Vivian Maier Developed

Ann Marks

Author Ann Marks unravels the mysteries surrounding the life of Vivian Maier, the nanny who lived secretly as a world-class photographer. Revelations include a traumatic New York childhood with a family at such odds, its ten members were buried in nine different cemeteries. An emotionally damaged Maier overcame early constraints through fortitude, intellect, and immense creative resources, to live an independent, fulfilling life on her own terms.

The only person in the world granted access to 140,000 photographs, home movies and tape recordings, Marks writes the definitive biography, placing the photographer's work in the context of her life experiences and persona. Based on clues found in pictures, genealogical records and interviews with those who knew the photographer during each stage of her life, the biography is rigorously researched and complete. Unlike typical academic prose, Marks' treatment is clear, engaging, and relatable, with a narrative that unfolds like a bestseller. Vivian Maier Developed relates the arc of the photographer's life to her body of work, illustrated with over 500 images, both favorites and unseen, offering an inspiring tale of a socially conscious, uniquely complex and highly talented woman.