The late Morgan Smith was the twin brother of Marvin Smith. The Smiths were great photographers of the Harlem community in the early 1930's. Marvin Smith is continuing the legacy of what he and his brother began through a photographic exhibit that is presently showing pictures of the Harlem community at Schomburg Center, (a center for Research in Black Culture and part of the New York Public Library). The exhibit shows scenes of the communities, poverty, and other issues that occurred during this time period.

The Smith twins were born on February 16, 1910 in the small town of Nicholasville, Kentucky. Twelve years later Morgan Smith and his twin brother moved to the more populated Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington had more opportunities for the two twins and their family. They got their first jump start when a local photographer gave both brothers a camera. Morgan and Marvin had their first studio in the basement of the their home.

In 1934, Morgan and Marvin moved to Harlem, New York. They started to take photos around the Harlem community. They took photos of the first black police officer and farmers in the Harlem community. Other skills that the Smith brothers had perfected were sculpturing, mask making, painting and sewing. What they tried to do was to capture all of the different events that were happening in Harlem.

The Smith brothers were also the first photographers assigned to the newspaper The Amsterdam News. They also took photos for different magazines like McCall's and other local magazines. Since they were self-employed they received little pay.

Morgan Smith passed away in February 1993. Marvin Smith still struggles with the fact that he is not able to enjoy the rest of his life with his brother. Now 88 years old Marvin is retired from the life of photography. His advice to young people that want to become a photographer is to always believe in yourself, to look carefully at the scene and study it before you take the picture.

Morgan Smith (1910-1993)

Marvin Smith (1910- )