Kim O. Davis

Disfarmer: Man Behind the Camera Kim O. Davis First edition

This is a biography of Mike Disfarmer, the internationally famous portrait photographer from Heber Springs, Arkansas. Disfarmer died in relative obscurity in 1959 at the age of 75 in a small town in Arkansas. His timeless photographs can now be found in photography museums, exhibitions and private collections in the United States, Canada and Europe. Quite a change in status for these photographs from such humble beginnings. Several outstanding books have been published containing his thought-provoking and soul-searching photography. He is the subject of a documentary film, a puppet play and the inspiration for music. Despite the volume of work on Disfarmer, many significant questions have remained unanswered about his life and his photography. It is the intent of this biography to answer many of these lingering questions and to shed new light on Disfarmer?s life, his psyche and how the confluence of these influenced his photography. This book is not focused solely on his photographs however, many of Disfarmer?s photographs and those of other photographers are presented herein to illustrate his life and times. Some of these photographs have never been seen by the public. I have spent two years researching many aspects of Disfarmer's life in an attempt to construct a more fact-based account of his life story. This research has included discussions with surviving descendants of Disfarmer's deceased siblings, gathering and examining family photos -- many of which were made by Disfarmer or were of Disfarmer, genealogy research including family genealogy materials, study of numerous publications on Disfarmer, and visits to regional museums and libraries. Based on my extensive research, I will layout documented facts about Disfarmer's life and will draw conclusions or suppositions that fill in gaps in Disfarmer's life and answer some of the lingering questions about his life and photography.