The May 2008 issue of Dwell has a two-page interview with Pedro Guerrero, Frank Lloyd Wright’s photographer (and Alexander Caler’s and Louise Nevelson’s). If you are a Dwell hater, or are easily annoyed by high-income, urban-residing, black-wearing, twenty-something hipsters, the short interview probably isn’t worth the $5.99 cover price.
But Guerrero is extremely talented and he had a unique opportunity to document Wright’s final two decades of work. His own story, told with astounding modesty, is fascinating.
Cortez could not have been more startled at finding the world of the Aztecs than I was when I was shown around Taliesin West for the first time. It was a stunning sculpture of redwood, stone and canvas.
Guerrrero’s own autobiography/photography book Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey with Frank Lloyd Wright, Alexander Calder, and Louise Nevelson is worth a look, mostly because he’s led one hell of an interesting life — a great photos in the book are just a nice bonus.
If you aren’t familiar with Guerrero’s work, many of his now-iconic images can be seen on his website — including the famous “Hands” sequence.
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It occurred to me at one point that it would be really interesting if an exhibition could ever be put together of the photographers who got, or made, their careers photographing FLLW buildings; and what they thought of photographing these buildings. Guerrero, Edmund Teske, and the Hedrich brothers are the ones who came to mind. I would be interested to know what it is about Wright buildings that are interesting for photographers. Is it the light, the space, the fact that they are photographing “famous buildings”?
Just a thought.
Ezra Stoller also.
I’ve thought about Ezra Stoller, but I don’t know how established his career was when he first photographed Wright’s work.
A great photographer and Pedro is a one of the nicest people on the planet. I have stopped in to see him on a number of occasions at his home in Florence, AZ. He’s generous with his time and always up for good conversation. Next time you are in Arizona I would encourage you to call…He’s in the book.