Vivian Dorothea Maier was a nanny for forty years. Unknown to her family, friends and employers, even the kids she had babysat, Vivian was an amazing street photographer.

She took over 150,000 photographs, documenting many interesting marvels of America in the second half of the 20th century.

Later in life, Vivian struggled financially and one of her lockers on her apartment was auctioned off. Inside was a massive collection of her negatives that led to the discovery of her amazing photographic talent.

Here are some of the best of her shots:

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

A traveler, Vivian bounced between the US and Europe before finally settling in NYC in 1951.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

In 1956, she went to Chicago where she later spent the rest of her life working as a caregiver.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

In 1959 and 1960, Vivian traveled the world on her own. She captured wonderful photos of LA, India, Syria, Italy, Egypt, Manila, Bangkok, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian was born in New York to an Austrian father, Charles Maier, and French mother, Maria Jaussaud. She lived a very private life, many details of which still remain unknown to this day.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Soon after Vivian's death in 2009, John Maloof, a Chicago collector and historian started posting scans of Vivian's photographic negatives online.

Vivian Maier

The collection garnered worldwide critical acclaim and massive interest from many collectors and artists.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian's photos have been exhibited throughout the world; in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Her life and work became the subject of many books and documentaries.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Here are some of her color photographs, just as beautiful as the black and whites ones.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

“Well, I suppose nothing is meant to last forever. We have to make room for other people. It’s a wheel. You get on, you have to go to the end. And then somebody has the same opportunity to go to the end and so on.” Vivian Maier.

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier

A photo of Vivian's bathroom which doubles as a darkroom (left). Some of Vivian's cameras (right).

Vivian Maier

Self-portrait

Vivian Maier

For more info and more amazing photos, visit Vivian Maier's official website.