Iconic rock and pop celebrity photographer Mark Weiss is best known for his sensitive portrayals of music's legendary gods and goddesses. His subjects range from Bon Jovi's infamous "Slippery When Wet" album cover in the 80's which sold more then 28 million copies worldwide to Gwen Stefani 's "Sweet Escape" CD cover in recent years.

Mark's interest in photography started in 1974 when he was 14 years old growing up in New Jersey. His love for capturing images began when he acquired his first camera in a trade while mowing lawns. He turned his family’s bathroom into a darkroom where his humble beginnings started--soon to be one of the most sought after rock photographers.

Mark’s interest in rock and roll photography began on August 9, 1974 at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey at a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert. A notable moment in history, Mark realized that getting close to the stage to capture the expressions, sentiment, and moods on people’s faces was what he wanted to do. While still in high school, Mark managed to get to the front row at concerts to capture such legendary acts as Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Queen and David Bowie and numerous others.

Mark’s love of photography grew and he decided to make a career of it. He would sneak into shows with his cameras and stay up all night processing and printing hundreds of photos hanging them on close pins in every room in his house. Mark started selling his photos on the street after concerts for a dollar a print. In 1977, at the age of 17, Kiss played a five-night stint in New York City and Mark was arrested outside of Madison Square Garden for selling photos of the band and spent the night in jail. He quickly decided that his bootlegging days were over!

The day after Mark’s incarceration he walked into Circus Magazine, the leading rock & roll publication of the time and showed his portfolio to their art director. A few months later Mark submitted photos of Aerosmith that he shot at Giants Stadium which became his first published work a centerfold of Steven Tyler in June 1978. Soon after Mark was on the CIRCUS staff photographer and began shooting the magazine’s covers and features. In 1981 Mark shot his first magazine cover of Ozzy Osbourne and through the decades he has documented his life on the road and and at home. His dedication and camaraderie to the bands and professionalism with managers and record companies established Mark "Weissguy" Weiss as a name synonymous with rock photography.

Since those early days, Mark has been on the road capturing musicians on stage and behind the scenes. He has photographed countless album covers including his first -- Twisted Sister's "Stay Hungry" released in 1984. Mark photographed the US festival in California in 1983 and Live Aid in 1985. He was the official photographer for the Moscow Peace festival in 1989 which featured Bon Jovi in a Rolling Stone magazine pictorial. In 1990 Mark photographed the back cover of Jon Bon Jovi's solo album "Young Guns" and documented the recordings with Elton John and Little Richard.

Mark was one of the first photographers to do a session with Back Street Boys and ‘N Sync as well as Justin Timberlake as he was recording "SexyBack". From shooting photos for Diana Ross’s tour book in the 80's to recent years, Mark has never stopped chronicling music's finest moments.

In 1985 Mark and Twisted Sister's Dee Snider defended the right of freedom of speech through music in Washington DC at the historic PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) Committee hearings where Twisted Sister's album, "Stay Hungry" was under scrutiny for violent lyrics. The cover of "Stay Hungry", featuring Dee holding a bone, was displayed along with other images of Mark's, all of which were under scrutiny by Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice President Al Gore, and other Washington wives with the goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to be violent or sexually suggestive.

Most recently Mark's work was featured in Bon Jovi’s New York Times bestseller book, When We Were Beautiful as well as Ozzy Osbourne's book, I Am Ozzy. In addition, Mark has been credited with introducing Sebastian Bach to the band Skid Row which eventually sold millions of copies with Bach as lead vocalist. Weiss is also responsible for introducing Zakk Wylde as guitarist to Ozzy Osbourne.

With changes in the music industry, Kiss, Ozzy, Aerosmith and Guns ‘n Roses are a few of the acts Mark continues to work with which were instrumental in establishing him as a leader in his field. In the past decade he continues to work with as well as shooting portraits and capturing intimate moments of today’s stars including Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Usher, Black Eyed Peas and Fall Out Boy.

Mark is always in demand because his photos tell the real life, behind the scenes story of what it’s like to be a rock and roll legend. Whether it’s the fun times onstage or the trying times on the road, Mark captures the inner sanctums and the admiring fans. But at heart, he will always be the Weissguy!

Mark's photographs can be seen at his website: www.WEISSGUYgallery.com and www.MarkWeiss.com