David Shaw

I am the Owner and a Founder of the Mark Shaw Photographic Archive which manages the work of my father, photographer Mark Shaw. I was born in 1960 and sometimes accompanied my father on Photographic assignments when the babysitter did not show up. My photograph ( as a baby) can be seen on page 104 of Mark Shaw's 1963 book The John F. Kennedys- one of the best selling photography books at that time. The book compiled many of the photographs taken by Mark Shaw of the the Kennedy family from 1959-1963. Mark's relationship with the Kennedy family began when my dad, on assignment for LIFE magazine, photographed Jackie for a front page story entitled "A Frontrunner's Appealing Wife". He functioned as an "unofficial" family photographer as well as a friend and confidante. Mark Shaw was also a good friend of Kennedy doctor, Max Jacobson, who was my godfather. Mark Shaw's wife ( my mom) is singer Pat Suzuki who performed at JFK's inaugural. Mark Shaw died at the age of 47 in 1969. My interest in this forum is to separate the fact from fiction around Mark Shaw and his various dealings with the Kennedy family. As Mark Shaw died when I was only 8 years old, it has been difficult to get a clear story around who Mark Shaw was and as the current guardian of Mark Shaw's image, I feel I must learn as much as I can about him and his activities. I look forward to hearing any anecdotes, rumors or facts.