rights
- Travel across the UK
FAQ
Questions people ask.
Do you travel for work?
Yes. I’m based in London and work across the UK and Europe. Travel costs are quoted up front, never added later.
How far ahead should I book?
Four to six weeks is ideal for a feature. Books are usually planned a few months ahead.
Can you write and photograph the same story?
Yes, and it’s my favourite way to work. One person, one voice, and fewer people in the room.
Who owns the photographs?
I keep the copyright and license the images to you for the uses we agree on. Wider rights are always possible.
What happens on a first call?
We talk for twenty minutes about the story and the timing. You’ll get a short written proposal the same week.
About
Hello, I’m Mary.
I grew up in York, studied literature, and picked up a camera to remember the people I was interviewing. I’ve lived in London for twelve years.
Most of my work is about craft: bakers, potters, printers and winemakers. I like slow stories, long lunches and negatives I can hold up to the light.
- Based inLondon, UK
- LanguagesEnglish, French
- FocusEditorial, portraits, books
Contact
Have a story in mind?
Let’s put it on paper.
Tell me who it’s about and where it will run. I’ll reply within two days with a few ideas and a rough timeline.
- Emailmary.ellis@example.com
- Phone+44 20 7946 0417
- Instagram@mary.ellis (opens in a new tab)