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The
Wedding Party, 1926
photo
by James Van der
Zee
James Van der Zee was
considered to be the dean of Harlem photographers. He began his career
early in the 20th century in Massachusetts and in 1916 opened a studio
at 272 Lenox Avenue in Harlem. Van der Zee gained a reputation as a fine
portrait photographer. He documented the events and the people of the
Harlem community in a stylish and dignified manner. He was also known
as photographer of funerals. Many of these images are reproduced in his
book, The Harlem Book of the Dead . Van der Zee was considered
the official photographer for Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement
Association movement. He also took many family portraits. "The Wedding"
(shown) is typical of Van der Zee's concern for showing family life in
Harlem in a formal and beautiful manner. He often painted on and altered
his photographs. They depicted African Americans as a cultured and well-bred
people. He usually signed and dated his photographs and negatives.