From collection Eliot Elisofon Collection
Eliot Elisofon Self-Portrait 1
Photographer Eliot Elisofon poses with his Rolleiflex Camera by an elaborately carved setting for large bells. A large tent is set up behind him.
Photojournalist Eliot Elisofon (1911-1973) traveled the world to capture ground-breaking images of people. Born to Jewish immigrants from Poland and Latvia, Eliot grew up in the Lower East side of New York City and taught himself how to take and develop photographs. After running a successful commercial photography studio, Eliot worked for LIFE Magazine where his photos were published for over two decades. Eliot Elisofon taught at several universities, published a variety of books on diverse subjects, and consulted on color film with directors in Hollywood. He also painted, collected art, and loved to cook. Eliot spent summers on the island of Vinalhaven with his daughters Elin and Jill and their mom, Joan Baker Spear, his second wife.
He used his photography to help others, shedding light on the lives of marginalized people. Eliot Elisofon said, “Art, to be true art, must grow out of human beings, and it must help human beings live a better and fuller life. It must extend the field of feeling and vision we are born with.”
Kilcer, Nathaniel. “Five Lifetimes Already” All-American Volume 20 (East Greenwich, Rhode Island: Little Bear Press, 2020)
When Photographer Eliot Elisofon was not traveling the world taking photos for LIFE Magazine, he came to Vinalhaven, Maine to rest and recoup. Eliot bought a farmhouse near Crockett Cove on Vinalhaven in 1941, built by Joel and Mary Jane Philbrook in 1843.
Daughter Elin writes, “My father always said his favorite place on earth was Vinalhaven and he meant it. Wherever he was, he was counting the days until he could return to the island. Here he would 'recharge his batteries' from grueling trips to Africa, Asia, the Pacific, or from battles with the publishers and editors he had to constantly prod into sharing his passion and understanding his vision. In Vinalhaven he could relax, soak up the beauty of the place, plant trees, flowers, and vegetables, paint in his studio, cook, and develop the lifelong friendships he treasured."
Elisofon, Elin. FEAST. (Vinalhaven, Maine: April, 1992)
These images are personal photographs taken by Eliot Elisofon on Vinalhaven and were not published during his lifetime.
