The George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York, has opened a new exhibit in its collection gallery that explores how photography has been taught and passed down across generations. The exhibit combines historical works with nearly 900 recently acquired pieces, highlighting the role of family-run portrait studios and the intergenerational transfer of photographic knowledge and practice.
This exhibit matters because it reframes photography not just as an art form but as a craft and tradition transmitted through families and mentors, offering a deeper understanding of how photographic skills and aesthetics evolve over time. It also underscores the museum's growing ambition, as it pursues plans to open a second location in Los Angeles.