Super Stud/Sub Doug

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐛/𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠

Doug Pursley—who I used to call Dougie Fresh—has lived a lot of lives. He once had a successful career in marketing and sales, the kind people stay in because the money is good. He didn’t. After years of moving between places and versions of himself, he’s now back near home in Minnesota, close to his two brothers.

These days, Doug lives in a local motel, LumberJill Lodge—pink doors, flower boxes, and antique photographs of female lumberJILLS in every room. He helps run the place in exchange for a room. To make money, he substitute teaches. Somewhere along the way, he became Super Sub Doug. (Some of the high school girls call him Super Stud Doug, which makes him wildly uncomfortable.)

He walks into classrooms with an easy, open energy. The kids feel it immediately. They don’t just listen—they light up. He makes them laugh, plays games, and gives them the space to be themselves. During an art class, he asked them to draw him: hearts around his face, “#1 Teacher,” “Best Teacher Ever,” and one kid who drew him as a devil. All of it felt right.

What they respond to isn’t perfection—it’s presence. Doug doesn’t try to control the room. He meets it where it is.

A man who stepped out of one version of success and into something simpler. And somehow, exactly right.

𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬, 𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧—𝘪𝘯 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴, $2 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘍𝘞, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺.

Paul Offit | Philadelphia Magazine

Shot a story on Dr. Paul Offit — a man who’s been called a lot of things, including “the devil” by RFK Jr.

But here’s what I experienced:

A warm home in Naples. A kind, generous couple. An awesome, really bright wife. A quiet presence. A sense of humor that meets you right where you are.

As I was setting up lights, I said, “Let’s make you look like an angel, not a devil.” We both laughed — and honestly, it didn’t feel like much of a stretch.

It’s always fascinating to witness the space between public narrative and private reality.

Grateful to Claudia Gavin for the trust, the kindness, and for bringing me into this story.

Some assignments stay with you. This was one of them.

Photography by Mary Beth Koeth for Philadelphia Magazine, Assistant | José Arizmendi, Photo Editor Claudia Gavin

They’re Plus-Size and Kind of Famous at Disney World | New York Times

Shot this story for the The New York Times with the absolute legends known as the Plus Size Park Hoppers — and I’m sorry but I will never do Disney without them again.

Pure joy. Pure chaos. Disney character outfits. Snacks. Honesty. Laughter that doesn’t quit.

The kind of day where you forget about everything else and just be — fully in it, fully alive, fully yourself.

These women don’t just go to Disney… they expand it. Make it softer, louder, funnier, more human.

Madison Malone Kircher told the story, I got to witness the magic. Best shoot ever. Would do it again in a heartbeat

Writer | Madison Malone Kircher, Mary Beth Koeth for The New York Times

Chuck Norris

Photographed Chuck Norris in 2021.

Yes, that Chuck Norris.

Turns out the toughest guy in the world was also one of the kindest.

And the real hero on set? His wife—gracefully making sure everything ran smoothly, quietly looking out for him the entire time.

Legends don’t just walk in with presence…

they walk in with love.

Rest in peace 🤍

Ben Helmrath | Golf Digest

Hammer Man

Shot Ben Helmrath for Golf Digest—the sweetest mastermind in the room.

While everyone else was swinging, Ben was quietly in the background… studying, planning, and taking care of the team like their secret weapon.

No spotlight, no ego—just heart, brains, and a perfectly timed hammer.

Photograph by Mary Beth Koeth

Digi Javier Sanchez

Photo Editor Stephen Denton

Sadek Wahba | Barron's

Karen Frank is an icon in the photo world. I’ve heard her name spoken in the brightest light for years, so when she reached out after moving to Barron's. The answer was simple: yes.

Editorial budgets rarely cover what it actually takes to do what we do—assistants, gear, the whole circus. After my accident, I’ve had to create real boundaries around my energy and my body. But sometimes you still go beyond.

You know the budget.

You know you’ll lose money.

You hire Jose to help with the heavy gear.

You rent what you need.

And you do it anyway.

Because you’re not doing it for Karen.

You’re not doing it for Barron’s.

You’re doing it for you.

Also…turns out I now have a whole new appreciation for photographing older men in finance wearing slightly ill-fitted suits.

Meet the delightful Sadek Wahba. I wasn’t taking about his suit.

The Villages

Some assignments give you photos.

Some give you friends you didn’t see coming.

