Chester Higgins Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chester Higgins Jr.
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Higgins in 1994
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| Born | 1946 (age 78–79) Fairhope, Alabama, United States
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| Alma mater | Tuskegee Institute |
| Known for | Photography |
| Awards | International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum |
Chester Higgins Jr. (born in November 1946) is an American photographer. For over 40 years, he worked as a staff photographer for The New York Times. His photos often show the lives and cultures of people of African descent.
His work has appeared in many popular magazines. These include Look, Life, Time, and Newsweek. He has also published several books of his photography. Some well-known ones are Black Woman (1970) and Feeling the Spirit (1994). Others are Elder Grace (2000) and Echo of the Spirit (2004).
Contents
About Chester Higgins Jr.
Early Life and Education
Chester Higgins Jr. was born in Fairhope, Alabama. He grew up in New Brockton, Alabama. He went to Tuskegee Institute, which is now Tuskegee University. There, he learned a lot from the school's official photographer, P. H. Polk. Higgins finished college in 1970. He earned a degree in business management.
His Career in Photography
Higgins started working as a photographer for The New York Times in 1975. His photos have been shown in museums all over the world. A famous historian named Lonnie Bunch once said about Higgins: "He made photography more than just a record; he made it fine art."
Higgins's photos are part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. His work has also been in many books and magazines. These include Newsweek, Fortune, and Life.
Focus on African Culture
Higgins has traveled to the continent of Africa about 50 times. His first trip was to Senegal in 1971. Lonnie Bunch noted that Higgins captures Africa with "a spirit of hope." This spirit, Bunch believes, can also shape the experience of African Americans.
An article in the New York Amsterdam News said that Higgins's art shows his deep love for Black people. He hopes they will also have this love for themselves. In a 2023 interview, Higgins shared his goal. He said, "I've always used my camera to show how important people are." He added that his work comes from a love for his family and for people who share his experiences.
The Sacred Nile Project
In his book Sacred Nile, Higgins tells a story. It's about the ancient beginnings of spirituality in Africa. This story follows the River Nile. It starts in the mountains of Kush (now Ethiopia). It goes through Nubia (Sudan) and ends in the ancient land of Kemet (Egypt). This project explores the roots of the Biblical world.
Awards and Recognition
In 2022, Chester Higgins Jr. was honored. He was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. This is a very special award for photographers.
Published Books
Chester Higgins Jr. has published several books of his photography. These books share his unique view of the world.
- Black Woman, 1970. This book shows the universal experience of women. It also highlights the special experience of being Black in the 1960s.
- Drums of Life, 1974. This book explores the universal experience of men. It also looks at what it meant to be Black in the 1970s.
- Some Time Ago, 1980. This book is a historical look at Black people in the United States. It covers the years between 1850 and 1950.
- Feeling The Spirit: Searching the World for the People of Africa, 1994. This book is a portrait of the African Diaspora. It shows people of African descent around the world.
- Elder Grace: The Nobility of Aging, 2000. This book celebrates the beauty and wisdom of older people.
- Echo of the Spirit: A Photographer’s Journey, 2004. This book shares Higgins's personal journey as a photographer.
- Sacred Nile, 2021. This book explores the spiritual history along the Nile River.
