Throughout Diane's life, she was one of americas best known photographers and also most controversial photographers. Best known as "Photographers of freaks." Diane would frequently visit freak shows, bodybuilding competitions, youth gang meetings, and beauty contests. Here, Diane would find those who were outcasted and live on the margins of society. She commonly used the word "Freaks" not as a degrading statement to these people, but to call them arisitocrats. The people behind her photography don't have to dread through life wondering what may happen, it has already happened to them. Throughout this time period in Diane's life, she published in magazines and personal projects gaining more attention. In 1967, she displayed her firsr museum exhibit at the Museum of modern art. The exhibit featured her ceremony photgraphs, candid portraits and street photgraphy. This was at the height of Diane Arbus's career. 

Docent Story 

Diane Arbus was born in New York City in 1923. Diane was born into a lavish lifestyle. Her parents were very wealthy for the time period and Diane was shielded from world conflicts that others could not avoid like the Great Depression and World War II. Diane's experience of privelige was humiliating in her eyes, almost like she had a bubble around her protecting herself from trouble. Diane believed she hasn't been tested against adversity, so she sought it out in the world around her. Diane found that in her photgraphy. After leaving her family behind, she created a new type of photography that no one has seen before and it becomes very popularized and controversial. Her work portrayed a sympathy to the viewer. It displayed an affection to the photograph she took and gives a new idea to the viewer. Diane's work "Young man and his pregnant wife in Washington Square Park." gives us that representation she was trying to display to us. The couple, one being a black man and the white women who is pregnant gives us the feeling a sympathy when thinking about what is happening in that photo. In 1971, Diane took her own life by ingesting lethal sedatives and cutting her wrists. Her photography was celebrated by it's compassion that she gave to the viewer. 

"Biography of Diane Arbus." The Art Story.  Diane Arbus Biography, Life & Quotes | TheArtStory Accessed Mar 29. 2022

"Diane Arbus: One of Americas best known and most inspiratioanal photographer." ISO 1200 Magazine. Diane Arbus: One of America’s best Known and Most Inspirational Photographer - Blog Photography Tips - ISO 1200 Magazine. Accessed Mar 29. 2022

"Diane Arbus Biography." Biography Editors Diane Arbus - Death, Photography & Facts - Biography. Accessed Mar 29. 2022