Sally Mann is talkative and open about almost any topic you can think of. The photographer gets easily swept up in conversation, finding it hard not to share stories—whether it’s about her friend’s mother who had a lobotomy, or the time the poet Forrest Gander dropped by unannounced, which sparked a lifelong friendship.
Her warm, trusting nature seems at odds with her 74 years and her brief but intense experience at the center of a culture war storm—more on that later. Speaking via video call from her cherished farm in Lexington, Virginia, she chats with me as if we’re old friends, tossing out witty remarks and only occasionally holding back, though her internal filter often kicks in a bit too late. All this energy fuels a deep curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a restless nature that have earned her recognition as one of today’s most influential photographers.
Mann was born in Lexington in 1951 and has described herself as a “near-feral” child—the youngest of three in a bohemian family, she hardly wore clothes until she was five. Her father, a country doctor, gave her her first camera. In school, she emerged from the darkroom “ecstatic” with the results.
She gradually built a respected following for her atmospheric photos that capture the soul of the American South. But in 1992, she was thrust into the national spotlight with the release of her third book, Immediate Family. The book was a tribute to life with her husband, Larry, and their three young children on the farm, filled with striking black-and-white images that blended ethereal beauty, intimate love, and raw honesty.
Looking at Immediate Family can feel like peeking into private family moments. In one photo, The Perfect Tomato, her daughter Jessie appears like an angel, dancing naked on a picnic table under overexposed light. It’s a stunning image, but it—and others like it—stirred strong reactions. After the book’s release, Mann faced a flood of criticism. She was called an unfit mother, accused of producing child pornography, criticized in the New York Times, and even stalked. Though opinions have softened over time as her work has been reevaluated, the controversy hasn’t entirely faded. Recently, The Perfect Tomato was among five photos seized by police at an exhibition in Texas after catching the attention of religious conservatives.
Mann doesn’t shy away from controversy and resists any attempt to limit her artistic expression. “What’s the risk of being honest?” she asks. “Other than ridicule, which I’m used to.” Still, she admits she might not publish Immediate Family today, noting that the internet has changed how people connect, creating parasocial relationships that complicate things.
“My family pictures turned out to be an unexpected risk,” she reflects. “They made people feel like they knew us. A lot of people think they know you because you’ve made yourself available through your work.””It’s already printed. It’s done.”
As our time together comes to a close, Mann appears genuinely disappointed. When I wrap up by asking if there’s anything else she’d like to add—explaining that it’s common to do so, since people often hold something back—she immediately responds, “I never hold anything back.” She’s probably right about that.
Art Work: On the Creative Life by Sally Mann is published by Particular Books on 18 September (£25). To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs I Never Hold Back Sally Mann on Her Family Photographs and Writing Journey
1 Who is Sally Mann
Sally Mann is a renowned American photographer and writer best known for her intimate and sometimes controversial blackandwhite photographs of her family
2 What are her provocative family photographs
These are photos often featuring her children that explore themes like childhood vulnerability and the passage of time Some people found them controversial due to their raw and personal nature
3 Why did her family photos cause controversy
Some viewers felt the images which occasionally showed her children nude or in emotionally intense situations crossed boundaries or could be misinterpreted
4 What does I never hold back refer to
It reflects Manns approach to her artshe creates honestly and fearlessly without censoring her personal or creative expression
5 How did Sally Mann transition into writing
After decades in photography she began writing to explore her life memories and creative process in greater depth leading to her memoir Hold Still
6 What is her memoir Hold Still about
Its a deeply personal book that combines family history reflections on her photography and stories about her life in the American South
7 What inspired her to start writing
Mann wanted to contextualize her photographic work and share the stories behind her images and her familys experiences
8 Are her photographs and writing connected
Yes both explore themes of memory identity and the complexities of family life Her writing often provides background and insight into her photographic subjects
9 What can beginners learn from Sally Manns approach
To create art with honesty and courage and to embrace personal subjects even if they feel vulnerable or challenging
10 How does she handle criticism about her work
Mann acknowledges the controversy but stands by her artistic vision emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her creative process
11 What techniques does she use in her photography
She often works with largeformat cameras and alternative processes like wet plate collodion giving her images a timeless textured quality
12 Does she still take family photographs
While she is less focused on her children as subjects now her earlier family work remains central to her legacy
