Mark Brandes

Mark Brandes is a "PK"...a pastor's kid. He grew up going to church every Sunday, but lived the life of a hedonist when he headed off to college. That lifestyle led to years of hiding his self-control weaknesses in areas of food, alcohol and sex until the day he had a life changing wake-up call. His first book, Why We Hide, explores why people hide their sin because of guilt, fear and shame, and why confessional storytelling is the best path toward restoration with God and others.

Mark's life path reveals a man passionate about people as well as the arts. He has B.A. degrees in psychology and photography, and a M.A. in biblical counseling. Though he spent decades as a portrait photographer, his commitment is to counseling couples and people burdened by guilt and shame.

Mark loves life in Southern California with April, his bride of over 40 years. They are foodies who are as comfortable with four-star restaurants as they are with food trucks. They have one daughter in So Cal, and two daughters-in-love in L.A., and Boston.