The late Vivian Maier [an American] worked as a nanny simply because she wanted free lodgings and disliked factory work, she was also a very talented but unknown street photographer who owned a Rolleiflex camera. Naturally all her portraits were shot from the waist which gave the images an interesting angle. (o:

Practically all her work was candid shots of people in the street which didn't necessarily flatter them, but always made for a fascinating image. Between 1959 and 1960 Vivian went on a world tour and came home with an arsenal of negatives!

Vivian died aged 83 in 2009 and her many photographs [mainly negatives] were auctioned off as job lots, this led to her discovery. She lived a bit of a sad life and her talent was only discovered after her death similar to Vincent Van Gogh, people who knew her well think she would have loathed public recognition.

Enough of the gabbing you can see some of her work here at a dedicated website, apparently her photographs are seen as a good financial investment and of course have become fascinating historical records. Btw if you've enjoyed her work your find the documentary film Finding Vivian Maier equally engrossing, having seen it myself I can certainly recommend it. (o:

Phil, I found this a very interesting link, she was most talented. I love that her outstanding photography is being shared. Thank you for letting me know about this. tigz

I watched the documentary, Phlossie. I thought it should have won the Oscar instead of Citizenfour.

Watched the film awhile back with my niece Phlossie, it's an intimate and fascinating story of an eccentric that people will enjoy. I've seen a lot of characters like that in my time!