Audrey Marie Portfolio | HeritageCraftPhotog

MARY (MARIE) JOHNSON

MARY (MARIE) JOHNSON CV click here...

ENGLISH / FRENCH / SWEDISH

Photography / Videography

Archiving

An Eye For Detail

Retouching & Editing

Promotional Training

Real Estate & Event Videos

Social Media Content Manager

Brand Marketing & Strategy

Campaign Development & Evaluation

Content Development & Management

Channel Growth

Excellent Writing & Language

EPos Till System

Design / Marketing / Sales

InDesign

Prototyping

Staging & Layout

Print & Web Designer

Microsoft Excel

Courses & Workshops

Property Management & Sales

In Flanders Field Museum

Ulster American Folk Park

KSTR Wildlife Sanctuary

Livestrong Foundation

Cure to Conquer Cancer

Heart & Stroke Foundation

Toronto Hospital for Sick Children

WW2 Veterans Association

Historic Interpretation

History / Travel / Skiing / Sailing

I hold 2 patents

U.S.Industrial Design for Protective Bicycle Cover

Patent date Issued Oct 26, 2010 US D626,060 S

Canadian Industrial Design for Protective Bicycle Cover

Patent date Issued Sep 1, 2010 #133977

Photographer & Videographer

Genealogy & History Researcher

Sales & Brand Marketing Specialist

Industrial Designer

Lover of history, antique photography, travel & sharing my passion for ancestry research.

I am an entrepreneur and inventor of a one-of-a-kind bicycle accessory, operated a business in the fastest growing fitness outlet of the cycling world, industrial designer and an international award winning photographer with works represented by National Geographic & Getty Images. My deeply ingrained and enriched cultural experiences as an Expat in several different countries including Belgium, France, Sweden, Denmark, Costa Rica, Kenya, U.S., Ireland, and now settled in the United Kingdom has become a tremendous asset in all that I do. My extensive travels to various events, living history festivals, hundreds of museums and historical locations, are contributing factors that lead me to pursue a career of historical importance, and where I can help educate others doing what I love!

I'm a respected and accomplished customer service professional connecting with clients globally for over 30 years. I have 20 years, successive roles in business management & ownership, operations, sales, social media marketing, brand marketing, marketing communications, agency leadership, advertising, media and experiential marketing.

I began my career in Ophthalmology, Operations of the Heidelberg Laser Retinal Tomograph, Eye Corp. in a private practice that included affiliated days at Toronto Sick Children's Hospital working with abused and abandoned children, before I became a full time entrepreneurial photographer, videographer, designer, inventor and travel vlogger.

Throughout the progression of my career, I have demonstrated my passion for building and upholding company brands, design development, operations, sales, import & export and photography & videography. I understand project objectives and deliverables and take full ownership for all aspects. I work proactively and inclusively, with all project team members and partners to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. I work tirelessly to over deliver and execute projects and campaigns on time and within or under budget.

Specialties: Business Leadership; Business and Brand Strategy; Business Consultant; Integrated Brand Marketer; Innovator and Entrepreneur; Strong Communicator; Advisor and Mentor; Creative Thinker!

Interests: Animal Activism, World War History, Genealogy, Hiking, Sailing, Swimming, Golfing & Heritage Crafts.

Mary on BBC Ulster Scots Radio - 30_01_2023, 12.37

00:00 / 04:02

Fund Raising , Volunteer, Collaborator & Contributor - 2007 - Present

In Flanders Field Museum, Ypres Belgium 2022 - 2023
WW2 Veterans D-Day Anniversary, Normandy France 2016
Ulster American Folk Park, Northern Ireland 2019-2020
Kids Saving The Rainforest, Costa Rica 2013-2014
Livestrong Foundation, Texas US 2007-2009
Cure to Conquer Cancer, Toronto Canada 2010-2012
Heart and Stroke (Polo For Heart) Ontario Canada 1990-1995 https://www.poloforheart.org
Toronto Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto Canada 1996

Mary Johnson Photography 1990-Present

Graduated from The University of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute: Photography & Marketing Management & Archiving.
Algonquin College: Photo Journalism, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
I opened my first portrait studio "The Little People Photo Company" soon adding a secondary division the Model & Talent Agency "Top Kids". My most recognised works were
B & W child and family portraits, commercial, billboard, models commercial and feature shots for TV and film. I excelled in the Darkroom where I developed and hand printed all my own works from 1985-1995. Past clients include National Geographic, Getty Images, Procter & Gamble, Pampers and Huggies Diapers, McDonalds, International Real Estate Agencies such as The Team Haverkate in Palm Springs California, ENGEL & VOELKERS Uruguay, Windermere Homes Oakville Canada. My Freelancing works included news outlets, The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Sun, Toronto Real Estate Magazine, MI Developments Inc., and Brand Driven Media.

