Well, color us shocked yet thrilled! The master of the lens, Marco Sanchez, is calling it quits? Say it ain't so! But hey, here's a round of applause for the man whose snapshots could make even a mundane moment look like a masterpiece. Farewell to the maestro who'd contort himself into pretzel shapes just to nail that perfect shot.
Marco joined UCSF Documents and Media in 2003 as a designer and typesetter. His passion for photography and our need for UCSF photos for print projects provided the opportunity for him to shine and help build the DM Photography service line. His work has been regularly featured in various projects around campus – from shuttle and digital signs to posters, wall clings, and Zoom backgrounds.
“During the COVID pandemic in 2020, Marco helped to visually document what was happening on campus as an essential worker, while most of us worked remotely from home. Marco and his visual contributions to the University will be missed once he retires,” Mario Carmona, associate director, Documents and Media
Marco captured UCSF Facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his 20 years at UCSF, Marco has photographed everything you can think of–all 11 Block Parties, retirements, Chancellor Concert Series events, labs, llamas, and even ancient anesthesia tools and medicines.
Block Party 2011.
We can estimate that in 20 years, Marco has done 4,155 photoshoots and produced, as in retouched, 249,300 pictures.
No Chocolate Left Behind
We, and probably you too, have one burning question for Marco: What will happen to the chocolate wrappers covering the walls of your work area? If you need a reminder on this topic, see our Instagram post.
“Ha! Yes, the wall of chocolates. The wrappers have grown to hundreds and they are safely in a box in my apartment. Have to figure out what to do with them. Someday when I buy a home I will have room to fill a wall with them,” Marco reassures us.
“By the way, I will have a chocolate fountain at my retirement party,” he adds, to no one's surprise.
Photography Features In The Scroll
A standard column in our monthly newsletter, The Scroll, is a photography highlight tied to a cheeky caption. Over the years, there have been many, and below are the all-time favorites.
Bird of Prey
Marco Sanchez, our hawk-eyed photographer, managed to get close to this Koret Quad hunter so that he could share this image with you. How in the world did he get this close?
It was probably a combination of stealth and patience, but we prefer to think Marco wore a full-body hawk costume to blend in.
Pretty in Spring
Marco Sanchez, our photographer and our bud, manages his seasonal allergies so he can get close to the spring bloom.
Stars Shine Bright...(like what?)
That's right - like a diamond. If you did not say "like a diamond" what did you say? 🤔 No, really, let us know.
Marco Sanchez, our stellar photographer, captured Jupiter and Venus directly above Rutter Center at Mission Bay. What a stellar (oops, we did it again) sight!
Enjoy your retirement, Marco—may your days be filled with picture-worthy leisurely strolls and chocolate.
