Most of us discovered Vivian Maier long after her lifetime. She worked as a nanny in New York and Chicago, quietly photographing the streets around her for decades. The boxes of film she left behind were only noticed after she died, and slowly the scale of what she had done became clear. This video is a good way to step into her world and see some of that work.
I wish I could show some of her photographs here in this note, but I do not have permission and I am unsure about the copyright situation. Instead of copying the images, I would rather link to places that are authorised to show her work. Towards the end of this note I have added links to a website where you can see more of her photographs.
A few things stand out when I watch this:
- She photographed everyday life in the city while working full time as a nanny. Photography seems to have been something she did quietly on the side, for herself.
- She stayed close to people but rarely felt intrusive. The small gestures and expressions she caught on the street feel unforced.
- A large part of her work stayed undeveloped during her lifetime. A lifetime of seeing and recording, with almost no audience.
What I love most is the sense that she did all of this for herself. There is no sign of a career plan, no visible attempt to chase clients, money or fame. The photographs feel like something she needed to make, not something she made to be seen.
Her self portraits
The part of her work that moves me the most is the self portraits.
There is an entire thread of images where she uses reflections in shop windows, mirrors, polished surfaces and her own shadow. Sometimes she is very clear in the frame, sometimes she is half hidden inside layers of glass, signs and passing traffic. Each one feels considered. None of them look like a quick selfie.
What I like is how she places herself inside the scene without taking it over. The environment still matters. The street still matters. She is there, but she is not the only subject.
Where to see more of Vivian Maier
If you want to explore her work beyond this video:
- The official Vivian Maier website has several galleries of her street photography and portraits, plus information on books and exhibitions.
- There are dedicated galleries of her self portraits, in both black and white and colour, which are worth viewing on their own.
- The documentary film “Finding Vivian Maier” goes deeper into how her work was found and what it reveals about her life.
There is also another YouTube video about Vivan Maier‘s work on Ted Forbe’s Art of Photography Channel.
About Tatiana Hopper
Tatiana Hopper is a photographer, filmmaker and educator who spends a lot of time talking about images, ideas and the people behind them rather than just gear. Her work blends film, still images and short essays on why certain photographs matter and what we can learn from them. If you enjoy slow, thoughtful conversations around this craft, her work is worth exploring. You can find her work on her website at tatianahopper.io and on her YouTube channel, Tatiana Hopper.