Dorothea Lange was born on May 26, 1895, in Hoboken, New Jersey. She was the second of three children in her family. Her father left the family when she was just twelve years old, leaving her mother to raise the children on her own. Despite the challenges she faced, Lange was a determined and ambitious young woman.
Lange attended Columbia University, where she studied photography and developed a passion for capturing the world around her. After graduating, she began working as a portrait photographer in New York City, honing her skills and building a reputation for her talent behind the lens.
It was during the Great Depression that Lange's career would truly take off. In the 1930s, Lange traveled across the United States, capturing the devastation and hardship faced by millions of Americans during this tumultuous time. Her photographs documented the struggles of the working poor, migrant workers, and displaced families, providing a stark and powerful visual record of the era.
One of Lange's most famous photographs from this period is "Migrant Mother." This iconic image shows a mother and her children living in a makeshift camp during the Great Depression. While many believe the photo to be a candid shot, it was actually staged by Lange, who asked the woman to pose for the image. Despite its posed nature, "Migrant Mother" remains a powerful symbol of the hardships faced by ordinary Americans during the Great Depression.
Lange's work during the Great Depression garnered her widespread acclaim and recognition. In 2003, she was posthumously inducted into California's Hall of Fame by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, honoring her contributions to documentary photography and social justice. Her photographs continue to inspire and educate viewers around the world, shining a light on the struggles of the past and reminding us of the resilience and strength of the human spirit.
Throughout her career, Lange remained committed to using her photography as a tool for social change, shining a light on the injustices and inequities of society. Her work remains as relevant and powerful today as it was during the Great Depression, a testament to the enduring impact of her art and activism.
Despite the challenges she faced in her personal life, Lange remained dedicated to her work and her passion for photography. She was known for her compassion and empathy towards her subjects, often forming deep connections with the individuals she photographed. Lange's legacy as a pioneering documentary photographer and social activist continues to inspire generations of artists and activists to this day.