Several people suggested that I write more about women in photography. In past newsletters, I’ve written about women photographers who can be considered more of a household name. They’re photographers who non-photographers likely have heard about or, at the very least, seen their work. Today, I’d like to talk about women photographers the layperson likely never heard of.
Graciela Iturbide (1942–present)
Graciela Iturbide is a highly influential Mexican photographer known for her powerful black-and-white images that explore indigenous cultures, rituals, and Mexican identity. Born in Mexico City, she studied filmmaking at the Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos but turned to photography after the tragic death of her daughter. Working as an assistant to renowned photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Iturbide developed her distinct style, blending documentary realism with a surrealist, poetic sensibility.
Her early work focused on the Seri people of the Sonoran Desert, producing the celebrated series Los que viven en la arena (Those Who Live in the Sand), highlighting the relationship between humans and their environment. Another of her most famous projects took place in Juchitán, Oaxaca, where she documented the Zapotec women of the matriarchal society. Her iconic photograph, Nuestra Señora de las Iguanas (Our Lady of the Iguanas) became a symbol of feminine strength and autonomy.
Iturbide’s work often explores life, death, and spirituality themes, with rituals playing a significant role. Her series La muerte en la calle (Death in the Street) offers a raw portrayal of death in Mexican urban life. Her photographs transcend traditional documentary work, incorporating symbolism and emotion.
A recipient of the prestigious Hasselblad Award in 2008, Iturbide’s work has been exhibited in major museums globally, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Getty Museum. Her photography continues to influence the field, blending cultural narrative with personal introspection, and stands as a bridge between traditional Mexican photography and contemporary visual storytelling.
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Nan Goldin (1953–present)
Nan Goldin is an American photographer known for her deeply personal, raw, and intimate images documenting her life and those around her. Born in Washington, D.C., then raised in Boston, she moved to New York City in the late 1970s, becoming part of the underground LGBTQ+ and countercultural scenes. Goldin’s work often captures themes of love, identity, addiction, and intimacy, presenting them in an unflinching, candid style.
Her most famous work, The Ballad of Sexual Dependency (1986), is a visual diary of her community, portraying friends, lovers, and herself in moments of vulnerability and emotional intensity. This series, a collection of over 700 images shown as a slideshow, became a seminal work in contemporary photography, addressing issues of gender, relationships, and the AIDS epidemic.
Goldin's photography is known for its autobiographical nature, with her images reflecting the raw realities of life without embellishment. Her ability to capture intimate moments of joy, pain, and human connection has earned her recognition in major museums worldwide, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Tate Modern. Goldin's work continues to influence contemporary art, particularly in documentary and personal photography, by offering a window into the human condition through an honest and empathetic lens.
Ming Smith (1950–present)
Ming Smith is an American photographer known for her evocative and poetic black-and-white images that capture the richness of African-American life and culture. Born in Detroit and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Smith moved to New York in the 1970s, where she became the first African-American woman to have her work acquired by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Her photography often features a dreamlike quality, utilizing motion blur, double exposure, and other experimental techniques to create a sense of fluidity and movement.
A member of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of Black photographers dedicated to documenting African-American experiences, Smith’s work often focuses on jazz musicians, street scenes, and intimate portraits. Her images of cultural icons like Sun Ra and Grace Jones are revered for their emotional depth and artistic composition. Throughout her career, Smith has blended social commentary with a deeply personal visual language, making her a unique voice in the world of fine art photography.
Although her work is not widely known in mainstream circles, Ming Smith has had a lasting influence on contemporary photography. Her work is exhibited internationally and continues to inspire new generations of photographers.
Rinko Kawauchi (1972–present)
Rinko Kawauchi is a Japanese photographer renowned for her ethereal and contemplative images that capture the beauty in everyday life. Born in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, she studied graphic design and initially worked in commercial photography before turning to more personal, fine-art photography. Kawauchi gained international attention with the simultaneous release of three photobooks in 2001—Utatane, Hanabi, and Hanako—which highlighted her unique ability to transform mundane moments into poetic visual narratives.
Her work often features soft lighting, pastel hues, and delicate compositions, evoking a sense of calm and wonder. Whether photographing nature, daily rituals, or family life, Kawauchi’s images invite viewers to slow down and appreciate the small, fleeting moments that make up the human experience. She frequently explores themes of life, death, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Kawauchi's photography has been exhibited worldwide, and featured in prominent institutions such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Known for her ability to blend the intimate with the universal, Rinko Kawauchi remains a revered figure in contemporary photography. She is celebrated for her quiet, meditative approach to the medium.
*The respective photographer copyrights all work shown.
Thank you for reading, and I hope everybody has a GREAT week!
Thank you for introducing me to these photographers.
I am delighted that you have covered lesser known women photographers. Thank you!