Portrait Photography in Senegal: Using Local Case Studies from Saint Louis and Podor, 1839–1970

Senegalese photographers actively appropriated and developed portrait photography from the 1850s, creating culturally specific practices distinct from Western models. This study highlights their role in shaping photographic history, contrasting with narratives that prioritize European or North American interpretations. Through oral testimonies and archival research—including interviews conducted in Saint-Louis in 2013—the work challenges universalist approaches by emphasizing local contexts, such as the métis community's influence on studio practices. It also addresses preservation challenges, noting the fragility of early photographic records due to climate, lack of funding, and deliberate destruction. The research underscores how Senegalese photographers, like Adama Sylla, used portraits for social documentation, blending colonial and local traditions in ways that reflect broader African photographic histories.

Evans, C. (2015). Portrait Photography in Senegal: Using Local Case Studies from Saint Louis and Podor, 1839–1970. African Arts, 48(3), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1162/afar_a_00236