Florestine perrault collins biography of williams

Florestine Perrault Collins was an American photographer based in New Orleans. Out of 101 African-American women who identified themselves as photographers in the 1920 U.S.

Census, Collins was the only one in the New Orleans area.

Life and career

Collins was born to parents who were free people of color and her father had a well-paying job, but as the oldest child of six, she had to discontinue her formal education to help add to the family’s income.

Florestine perrault collins biography of williams

She began to photograph at the age of 14 (1909). Her subjects ranged from weddings, communions, and graduations to returning soldiers.

At the beginning of her career, Collins had to pass as white to be able to assist photographers.

By the time she opened her own studio, she did not have to hide her race and photographed African-American families. She gained a loyal following and had success, due to both her photography skills and marketing skills through advertising in newspapers and playing up the sentimentality of a well-done