Chester Higgins

Chester Higgins Jr. stands as an esteemed American photographer whose lens has skillfully captured the essence of life and culture among people of African descent. 

Biography of Chester Higgins

Chester Higgins Jr. was born in 1946. For over four decades, he served as a staff photographer with The New York Times, leaving an indelible mark on the field. His works graced the pages of prominent magazines such as Look, Life, Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Ebony, Essence, and Black Enterprise.

Originating from Fairhope, Alabama, Higgins's roots trace back to New Brockton, Alabama. His academic journey led him to Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), where the official photographer, P. H. Polk, became his mentor. Graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in business management, Higgins embarked on his photographic odyssey, joining The New York Times in 1975.

Higgins's connection with Africa runs deep, with approximately 50 visits to the continent since his inaugural trip to Senegal in 1971. 

In 2022, Chester Higgins Jr. received a well-deserved accolade by being included in the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, solidifying his enduring legacy in the realm of visual storytelling.