Austin Tx photographer Mary Beth Greenwood
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Mary Beth Greenwood, Fashion Photographer, Dies at 56 Mary Beth
Greenwood, who launched her photography career in the late 1970s by
documenting notable musicians, passed away in her Austin home on
Sunday, August 7, 2011. She is survived by her beloved husband, Dr.
John Durfor; mother, Marian Greenwood; brother, Chuck Greenwood;
sisters, Gayle Perdue and Annie Greenwood; nephew, Gabriel Perdue;
godson, Trenton Colluro and her chihuahuas, Romeo and Isabella. Mary
Beth's photography career spanned more than three decades. While known
for capturing revered recording artists in the 1970s and 80s - from
Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons to Eric Johnson and Joe
Ely - she also paved the way for countless young models and actors, by
creating compelling portfolios and providing them with business advice
and coveted industry contacts. Her photography studio is filled with
photos of young talent signed with major national agencies and
featured in high-end magazines, films, television shows and
commercials. Mary Beth also took pride in mentoring young photography
interns and assistants over the years, most notably Jason Reeves, Jen
Gallo and Natalie Mechell. Mary Beth was born into a family with a
great appreciation for the arts, on March 2, 1955. Her mother
performed in an aqua ballet show that entertained homeward-bound
soldiers during World War II, and her father was a jazz saxophone
player whose band opened shows for such legends as Ella Fitzgerald,
Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. He was also an award-winning
amateur photographer. The youngest of four children, Mary Beth studied
pre-med on a scholarship at the University of Texas and excelled in
science. She even had the honor to work with acclaimed astronomer
Gérard Henri de Vaucouleurs for three years. However, when her
creative side took hold, she changed her major and graduated from the
University of Texas School of Journalism, with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Photojournalism. She also studied photography at Colorado
Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. She was in high school
when she first became enamored with photography, as well as with
renowned guitarist Eric Johnson. That 12-year relationship resulted in
"thousands of photos," many featured on the covers of Guitar Player
and used as promotional shots for Marshall Amplifier, Warner Records
and other industry projects. She was also invited to become the
primary photographer for Willie Nelson's family in the 1980s. Mary
Beth's photographs of Stevie Ray Vaughan have been featured in several
Vaughan biographies, because of her close friendship with him and his
former girlfriend, Lindi Bethel. Other luminaries Mary Beth
photographed include portraits of actor Morgan Freeman, celebrity
photographer Francesco Scavullo, acclaimed music producer Craig Leon
and his wife, singer Cassell Webb. Mary Beth was an avid traveler and
had friends all over the world. She enjoyed participating in the
Austin music community and spending time near water either waterskiing
on Lake Austin, sailing on Lake Travis, or swimming and hanging out on
beautiful beaches. She was married to Dr. John Durfor since 1994.
Anyone willing to search Mary Beth on the internet will get an eyeful
of amazing photographic images that emerged from her camera. A
memorial service celebrating Mary Beth's life is scheduled for 1:00
p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel, 3125 N.
Lamar Blvd. We invite you to share a memory of Mary Beth's persona or
memorable experience at www.wcfish.com