Ghana | Chester Higgins: Girl From Tamale

Tamale, Ghana. 1973

of note continues its FOCUS series with photographer Chester Higgins, Jr.

of note: Can you take us through this image? What was the story behind capturing it?

Chester Higgins: It was early one morning in the northern town of Tamale in Ghana. I took a walk to the local bus station. I lingered, leaning against the wall and watching the rush as people jumped into and off open busses. Using the camera lens, I scanned and waited, and then among the throng, this little young girl appeared. Using body language, I asked her to stop so that I could photograph her. She complied. Because of her age and spirit, she reminded me of my young daughter, Nataki, left behind in Brooklyn. When I noticed her plucked eyebrows, I suddenly imagined her at the center of a big loving family.

Read more