An Introduction to the Life and Still Photographs of Frances Hubbard Flaherty
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
8-3-2025 11:20 PM
Description
Dr. Betsy A. McLane, Author, Educator, Writer, Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.
An Introduction to the Life and Still Photographs of Frances Hubbard Flaherty
Frances Hubbard Flaherty (1883-1972) was a still photographer working in cinema at a time when few women were involved with documentary filmmaking. Frances dedicated her life to advancing the work and the myth of her husband, filmmaker Robert Flaherty, but she was a creative force in her own right. For over 30 years she made thousands of still images used to scout locations, make casting decisions, and record the production process for the iconic Flaherty films Moana: A Story of the South Seas (1926), Man of Aran (1934) and Louisiana Story (1948).
Frances’ photography has been eclipsed by the fame of her husband and the controversies that shadow their films. Many of the images she made are attributed to Robert. Frances was also the producer of all the Flaherty films, including the most famous, Nanook of the North (1922). It was she who was largely responsible for creating the “Flaherty Myth,” intentionally obscuring her own myriad contributions. Ultimately, late in her life, her portraits were recognized as fine art, but Frances’ role in the history of documentary and photography is largely unacknowledged.
Robert taught Frances photography. As a partner in life and in filmmaking Frances was essential to creating every Flaherty film and to enhancing his worldwide fame. Today, in addition to being a photographer, she would be called a film producer, responsible for finding funding, being on location, contributing to editing, supervising promotion, and interfacing between the artist Robert, and the commercial world. Her cosmopolitan background from a wealthy Boston family contrasted with and complemented Bob’s outdoorsy, roughhewn manner, but she loved the wilderness as he did, and, as was their practice, developed and printed many of her photograph on location.
Betsy A. McLane, Ph.D., is the author of A New History of Documentary Film. She was Executive Director of the International Documentary Association for 8 years. Dr. McLane was a member of the faculties of Loyola Marymount University, Emerson College, The University of Vermont, and Southern Oregon University, USA. She is a member of the Documentary Branch of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was the first woman President of the University Film and Video Association.
Relational Format
Conference proceeding
Recommended Citation
McLane, Betsy A., "An Introduction to the Life and Still Photographs of Frances Hubbard Flaherty" (2025). Women of Photography: A 24-Hour Conference-a-thon Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025. 67.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/womenofphotography/2025/schedule/67
An Introduction to the Life and Still Photographs of Frances Hubbard Flaherty
Dr. Betsy A. McLane, Author, Educator, Writer, Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.
An Introduction to the Life and Still Photographs of Frances Hubbard Flaherty
Frances Hubbard Flaherty (1883-1972) was a still photographer working in cinema at a time when few women were involved with documentary filmmaking. Frances dedicated her life to advancing the work and the myth of her husband, filmmaker Robert Flaherty, but she was a creative force in her own right. For over 30 years she made thousands of still images used to scout locations, make casting decisions, and record the production process for the iconic Flaherty films Moana: A Story of the South Seas (1926), Man of Aran (1934) and Louisiana Story (1948).
Frances’ photography has been eclipsed by the fame of her husband and the controversies that shadow their films. Many of the images she made are attributed to Robert. Frances was also the producer of all the Flaherty films, including the most famous, Nanook of the North (1922). It was she who was largely responsible for creating the “Flaherty Myth,” intentionally obscuring her own myriad contributions. Ultimately, late in her life, her portraits were recognized as fine art, but Frances’ role in the history of documentary and photography is largely unacknowledged.
Robert taught Frances photography. As a partner in life and in filmmaking Frances was essential to creating every Flaherty film and to enhancing his worldwide fame. Today, in addition to being a photographer, she would be called a film producer, responsible for finding funding, being on location, contributing to editing, supervising promotion, and interfacing between the artist Robert, and the commercial world. Her cosmopolitan background from a wealthy Boston family contrasted with and complemented Bob’s outdoorsy, roughhewn manner, but she loved the wilderness as he did, and, as was their practice, developed and printed many of her photograph on location.
Betsy A. McLane, Ph.D., is the author of A New History of Documentary Film. She was Executive Director of the International Documentary Association for 8 years. Dr. McLane was a member of the faculties of Loyola Marymount University, Emerson College, The University of Vermont, and Southern Oregon University, USA. She is a member of the Documentary Branch of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was the first woman President of the University Film and Video Association.
Comments
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