Called to the Camera: Black American Studio Photographers

Called to the Camera is a timely reconsideration of photography history that showcases Black studio photographers and their subjects, from the nineteenth-century daguerreotypes of James Presley Ball to the mid-twentieth-century peak of Black studios. The book features over one hundred vintage photographs, many of them unique objects, and presents a broader and more inclusive history of photography.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

From the very beginnings of photography in the United States, Black studio photographers have been at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of popular media to create empowering portraits for their clients and a diverse range of photographic work that is deeply rooted in their communities.
Called to the Camera presents a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of this remarkable body of work, spanning from the nineteenth-century daguerreotypes of James Presley Ball to the flourishing era of Black studios in the mid-twentieth century. It also delves into the contemporary responses of photographers to the rich traditions of Black studio photography.

In addition to featuring renowned photographers like Ball, James Van Der Zee, and Addison Scurlock, this volume also showcases the talents of dozens of other artists across the country, including Florestine Perrault Collins, Austin Hansen, and Henry Clay Anderson. The book boasts an impressive collection of over one hundred extraordinary vintage photographs, many of which are rare and unique objects, and some, such as those from the Hooks Brothers Studio, are being published for the very first time.

Called to the Camera goes beyond showcasing famous photographers and presents a broader and more inclusive history of photography. It highlights Black subjects on both sides of the camera, challenging traditional narratives and expanding our understanding of the medium's rich tapestry.

This captivating book has been published by the New Orleans Museum of Art, in collaboration with the Getty Foundation, and is scheduled to be exhibited at the museum from September 15, 2022, to January 8, 2023. The exhibition will provide a platform for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history and artistic contributions of Black studio photographers, and to explore the ongoing relevance of their work in contemporary photography.

Dimension: 279 x 248 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300267389