I thought this would be a good time to share more about Charles “Teenie” Harris (1908-1998). He was a photographer who captured the full-spectrum of African American life for over forty years, primarily as one of the principal photographers for the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper. Few photographers anywhere captured us so well: from family life to beauty contests to sporting events, social life, civil rights demonstrations and visiting celebrities, Mr. Harris was there with the Speed Graphic camera that he would use well into the 1970s.
Allyce Brookes was captured by photography legend Charles “Teenie” Harris playing a mirrored piano at Crawford Grill No. 2 room in Pittsburgh, sometime in the 1940s. I really wish I knew more about this woman. If you do, let me know in the comment section. Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art - Historic Pittsburgh Image Collection.
Barbara Smith (right) and another model pose for the legendary Pittsburgh photographer, Charles “Teenie” Harris, backstage at a fashion show around 1969. Barbara Smith would go on to a successful modeling career and become even better known as a restaurateur, lifestyle expert and entrepreneur, B. Smith. Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art/Heinz Family Fund.
Billy Eckstine and Lena Horne captured by the iconic photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris at the Loendi Club in Pittsburgh, October 1944. Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art.
Sarah Vaughan shot by Charles “Teenie” Harris with legendary Pittsburgh Courier reporter Frank Bolden (far left) and friends in an undated photo. I’m guessing late 1940s.
Eartha Kitt, snapped by Charles “Teenie” Harris in May 1966, leaping though a poster to launch a Citizens Committee on Hill District Renewal program on Vine and Colwell Streets in Pittsburgh, PA. Get thee to the Carnegie Museum of Art before April 7, 2012 people!
Stunning shot of Nina Simone by Pittsburgh photography icon Charles “Teenie” Harris, circa 1965.
Lena Horne snapped by Charles “Teenie” Harris doing her hair in her dressing room before a performance at the Stanley Theater in 1940s Pittsburgh.
Charles “Teenie” Harris (1908-1998) was a photographer who captured the full-spectrum of African American life for over forty years, primarily as one of the principal photographers for the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper. Few photographers anywhere captured us so well: from family life to beauty contests to sporting events, social life, civil rights demonstrations and visiting celebrities, Mr. Harris was there with the Speed Graphic camera that he would use well into the 1970s.
Teenie Harris, Photographer: An American Story is an exhibition of this icon’s work hosted by the Carnegie Museum of Art until April 7, 2012. If you don’t think you’ll make it to Pittsburgh in time, you can see some images from the exhibition here.
Marva Louis snapped by Charles “Teenie” Harris at a benefit fashion show in Pittsburgh in April 1938.
Mary Lou Harris snapped in a long tweed suit with polka dot blouse (circa 1930s) by the marvelous photography legend Charles “Teenie” Harris in Pittsburgh, PA.
