By the time he was thirty, Van Der Zee was a master photographer. His specialty was portraits, pictures of people. People liked Van Der Zee’s artistic photographs. He often touched up photographs so that people looked their best. Sometimes he added objects to the scene in the photograph.
Van Der Zee’s photographs are historical treasures. They show people and places of the Harlem Renaissance. The word renaissance means “rebirth” in French. It is used to describe an exciting, creative time in history.
The Harlem Renaissance happened mainly
during the 1920s. During this time, talented African Americans came to live and work in Harlem, a New York City neighborhood. Daytime or nighttime, Harlem was the place to be! Writers and artists shared their work at special events. Jazz musicians jammed, or played music, in nightclubs. People joined community groups to improve and enjoy their lives.
Many people wanted their pictures taken by James Van Der Zee! Van Der Zee said about his photographs: “I put my heart and soul into them.