10 Black Photographers Who Shaped American History1 James Van Der Zee. Early Life. The Harlem Renaissance.2 Ernest Withers. Early Life. Life In Memphis.3 Carrie Mae Weems. Early Life. ... 4 Gordon Parks. Early Life. ... 5 Michelle V. Agins. ... 6 Don Hogan Charles. The Civil Rights Era South.7 Lorna Simpson.8 P.H. Polk. Honesty & Dignity.