Mary Williams Hyde brings more than 54 years of professional photography experience. She has photographed through the eras of film and early digital cameras and now works primarily with a Nikon Z9 mirrorless body, most often paired with an 800mm lens and 2x teleconverter, giving her both technical depth and practical field expertise. She will bring all of this and more to her new role as lead instructor for the upcoming FOCUS on Refuges wildlife conservation photography workshops.
Born on the BK Ranch across the valley from Bly, Oregon, Mary grew up in the ranching world that continues to shape her vision and perspective. She was deeply influenced by her uncle, Dayton “Hawk” Hyde, a rodeo photographer and internationally known wildlife conservationist whom she later supported by managing his Operation Stronghold organization and working on the marketing team for the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary.
Mary’s professional path has blended photography, design, and communication. After years at the Herald and News in Klamath Falls, where she learned from national award‑winning photographers, she went on to earn her BS and MS degrees with a strong emphasis on fine art and communication. In 1990, she founded her own graphic design and advertising agency, specializing in tourism promotion, event marketing, publication design, and web work, and she now has decades of experience with Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Topaz, and NIK software.
She is widely known for her documentation of Great Basin buckaroo traditions and has built an audience of nearly 800,000 followers across three main Facebook pages, with her images appearing in numerous western lifestyle magazines and on many covers. In the last decade, she has turned that same storytelling eye toward birds and wildlife, focusing especially on the Klamath Basin, Summer Lake, and Harney County. Often capturing thousands of images each week, her field-tested, high‑volume workflow allows her to share practical strategies for efficient editing while still honoring artistic intent.
As a passionate advocate for Pacific Flyway migratory birds and the refuges that support them, Mary uses photography to keep wildlife “at the table” in conversations about water, habitat, and climate. She welcomes photographers using everything from smartphones to high‑end cameras, emphasizing that every thoughtful, ethical image can help birds and the places they depend on. Known for saying, “I have a lot of experience, but don’t know everything – I look forward to learning from the participants too,” she intends to lead the FOCUS on Refuges workshops with both expertise and humility, creating an inclusive learning environment grounded in conservation.
REGISTER for Klamath Basin Refuges or Malheur Refuge Photography Workshop
FULL Weekend Rate: $1000 | Local Rate (No Lodging): $650
A portion of this registration fee is TAX DEDUCTIBLE and ALL proceeds from the registration fee directly supports the education, advocacy, and stewardship work of the Friends of Malheur NWR.
