“Through the Lens of Mark Stansbury” captures rare and extraordinary photographs when entertainers, civil rights leaders, presidents, and local icons made Memphis history.
Page after page of black-and-white photos tell fascinating stories of Memphis and the people who dominated news headlines. Stansbury was there with his camera to preserve each moment in time.
“I have always pushed others and encouraged them in their career and creative endeavors,” said Stansbury. “But many of these individuals I have supported over the years have been telling me it was time to display some of my many historical photos. As I thought about it, I had to agree with them.”
Stansbury said he went through hundreds and hundreds of photos, all with their own unique back story and distinct circumstances that brought back cherished memories during the photo-editing process.
“I have quite a few favorites because of the recollections that took me back to the moment,” said Stansbury.
“For instance, my photos of The Beatles were taken when I was one of only two photographers allowed in their dressing room. Another favorite is the photo of Myrlie Evers, wife of Medgar Evers, wiping tears from her son’s eyes at her husband’s funeral in Jackson, MS. That funeral photo was ‘The Week’s Best Photo’ in an issue of Jet Magazine.
The coffee table publication has shown exceptional promise with impressive sales at initial book signings. “Coffee table” genre, sometimes called “Cocktail table” is an oversized, hard cover book, generally a photo book with captions and brief stories explaining the photos.
Young entertainers and just regular people doing every day things made the cut.
“Through the Lens” comes less than one year behind Stansbury’s Juneteenth book release, “Beale Street Unforgotten,” co-authored by writer and publisher George C. Grant of GrantHouse Publishing.
“I was so pleased with the outcome,” said Stansbury. “As I reflect on those who helped me along the way, I must give credit for my many accomplishments to Dr. Ernest C. Withers and Mr. A.C. ‘Moohah,’ who I called ‘Daddy Williams.’”
Booker T. & The MGs, Elvis, Nat D. Williams, Lt. George Lee, Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Coach Larry Finch, Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, and Luther C. McClellan, the first African American to graduate from Memphis State University, all are in “Through the Lens of Mark Stansbury” and some are never-before-seen images of Memphis history.
(To order a copy of “Through the Lens of Mark Stansbury,” send email to: mstnsbry@gmail.com.)