MASTERING THE ART OF ANTIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY
Heritage Craft Photography, 2022 - Present
I am sharing an old time photography art form, taking photos with vintage & antique cameras, in period museum pieces, on vintage sets and in historical locations as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone. Following a tradecraft once used by my grand and great-grandparents, I am combining 25+ years experience in design, staging, photography, darkroom printing and miniature painting alongside a passion for historic interpretation...hoping to inspire others along the way with an interactive presentation that seeks to give the observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. The past-time, is the new time!

Mary Johnson Videography 2008-Present

Freelancing Video Development / Blogging /
Youtube / Photography & Computer Graphics
• Mid-century developments, architecture and neighbourhoods for Haverkate Real Estate agent, Palm Desert, California
• Health, wellness and fitness video and editing for P90X and Beachbody Representatives. U.S.
•. The Path Of Our Ancestors - 2016 D-Day Normandy France https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnwDNkOW6Oc&t=13s

WW1 & WW2 Researcher 2012 - Present

I began Genealogy research back in 1982 in a small building in downtown Toronto Canada. It has always been a passion of mine but my search became much more serious after I came across an old WW1 trunk of my grandfathers in my parents basement in 2012. This was the beginning of a journey that has been like a treasure hunt, one clue leading me to another clue and various parts of the globe. In Flanders Field Museum being one of them - Volunteer work in researching ancestors in war and photo genealogy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rnxdypdea7mhd3f/Frederick%20William%20Doran%20in%20Flanders%20Museum.mov?dl=0

Website Design, Photographer & Media Content Manager / Sales 2008 - Present

Robinson Goldsmiths - 2018- 2021 Bangor, N.I. Daily use working a connect EPos till System, online stock, website and e-commerce management, multi channel retail system editing using CMS. and SEO enhance migrating. Product photographer and videographer for RG's website and social media outlets of various designers, Robinson Goldsmiths designs and high end commission jobs. Connecting sale channels through Facebook and Instagram. Market research. Business advisor. Digital marketing content & maintenance, customer and community manager. Servicing and repairs representative, intake, and assessing jewellery repairs and buying customers gold for scrap. Demonstrated winning social customer service techniques, generating high end jewellery sales, up to £4500 per item.

Relic Hunter Jack - 2022 - Present https://www.relichunterjack.com

Sales Management & Marketing, SAMINA NORTH AMERICA, Toronto Canada 1996-2003
•. Store Manager responsible for Sales, Inventory, Customer Service, Ordering Products, Scheduling Client Deliveries, Managing Staff, Sales Reports. Regional Manager responsible for Sales & Marketing bringing the product from Canada into the USA. Dealing with potential Wholesale Clients, Product Training. Marketing. Customer Sales and building customer relationships.

BIKE PONCHO INC. - Aug 2008 - 2019 / Los Angeles US & Toronto Canada

Industrial Designer / Inventor / Patent Owner & Entrepreneur
•. Product Research, Created, Developed and Patented a one-of-a-kind Cycling Accessory Product. Coordinated overseas product evolution. Designed Web Site. Marketing & Media. Managing Sales Teams Internationally, Shipping and Receiving, Customer Service, Human Relations & Ongoing Product Evolution. Bike Poncho has a following of over 8000+ travelling cyclists worldwide!
Marketing & media, managing International sales teams, Controlling worldwide shipping and receiving, and importing & exporting. Product & market research. Combining my design, business expertise and engineering skills to further develop bike accessory products in partnership with British Formula1 race designer Richard McAinsh.

Photography/Technician, Ophthalmology - Jan 1994 - Sept 1998 - Canada

Ophthalmic Medical Personnel/Photography/Technician, Ophthalmology; Toronto Canada 1994-1996
Operation of Heidelberg Laser Retinal Tomograph, Eye Corp. Regular duties of an Ophthalmic assistant including taking V.A. testing, ultra sounds, assisting in contact lens fittings, pre and post operative assistant, I.O.P. testing visual field, occasional secretarial duties.

