Vivian Maier’s Legacy: How to Document Your World Through Authentic Photography
Vivian Maier is one of my favorite photographers, not because she was a famous name in her time but because she was an amateur with an extraordinary eye for the everyday moments of life in Chicago. Long before street photography became a celebrated art form, Maier was out there capturing the city's pulse, documenting the world as she saw it. What draws me to her work is the way she transports me to a time I never lived in, showing me the world from her unique perspective.
Maier wasn’t some globe-trotting, gallery-enshrined photographer shooting exotic locations. She was a nanny, living on the fringes, and yet she had this remarkable ability to capture the essence of the streets she walked daily. She wasn’t driven by the desire to create timeless art; she was simply one of us, finding beauty in the ordinary.
Her work is a constant reminder to me that the most meaningful photography doesn't always come from chasing the "bucket list" shot or obsessing over the perfect composition. Instead, it's about documenting life as it unfolds around us. We all have our unique perspectives, shaped by our experiences, and even if two photographers stand in the same spot, their images will tell entirely different stories.
I find it incredibly freeing to embrace this mindset. Knowing that the photos I take today—whether of my family, my surroundings, or the world in my time—will serve as a window into our present for future generations. Just as Maier’s photos offer us a glimpse into her era, our images will one day be historical records. I often think about how my son's children will one day see what life was like during the pandemic, not just through history books but through the photos we leave behind.
If you haven’t explored Vivian Maier’s work yet, I highly recommend it. Her photography is a powerful testament to the beauty of the everyday and the importance of capturing our world as we see it. She’s been a huge inspiration to me, and I think she will be for you too. I’ll include some links below where you can discover her work for yourself.