Molly Low Photograph Collection, 1984-1992 (MSS 708)

The Molly Low Photograph Collection contains contact sheets, negatives and gelatin silver prints, ranging in size from 8x8 in. to 16x20 in. The images, mainly portraits, span several series including "Images of Aging," "Hidden Faces of La Jolla," "Teens at Risk," "Women in Recovery," and "Story of a Marriage." With the exception of "Story of a Marriage," all original photographs feature captions which tell the story of the sitter in his or her own words.

Low's first portrait series, "Images of Aging," documents the lives of residents in retirement and nursing homes. "Story of a Marriage" depicts staged scenes of a couple involved in the various seasons and trials of married life. This series was completed in 1987 and consists of gelatin silver prints and negatives. "Hidden Faces of La Jolla: Portraits of Black San Diegans" records the dwindling African-American community of La Jolla in 1989 and 1990. Materials in this series include contact sheets, gelatin silver prints and negatives. The "Teens at Risk" project chronicles the progress of teenagers in the San Diego based Summit School Program, 1990-1991. Portraits of the program's probationary officers also feature in this series. Materials consist of contact sheets, gelatin silver prints and negatives. The series "Women in Recovery" was commissioned by the San Diego Department of Health Services in 1992 to inspire hope for recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. The portrait series was then exhibited around the county and published in a book, distributed to at-risk women. Materials include gelatin silver prints and negatives.

A small number of contact sheets, which appear unrelated to any of the above series, can be found in a folder labeled "Miscellaneous projects."