Vivian Maier: Secret street photographer

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May 23, 2025

Explore the captivating life of Vivian Maier, a little-known street photographer who captured urban life with her Rolleiflex camera. Working as a nanny in Chicago, she amassed over 150,000 striking images, yet rarely shared her work. After her death, her hidden artistry was unveiled, changing the narrative around her enigmatic persona. Dive into eye-witness accounts that reveal the complexity of her interactions and the unrecognized genius that immortalized fleeting moments through her lens.

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ANECDOTE

Vivian's Hidden Street Photography

Vivian Maier captured street scenes with an extraordinary eye while working as a nanny in Chicago.
She rarely shared her photos but left behind 150,000 images preserved in storage lockers.

ANECDOTE

Detached But Present in Photos

Vivian was part of a close-knit, prosperous community in Chicago suburbs while still keeping a detached view.
She photographed children casually without direct eye contact, revealing a unique perspective.

ANECDOTE

Hidden Interaction Through Lens

Vivian focused her photography on human relationships, often capturing intimate parent-child moments.
She maintained a mysterious separation using her camera that allowed her unique access without being noticed.

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It is only since Vivian Maier's death in 2009 that the 150,000 photographs she rarely showed to anyone have come to light.

Working as a nanny in the suburbs of Chicago in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, she captured extraordinary street scenes on a Rolleiflex camera. But she did not always develop the photos. With no permanent home of her own, she paid for storage units where her life’s work was kept. The archives were auctioned when she died and she is now considered one of the best street photographers of the 20th century.

Josephine McDermott presents accounts from the BBC archive from the people who found themselves in Vivian Maier’s orbit.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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This programme has been updated since the original broadcast.

(Photo: Vivian Maier self-portrait. Credit: Vivian Maier/ Alamy)