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femalephotogs.bsky.social
#FemalePhotogs
@femalephotogs.bsky.social
51 followers 35 following 18 posts
Celebrating photography and female photographers...their amazing works, and their many sacrifices. All photographs © the photographer.
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femalephotogs.bsky.social
Rosa Parks, 1999
by Sharon Farmer

Farmer made history as the first Black woman White House photographer.

Rosa Parks was born #OTD in 1913.

#photography #BHM #FemalePhotogs
Black-and-white 1999 photograph by Sharon Farmer: Rosa Parks, aged 86. She wears glasses, her white hair upswept, her face lit with an exuberant, open-mouthed smile that crinkles her eyes and reveals pure joy. Another woman is to the left of her. A microphone stands close in the foreground, and the overall background is dark.
February 4, 2026 at 5:43 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Vivian Maier was born #OTD in 1926.

She privately took >100,000 photos--only found when her unpaid storage contents were auctioned off. Posthumously, she became one of the 20th century’s greatest street photographers.

findingvivianmaier.com

#streetphotography #photography #FemalePhotogs
Black-and-white self-portrait of Vivian Maier (1926–2009), the reclusive American street photographer whose vast archive of over 100,000 images was discovered posthumously and has since established her as one of the 20th century's most significant street photographers. She stands outdoors, gazing directly and intently at the camera with a serious, introspective expression. Her short, tousled hair frames her face, and she wears a plaid or checkered button-up shirt. She holds her signature twin-lens reflex Rolleiflex camera (a medium-format Rolleiflex with twin lenses and waist-level viewfinder) up to her eye, strap around her neck, composing the shot with quiet determination. The image captures her solitary, observant nature and technical skill, taken by Maier herself using a mirror, reflection, or self-timer technique common in her self-portraits. Black-and-white street photograph by Vivian Maier, taken in New York City (likely Times Square or a bustling mid-century urban area, circa 1950s). The central subject is a young man (teen or early 20s) with tousled hair, wearing a casual collared shirt with rolled sleeves, dark trousers, and a belt, standing on a sidewalk. One pigeon is sitting on his left with a second pigeon caught in mid landing with wings extended upward. His expression is concentrated and almost reverent. In the background, large advertising billboards and signs loom prominently, including "SPAGHETTI Served Here" with a pasta illustration and "PLANTERS NUTS" (or similar), along with other marquees, pedestrians, and city details that evoke the vibrant, gritty energy of 1950s New York street life. Maier's signature empathetic eye for everyday human moments and urban textures shines through in this candid, compassionate capture.
February 1, 2026 at 7:02 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1869
by English photographer Julia Margaret Cameron

Cameron was one of the most important portraitists of the 19th century, known for her soft-focus close-ups of famous Victorians. She took up #photography at age 48. She died #OTD in 1879.

#PortraitPhotography #FemalePhotogs
Vintage portrait photograph of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892), the eminent Victorian poet and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom. He is depicted in a three-quarter view against a dark, softly shadowed background, gazing slightly off to the side with a contemplative expression. Tennyson has a high, balding forehead, long wavy hair curling at the sides, and a full, bushy beard and mustache that are graying. He wears a dark velvet or wool coat with a white shirt collar visible underneath, a dark bow tie or cravat, and the overall style reflects formal 19th-century Victorian attire. The dramatic lighting and rich tonal contrast emphasize his thoughtful, distinguished presence in this late-life portrait. Vintage portrait photograph of Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–1879), the pioneering Victorian photographer renowned for her artistic and expressive portraits. She is seated in a three-quarter view against a dark, softly focused background, looking to the right with a calm, introspective expression. Cameron has long, straight dark hair partially covered by a draped hood or shawl of patterned fabric with ornate borders, and she wears a heavy, textured shawl or cloak wrapped around her shoulders with intricate paisley-like designs, a dark dress beneath, and her hands clasped in her lap. The soft focus, rich shadows, and warm tonal range are characteristic of her own photographic style, capturing her in a posed, contemplative moment.
January 26, 2026 at 2:54 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Booker T. Washington, c. 1895
by photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston

Washington was the founder & first principal of the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University).

