The American Snapshot: A Talk by Peter Bosco

Friday, September 12th, 2025, 6pm
@ VCP, 10 Green Street, Brattleboro, VT

VCP member and photographer Peter Bosco will join us on Friday, September 12th at 6pm for a talk titled The American Snapshot: Artifacts of Time. Through images, stories, and open discussion, Peter will explore the cultural and artistic legacy of snapshots from 1900–1960—what many consider the golden age of casual photography.

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Since its revelation in 1839, photography has been in constant evolution—technologically, conceptually, and culturally. The arrival of the miniature, hand-held camera marked a turning point, not just in how photographs were made, but in how we saw and engaged with the world.

Before that, photography relied on bulky, large-format cameras that produced formal, often stiff images. But with a camera now in the hand rather than on a tripod, photography became more spontaneous, more personal—fluid instead of fixed.

These nimble tools helped launch photojournalism and fueled experimental new ways of making images. Techniques flowed between seasoned professionals and emerging hobbyists, blurring boundaries and creating space for a new visual language.

Snapshots, in many ways, are acts of holding on—capturing people, places, and fleeting moments before they slip away. Each “click” becomes a cultural artifact, etched with memory, identity, and meaning.

Join us for an interactive conversation on the American Snapshot, 1900–1960—widely considered the golden age of the form. Your voice and curiosity are welcome.