Vivian Maier - Capturing Life

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Black and white 1950s street photography by Vivian Maier
Portrait of a man in the street in black and white by Vivian Maier

By chance on Pinterest (oh I love Pinterest!) I came across the photographs of Vivian Maier. It seems I am a little slow on this one, I did not know of this lady's great work, and it really is mesmerising. Just in case you are as clueless as I was, here's a bit about Vivian Maier. 
Back and white photograph of men in suits watching a women walk by. Vivian Maier street photographer



Black and white picture of two trees and a 50s car by Vivian Maier

It was at first her photographs that drew me in, but it is her story that really puts them in perspective. Vivian's work might never have seen the light of day if it wasn't for one man, John Maloof. She was an American woman with French roots living in New York, and then Chicago, working as a nanny. Born in 1926, her life has been pieced together through the people she worked for and boxes of paper she had collected. That is how we know about her. The woman who was much loved by the children she had nannied, described as a free spirit but intensely private, a kind of eccentric Mary Poppins, fell on hard times in her latter years. She had been homeless, but three of the children she cared for clubbed together and were able to put her in an apartment. Vivian had been taking photographs her entire life, but no one had ever seen them. She had kept them in boxes in a lock up but when payments fell behind the whole lot was auctioned off!
Self portrait of Vivian Maier in black and white

Burnt down and collapsing building in America in black and white Vivian Maier

This is where John Maloof came in, he bought a box and there started a love affair with her work. Maloof, a real estate agent, became a photographer himself inspired by Maier's work and spent the next few years trying to track everything down of her work. He managed to get hold of 90% of what was auctioned off that day.
Colour photograph of kids and mum on the street by Vivian Maier


Chicago newspaper snapped by Vivian Maier street photographer

Since then the world has woken up to her brilliance. She captured the streets of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s in black and white and then colour. First with a basic Kodak Brownie box camera, later with a more sophisticated Rolleiflex and amassing 100,000 negatives - never before seen.
Still steaming burnt out chair on the pavement by Vivian Maier street photographer
Trio of three people all wearing yellow by Vivian Maier street photographer

Women and kids with hands on hips - black and white street photography by Vivian Maier

 John Maloof collected and developed her prints and introduced them to an adoring audience. So what is it about this street photographer? She captures life, raw, as it happened. Full of charm and joy alongside the poverty and lack. Her self portraits are also rather brilliant, no flattery but perfectly framed in a moment in time. 
Shoes peeping through in a black white street photograph by Vivian Maier

Little boy in black and white with his face up to the glass by Vivian Maier street photographer

Disapproving women caught by Vivian Maier street photographer

These kind of images are so precious, the world around us is constantly changing, its lovely to pause and appreciate the little moments that happen everyday.  
Self portrait of Vivian Maier street photographer

  

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