Born in 1864, Frances Benjamin Johnston became one of the first female photographers to make a name for herself in the industry. Though her work was largely forgotten for decades, Johnston’s body of work speaks for itself and has once again been “discovered.” Considered a bit bohemian, she walked the line between professional and artist. Just the fact that she was a woman who took photos for a living was a radical notion. In a lucky turn of events she was given, by a close family friend, George Eastman, of the Eastman Kodak company, her first camera.

Self-portrait of Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1896. Via/ Library of Congress
Via/ Library of Congress
Via/ Library of Congress
Via/ Library of Congress
Susan B. Anthony portrait by Johnston circa 1900. Via/ Library of Congress
Via/ Library of Congress
President McKinley and his cabinet. Via/ Library of Congress
Via/ Library of Congress

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