I went to The Villages to photograph a story for @aarp about fraud in retirement communities. Important topic. Serious subject. Golf carts everywhere.

But the best part of the job is always the humans.

I got to work with one of my favorite photo directors, Michael Wichita, and my ride-or-die Wallace Cruz, who might be the best video editor alive. I spent the day meeting residents, hearing stories, and being reminded that life doesn’t get less interesting with age — it just gets better characters.

The first night, I had dinner at the restaurant bar. I met a charming Canadian man who has been divorced twice, still believes in love, and is actively searching for an amazing woman. I told him I’d put it in the caption so the internet can help.

🤌🏼💜 (He’s a babe, ladies. And smart. And funny.)

Then on the flight home I met Giles, a golfer with the calm wisdom of someone who has spent many hours walking very green grass. We just had dinner in Dallas like old friends who accidentally skipped the first twenty years of knowing each other.

This job is funny like that.

You show up to document someone else’s story… and quietly walk away with a few new ones of your own.

Photography has taken me all over the world, but the real gift is this: sitting at a bar, on a plane, or across a dinner table with a stranger who suddenly isn’t one anymore.

Female Python Hunters in the Everglades

In June 2020, I photographed Florida’s leading female python hunters and spent the night in the Everglades with Anne Gorden-Vega—an art educator turned absolute legend. At 61, she’d captured more Burmese pythons that year than the other 37 state hunters combined. Casual.

We rolled out at sunset, giant lights blasting the swamp like a football stadium. She scanned for iridescent scales with expert precision. I scanned with vibes. We crawled along at 6 mph, no bravado, no theatrics—just calm women who look like they’d remind you to sharpen your pencil and then wrestle a 7-foot snake after dark.

The pay isn’t glamorous. Some nights you catch nothing. But Anne talked less about money and more about the wildlife disappearing—the urgency that keeps her out there until 2 a.m.

I left at 10:30, wildly impressed and slightly humbled. If photography ever fails me, I will not become a python hunter. But I would make an elite truck companion. Cheerleader. Moral support. Snack director. I’ve always been great at snacks.

Mary Beth Koeth for Flamingo Magazine

Teamwork

One of my favorite things about what I do is that it has never really felt like work. I get to play. I get to create. That’s the job.

Sometimes the subject wants to collaborate and build something with you. Sometimes they prefer to just be while you quietly orbit them. Either way, it’s never about me — which I love. But when someone opens up and truly collaborates? That’s when it turns into magic.

It’s the same with crew. I’m lucky — I usually get to work alongside the most thoughtful, talented creatives. And honestly, if you’re not enjoying the moment, you might be in the wrong business. Creativity is a gift. We get to make something from nothing. That’s the coolest.

I worked side by side with this awesome group for two days. Luke showed up with lavender lattes (hero behavior). Ilaria made sure the client was happy and the images were dialed in. Ben — Digi Tech extraordinaire and all-around solid human — and we worked together on this project last year, so it felt like a reunion. Andrew carried gear up and down 43 floors with a smile on his face, which frankly deserves its own award category.

I can’t remember whose idea it was to grab a group photo at the end, but I’m so glad we did. These quick little creative families we form for a few days at a time — that’s the best thing about it. The images are just icing on the cake. 

Bad Bunny: No Translation Needed

How being himself became a global revolution.

Bad Bunny didn’t just rise to the top; he actually shifted the temperature for everyone watching. I feel like we saw him expand the definitions of language, gender, masculinity, and success right in front of our eyes. He made room for joy and contradiction, proving that culture doesn't need translation to be understood. He showed me that you don’t have to dilute where you come from to be heard everywhere, and that tenderness and power can actually live side by side.

To me, Album of the Year isn’t really a peak for him. Instead, it feels like a reflection of timing and truth. It shows that the world was finally ready for someone who moves without any apology. While some people try to define an era by chasing trends, he became the era simply by being himself.

Raven Run

Shot years ago for Southwest Airlines Magazine. Still on my desktop because it holds something I keep returning to: rhythm, freedom, and bodies trusting where they’re going.

Bad Bunny | Portraits

From the archive.
Album of the Year 🏆— Bad Bunny
Billboard shoot

He kept placing his pinkies under his eyes. I just googled it — it typically means mock tears or performative emotion. I hope I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know that. I Google everything.

Wayne Gretzky. The Great One.

Wayne Gretzky. The Great One.