Johnston, well-known for her portraits (& rightfully so) was born #OTD in 1864. #photography #FemalePhotogs
A formal, half-length portrait of Booker T. Washington (ca. 1895), the renowned Black educator, author, orator, and founder/principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. He is seated and wearing a classic three-piece pinstriped suit with a high white collar, black bow tie, and vest, a pocket watch chain draped across the front. His expression is calm, direct, and dignified as he gazes straight at the camera with steady eyes. The dark, textured studio backdrop and soft lighting emphasize his composed features and the refined tailoring of his attire.
January 15, 2026 at 4:19 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Woman of Tehuantepec, 1929
by Tina Modotti (right)

Italian photographer Tina Modotti documented the post-revolutionary era in Mexico. She died #OTD in 1942.

#photography #FemalePhotogs
A black-and-white photograph by Tina Modotti titled "Woman of Tehuantepec," taken circa 1929. It depicts a Tehuana woman from southern Mexico in profile, gazing into the distance with a calm expression. She balances a large, ornate calabash (jícara or painted gourd) decorated with floral patterns on her head, holding it steady with her raised right hand. She wears traditional attire including embroidered blouse with geometric patterns, a necklace with a pendant, and small hoop earrings, against a dark background that emphasizes her dignified pose. A black-and-white studio portrait of Tina Modotti, a young woman with short dark hair, gazing directly at the camera with a serious and introspective expression. She wears a dark cloche hat adorned with a feather on the right side, a high-collared light scarf, and a dark jacket. The photograph is signed in cursive handwriting in the lower right corner with a message and signed "Tina."
January 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Eve Arnold photographed Marilyn Monroe for more than 10 years. Image is Marilyn on the set of The Misfits, 1961. Look at that lighting! Eve Arnold died #OTD in 2012.

BBC #documentary "Marilyn Monroe and #Photographer Eve Arnold youtube.com/watch?v=_DPo... #photography #FemalePhotogs
A black-and-white photograph by Eve Arnold captures Marilyn Monroe in a contemplative moment at a craps table in a dimly lit casino in Reno, Nevada, during the filming of The Misfits in 1960. Monroe, with her signature platinum blonde hair softly styled, leans forward on the padded edge of the table, resting her chin on her folded arms, gazing downward with a pensive, melancholic expression that conveys vulnerability and introspection. She wears a sleeveless top, her posture relaxed yet weary. In the blurred background, out-of-focus figures. The high-contrast lighting highlights Monroe's face and form while casting dramatic shadows, emphasizing her isolation amid the surroundings.
January 4, 2026 at 4:17 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Nancy Astor, c. 1919
by photographer Olive Edis

Nancy Astor made history as Britain's first female Member of Parliament to take her seat in the House of Commons.

Olive Edis was Britain's first war photographer. She died #OTD in 1955.

#photography #FemalePhotogs
December 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
I saw this portrait of Simone de Beauvoir by Freund years ago. One of my all-time favorites. The more work of hers I found, the more of a fan I became. The color photograph of Woolf was the only one I'd ever seen. Loved it. Glad you do too!
December 19, 2025 at 11:09 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
L: Self-portrait, 1952
R: Virginia Woolf, 1939
by Gisèle Freund

Freund, born #OTD in 1908, did pioneering work in color photojournalism & intimate portraits of literary figures. This is one of the only color photographs of Virginia Woolf & the last professional portrait #photography #FemalePhotogs
A black-and-white self-portrait of Gisèle Freund in a medium shot. Freund stands behind a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera mounted on a small tripod. She is looking directly at the lens and is holding a cable release in her left hand. She has dark, curly hair and is wearing a dark, button-down shirt with a patterned scarf around her neck and a ring on her finger. The background is simple and uncluttered, focusing attention on the photographer and her equipment. Color portrait of Virginia Woolf, with her head turned slightly to the viewer's left and her eyes cast downwards in a pensive expression. The photograph, taken in 1939 by Gisèle Freund, highlights her fine facial features, including prominent eyes and the lines on her forehead and neck. Her graying hair is pulled back, and she wears a dark garment with a distinctive white, ruffled collar. The background is a soft, blurred mix of warm, reddish-brown tones.
December 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Shoulder to Lean On
by Maíra Erlich, Brazilian documentary photographer

