Vivian Maier: Who Took Nanny’s Pictures?
“Vivian Maier: Who Took Nanny’s Pictures?” is a 2013 BBC documentary that delves into the enigmatic life and extraordinary work of photographer Vivian Maier.
Maier was entirely unknown as a photographer during her lifetime, seemingly capturing images solely for her own pleasure. It’s difficult to say for sure, as there’s no documented evidence of her discussing her photography with anyone.
Her work was only discovered posthumously, around the time of her death. Dealers who purchased the contents of her storage lockers—sight unseen—after she failed to keep up with rental payments stumbled upon her life’s work. Some of her photographs were uploaded to Flickr, and from there, the world took notice.
For most of her life, Vivian worked as a nanny in Chicago, earning her the posthumous moniker “Mary Poppins with a camera.” Those who knew her described her as solitary and, perhaps, a bit eccentric. Yet, through her photography, a different side of Maier emerges.
As a photographer, she was remarkably prolific, shooting over 100,000 images during the film era—a time when every shot counted. Her negatives reveal that she often captured a single frame of a moment before moving on, with an incredible hit rate. Many rolls contain numerous “keepers,” a stark contrast to today’s digital photographers, who might take hundreds of shots to find just one worthy of keeping.
Maier’s work offers a fascinating window into her world, both within and beyond her role as a nanny. She frequently photographed her charges or brought them along as she roamed the streets capturing life around her. However, this window is limited; Maier never discussed her art, leaving us to theorize about her thoughts and motivations.
One theme that stands out in Maier’s work is solitude—a reflection, perhaps, of the solitude she seemed to crave in life. Her images are observational, taken from a quiet, unobtrusive perspective. This could be attributed to her personality, her use of a Rolleiflex camera with a waist-level viewfinder, or the fact that cameras were not as ubiquitous in her era, making people less self-conscious about being photographed.
Maier also created many self-portraits, though they are nothing like today’s selfies. Her self-portraits often capture her reflection in mirrors or windows, or her shadow partially hidden in the frame. These images may symbolize how she saw herself: a figure on the periphery of society.
Another striking aspect of Maier’s work is how the world around her influenced her art. The 1968 Chicago riots seem to mark a turning point; her later images take on a darker tone, reflecting the turbulent sociopolitical landscape of the time. The Vietnam War protests, the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, and Nixon’s resignation all contributed to a collective loss of innocence in the United States, and Maier’s work mirrors this shift.
In conclusion, Vivian Maier’s photography serves as a powerful inspiration to photographers everywhere. Her story proves that formal training isn’t necessary to create outstanding work—what matters is an understanding of your subject. However, reflecting on Maier’s work in light of my tutor’s comments on my Assignment 1, I’ve come to appreciate a key lesson: while my images were strong, the collection felt eclectic and lacked cohesion as a set. Maier’s work, too, is eclectic, capturing a wide array of styles and subjects, but it remains unified by her unique perspective, documenting the world through her eyes.
References:
http://www.veoh.com/watch/v70590131KFPFjY7N?h1=BBC+Imagine+(2013)+Vivian+Maier+-+Who+Took+Nannys+Pictures (Accessed 4th August)
