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Image: A woman in a party dress walks towards a car in Miami, 1957.

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Vivian Maier: The Intentional Work of the Photographer Nanny

New research reveals Maier's photography was no accident. The Chicago nanny was reportedly 'obsessive' about perfecting her practice.

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Image: A woman stands outside the New York Public Library in New York, 1953.

A woman stands outside the New York Public Library in New York, 1953.

A new book, "Vivian Maier Developed: The Real Story of the Photographer Nanny" by researcher Ann Marks, shows that Maaier was actually "obsessive about honing her craft" from as early as 1950, and had "so mastered photography [that] she often took just one shot to capture streetscape images heralded by critics more than five decades later," according to the Associated Press. 

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: One of the first photographs Maier took as she began to teach herself photography while visiting France, around 1950.

One of the first photographs Maier took as she began to teach herself photography while visiting France, around 1950.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: Maier in a self-portrait in a round mirror in New York, 1955.

Maier looks in a mirror while taking a self-portrait in New York, 1955.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: Sailors stand in Chicago's Union Station, 1961.

Sailors stand in Chicago's Union Station, 1961.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: Nuns on New York's Fifth Avenue, circa 1960s.

Nuns walk down New York's Fifth Avenue, circa 1960s.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A newsstand vendor in New York, 1954.

A newsstand vendor sleeps in New York, 1954.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A girl with a soiled face at an unknown location, circa 1950s.

A girl with a soiled face stands at an unknown location, circa 1950s.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A couple argues on a Chicago street, circa 1960s.

A couple argues on a Chicago street, circa 1960s.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A police officer arrests two suspects on Christmas Eve in New York, 1953.

A police officer arrests two suspects on Christmas Eve in New York, 1953.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: Maier in a self-portrait on a beach in New York's Staten Island, 1954.

Maier sits for a self-portrait on a beach in New York's Staten Island, 1954.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A man does a headstand in front of a poster advertising a strip show in New York, 1953.

A man does a headstand in front of a poster advertising a strip show in New York, 1953.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A couple rides in a horse-drawn carriage in New York, 1953.

A couple rides in a horse-drawn carriage in New York, 1953.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: A woman in a party dress walks towards a car in Miami, 1957.

A woman in a party dress walks towards a car in Miami, 1957.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
Image: Maier in a self-portrait as she looks into a storefront in New York.

Maier takes a self-portrait as she looks into a storefront in New York.

— Vivian Maier / Estate of Vivian Maier and John Maloof Collection via AP
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