Toronto Sick Children's Hospital / Dr Michael Henry Private Practice -Operation of Heidelberg Laser Retinal Tomograph, Eye Corp. Regular duties of an Ophthalmic assistant including taking V.A. testing, ultra sounds, assisting in contact lens fittings, pre and post operative assistant, I.O.P. testing visual field, occasional secretarial duties & office management of a high volume practice and fast pace environment. Working with patients between New Born and 108 years.

Genealogy travel searching for ancestors stories.

The Path of Our Ancestors ~ 2012 - Present

􏰠􏰐􏰔The Paths of Our Ancestors, puts a twist on travel by following the actual paths of my ancestors, connecting historical places and events to family, exploring their culture and traditions, learning their stories of courage and strength, honouring and preserving their memory, hopefully inspiring others to do the same. My goal connecting the path of our ancestors to beautiful travel destinations, historical places and events, culture and old world foods. I hope to link up with others and share how fun history can be, learning about our ancestors, and to become more aware of the importance of connecting ourselves with family. My mission is to encourage others to honour our ancestors by preserving traditions and knowledge, reflecting on their experiences and how far they travelled for a better life. I think it is important to learn how their lives and their deaths impacted how we came to be, and to be inspired to make something great of our lives!

With a passion for world history, research and since receiving results from DNA testing it only made sense to redirect my travel destinations to focus on historical and ancestral related locations.

Having been an expat for close to 20 years, living and travelling to various places throughout North America, Central America and Europe. I enjoy exploring, pretty little villages with cobblestone streets, abandoned buildings, chateaux and battlefields in search of buried relics with my son Jack. The different cultures, world foods and testing my skills at speaking different languages of our ancestors is a key ingredient to fulfilling my inquisitive mind to always learn something new. Researching and building my family tree, making a connection between beautiful travel destinations, historical places and events to my ancestors, their paths and life stories, has become an incredible journey of self discovery! Learning of their courage and strengths, what they had to overcome, makes me feel incredible proud of where I come from.

My deeply ingrained and enriched cultural experiences as an Expat in several different countries including France, Sweden, Denmark, Costa Rica, Kenya, U.S., and Ireland, a background with extensive travel on various budgets, operated a business in the fastest growing fitness outlet of the cycling world, shareholder to exclusive ski & fitness and golf clubs in Canada, participating in organizing and executing fund raisers and campaigns for non profits such as Polo for Heart, Livestrong and Cure to Conquer Cancer in North America, are just a few areas in which my expertise, I feel qualifies me for an advance in a successful outcome for this position.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
― Mark Twain

Living History and Educating 2019 - Present

Loving history as I do, and learning about how my ancestors lived, where they came from, their traditions and culture, has ultimately influenced me. They have been and continue to be an invaluable resource of inspiration to inspire others to learn how rewarding and fun history can be!

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Testimonials

~ Jennifer, Rosemary and Eric Robinson- Robinson Goldsmith's Bangor, N.I.

We were lucky when Marie fell into our lap, and timing could not have been more perfect to help us with our 25 year family business that was needing some restructuring to accommodate NI unpredictable market. She is an exceptional international professional with a wide range of unique skills, from photography, web design, e-commerce EPos till system knowledge, social media savy, and most of all an international brand marketing expert. She is reliable, always happy with a positive attitude, never saying can't! We continue to use Marie's services ongoing. Her stunning photography on our website has been a massive contribution to our in store and online sales. Her global business sense and advice has been invaluable. We trust Marie immensely and recommend her work without hesitation!

~ Ralph Haverkate- Uruguay Real Estate

I have developed a great partnership with Marie on several projects that required the use of her many talents in design, photography, brand marketing, videography and global real estate expertise. Her professionalism, understanding many industries, good communication, tireless dedication and attention to detail is evident in the final products. I highly recommend this professional to work with!

~ Bettina Waldroff - Owner & Director of Samina North America

Marie has a seamless reputation for being very professional and a pleasure to work with. She alters her hours of operation for overseas clients, making the job from start to finish very accommodating. Her expertise as a visionary, combined with her technical skills, a wonderful attitude, good communication and bringing the project in before deadline, is to be commended. Without reservations, her drive and abilities will truly be an asset to any start up or organisation.

MARY (MARIE) JOHNSON

Testimonials

~ Jennifer, Rosemary and Eric Robinson- Robinson Goldsmith's Bangor, N.I.

~ Ralph Haverkate- Uruguay Real Estate

~ Bettina Waldroff - Owner & Director of Samina North America

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