Rollie McKenna

Born in Texas in 1918, Rollie McKenna began her photographic career at the age of 30, when she purchased her first camera on a visit to Paris. Her interest in portrait photography came from taking pictures of London-based writers and artists for the Poetry Center in New York where she held her first solo exhibition. She almost never uses a studio, preferring instead to photograph her subjects in a more natural environment, and this results in relaxed, informal and unforced images, capturing the very essence of those who sit for her.

She has held group and solo exhibitions around the world and has contributed to many publications including Vogue, Time, Life, Harper's Bazaar, Mademoiselle and The Observer.