Horace Brazelton was the first African-American to open a professional photography studio here in Chattanooga.
His specialty: portraits.
Brazelton documented middle-class families and individuals - as well as church, civic and professional groups - from Black communities during the first half of the 20th Century, the era of Jim Crow segregation across the South.
As a photographer, a business owner and a community leader, he empowered those he served.
An exhibit of his work - “Through the Lens: The Life and Legacy of Horace Brazelton” - is now on display at Ruby Falls, through September 15th.
Stefaine Haire - a historic preservation planner - curated the exhibit.
Lara Caughman is with Ruby Falls.
![One photo taken by Horace Brazelton in the “Through the Lens” exhibit at Ruby Falls.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6276156/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1455x2048+0+0/resize/880x1239!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F81%2F9b%2Fc2e995384f428d14bc579fec3ae5%2Fthrough-the-lens-b.jpg)
Ruby Falls
![Horace Brazelton.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c58ac45/2147483647/strip/true/crop/356x540+0+0/resize/880x1335!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fb5%2Faa314504493ea77dcc9a4f8e48cd%2Fhorace-brazelton.jpg)
Ruby Falls