📷 Mary Beth Koeth

💪 Javier I Sanchez

Julie K. Brown and the Female Collaborator Who Helped Bring Down Jeffrey Epstein

A powerful journalist–photographer duo who helped bring down Jeffrey Epstein
Julie K. Brown & Emily Michot

One uncovers the truth.
The other makes it impossible to look away.

Together, they remind us that accountability begins when courage meets clarity—when words investigate and images bear witness.

📷 Mary Beth Koeth for The Hollywood Reporter
💪🏽 Adam Dalziel

Happy New Year

It’s mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it don’t matter.

-Robert Raven Kraft, 51 years of running every single day

Miami Boyfriends | Chris

There are not very many men in my life that I put on a pedestal. Chris, my former (land)lord is one of them. He’s humble to the point of correcting me when I call him my landlord, so I just call him my lord. It feels more appropriate.

When you go out to dinner with him, he follows rules that people learn in cotillion. He buys art like a fancy art collector who attends Art Basel to buy does and asks me to come over to help him hang, which makes me feel fancy. I documented his first trip to Trader Joe’s—he’s more of a Whole Foods guy—and worked with my dear friend who used to come down to Miami and live in my guest room every January and is, more importantly, an on air host and reporter for ESPN edit the video of Chris perusing Trader Joes and mocking at my TD favs (love you regardless of your taste in my favs, Christopher) I would post the video if I knew Chris would love it, but I won’t because I know it would embarrass him.

This photo, he didn’t love because of the house socks and shoes with his khaki shorts. He’s more of a tailored top, pleated pants, custom shoes type of man, so take my words and the adorable back garden gnomes as proof. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet…my lord, Christ. I mean…Chris. :)

#miamiboyfriends

Run Raven Run | The story of South Beach legend, Robert "Raven" Kraft

by Mary Beth Koeth

Personal Project

I first met Raven soon after I arrived in Miami to pursue photography, having spent years in graphic design before deciding it was time for a change. I was still finding my footing in a new city when I noticed a long-haired, shirtless man leading a pack of runners along the shoreline every afternoon. One day I said, “Hello.” He invited me to join. That man was Robert "Raven" Kraft, and my life in Miami changed right there on the sand.

Raven has run on South Beach every single day since January 1, 1975, through concussions, hurricanes, heartbreaks, and heat waves — never missing a run. When you complete your first eight miles with him, he gives you a nickname. Mine is “Yellow Rose,” a nod to Texas. That simple gesture made the beach feel less like a place I had just moved to and more like home. I met many of my closest friends through the Raven Run, and Raven quickly became my favorite person to photograph.

Photographing Raven felt like photographing a living piece of Miami’s mythology. He isn’t just a runner, he’s a witness. Miami Beach has transformed dramatically over the decades, and Raven has watched every shift from the same stretch of sand. People come from all over the world just to run beside him, hear his stories, and to receive a nickname. The city even renamed a portion of 3rd Street “Robert ‘Raven’ Kraft Way” in his honor.

What drew me to tell Raven’s story is the way his daily ritual becomes a thread that binds people together. Artists, CEOs, firefighters, the homeless, travelers, lifeguards, and locals — everyone eventually finds themselves side-by-side in the sand, sharing breath, sweat, and stories. Raven created a community without ever trying to. He simply showed up every day — and people followed.

That spirit inspired my best friend, writer Laura Lee (“White Lightning”), and me to create a book and documentary about him. For just over fifty years, Raven has been Miami Beach’s unofficial historian, philosopher, and beating heart. His story isn’t just about a running streak. It’s about devotion, eccentricity, resilience, and the way one person’s daily ritual can unite an entire city.

Documentary by Mary Beth Koeth and Wallace Cruz | Unstoppable https://vimeo.com/ondemand/robertravenkraft

Robert Raven Kraft

Known for his remarkable running streak, Robert “Raven” Kraft has run eight, then later five, miles on Miami Beach every day since January 1, 1975. People from all over the world join his daily run, after which he gives them a unique nickname. In his honor, a portion of 3rd Street in Miami Beach was renamed “Robert ‘Raven’ Kraft Way”.

Loved seeing Raven on NBC’s Today Show this morning. 🏃🏻‍♂️💨

Dan Buettner | Blue Zones

Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, and award-winning journalist. He discovered the five places in the world—dubbed blue zones—where people lived the longest, healthiest lives and shared this information with the world.