Selected as one of National Geographic's Pictures of the Year for 2025. Caption in alt.

www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...

mairaerlich.com #photography #FemalePhotogs
Black-and-white portrait of Maira Erlich. She has short, tightly curled hair and is resting her head thoughtfully on her right hand, fingers touching her temple. She wears a striped sweater over a dark shirt and looks directly at the camera with a calm, slightly wry half-smile. The lighting is soft and even, creating a classic, introspective studio photograph. Neighborhoods throughout the coastal city of Maceió in Brazil are sinking into the ground after decades of rock salt mining. The destruction has displaced tens of thousands of residents like Damião Carlos da Silva, who was forced into temporary housing nearby after losing his home. He finds solace in the precious moments of life, such as this one shared with his pet chick. Close-up portrait of an older man wearing a brown cowboy hat tilted slightly forward. His eyes are gently closed and his weathered face glistens with sweat in the warm sunlight. A small, fluffy chick with mottled brown and black feathers rests tenderly against his cheek and neck, its own eyes closed as if sleeping. The background is softly blurred with hints of green foliage and a warm golden light.
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Photographer Berenice Abbott died #OTD in 1991.

She is known for her shots of NYC's #architecture and urban design in the 1930s. This is a shot of the NY Stock Exchange, 1933, as part of her Changing New York project. Look at that light! 👀 #photography #blackandwhitephotography #art #FemalePhotogs
A black-and-white portrait of photographer Berenice Abbott. She stands indoors beside a large-format view camera mounted on a sturdy tripod, peering intently into the viewfinder as if composing a shot. Dressed in a pleated skirt, jacket, and scarf, with short dark hair and a serious expression, she embodies the focused professionalism of the era. Behind her, a spotlight on a stand illuminates the room, while a fireplace and shelves of books are visible in the background. A dramatic 1933 black-and-white photograph by Berenice Abbott of the New York Stock Exchange building on Wall Street. The massive neoclassical façade with its towering Corinthian columns and sculptural pediment looms upward, framed tightly from a low angle between neighboring skyscrapers. In the foreground, vintage cars and pedestrians in 1930s attire move along the busy street, while American flags hang from the building. The high-contrast image emphasizes the monumental scale and grandeur of the financial landmark against the canyon-like urban street.
December 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Iconic Images By #India’s First Female Photographer, Homai Vyarawalla. She was born #OTD in 1913.

thequint.com/photos/iconi...

#photography #photojournalism #FemalePhotogs
Black-and-white portrait of Homai Vyarawalla, India’s first female photojournalist, standing indoors beside a window. She is dressed in a simple short-sleeved blouse and a draped sari, holding a large vintage twin-lens reflex camera, gazing confidently to her right with a slight smile. The soft natural light from the window highlights her poised and determined expression.
December 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Through their eyes: Meet the women in Iraq using #photography to create solidarity

Iraqi Female Photographers is a collective addressing systemic sexism, a lack of women’s stories and institutional support in the country

www.1854.photography/2025/11/iraq... #FemalePhotogs
December 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Rosa Parks, 1999
by Sharon Farmer

Farmer made history as the first Black woman White House photographer.

#OTD in 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, got arrested, and sparked the boycott of the Montgomery bus system.

#photography #FemalePhotogs
Black-and-white 1999 photograph by Sharon Farmer: Rosa Parks, aged 86. She wears glasses, her white hair upswept, her face lit with an exuberant, open-mouthed smile that crinkles her eyes and reveals pure joy. Another woman is to the left of her. A microphone stands close in the foreground, and the overall background is dark.
December 1, 2025 at 3:26 PM
femalephotogs.bsky.social
Greta Garbo, 1927
by Ruth Harriet Louise

Louise was the first woman photographer active in Hollywood, where she ran MGM's portrait studio from 1925 to 1930.

#photography #portraitphotography #FemalePhotogs
Black-and-white close-up portrait of Greta Garbo from 1927. She gazes upward with her signature enigmatic expression, lips slightly parted. Her hair is styled in a sleek, shiny 1920s bob, and she wears a shimmering metallic headscarf and scarf that catch the light dramatically. The MGM credit “MGM-772” appears in the lower left corner.
November 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM