{One of the author photos taken of me by Jerry Bauer, 1998, in the lobby of the Harbourfront Hotel, Toronto.}
(NOTE: A number of people have contacted me wanting to find out how to contact Jerry’s estate in order to get permission to use one of his photographs. I’m sorry to say that I simply do not know. If you succeed in getting this information, please contact me.)
On a writers’ on-line chat group, I found out that writer photographer Jerry Bauer died almost two years ago. A number of us didn’t know! Warm testimonials poured forth.
Searching for Jerry Bauer
I assumed that when I Googled Jerry Bauer’s name, a zillion links would come up — but this proved not to be the case. He’s almost invisible. With considerable difficulty (compounded by the existence of other photographers with his name), I found the dates of his birth and death (in New York): May 8, 1934 – July 19, 2010. There was no notice that I could find, no obituary, only a blog post by author Neal Asher about having been contacted by a member of the family wishing a note to be read at Jerry’s funeral.
A Google image search, of course, showed more: here.
Jerry Bauer’s signature style
His signature style was to work in black and white (usually), with natural light (of which he was the master), and to take a candid photo.
He was so eccentric, he made me feel at ease. I became his buddy instantly. As the camera clicked, he chatted on and on, revealing intimate details regarding his health, problems his friends were having in Cuba, the challenges of his dual-life in Rome and New York.
I felt that because he had been sent a distance to photograph me (and by my German publisher, no less), I had somehow arrived. His portfolio, which he immediately showed me, confirmed that. It included one writerly luminary after another.
A few examples:
{Above, but not necessarily in order: Patricia Highsmith, Samuel Beckett, Joyce Carol Oates, William Trevor, Geraldine Brooks.}
I remember being concerned about “my neck.” (I was only 54. Little did I know about necks.) He said not to worry: “I’ll take it out!”
Author Lynne Griffin wrote a charming account of Jerry (here). Arranging to meet, he told her: “Let me tell you how you will know me. On a good day, I am Elton John. On a bad day, I am Woody Allen.”
That about sums it up!
RIP, Jerry Bauer, wherever you are. I am honoured to have been photographed by you.
Still searching for a contact at the Jerry Bauer estate. The one you give at gmail does not reply to enquiries. Have you any more recent leads?
His portrait of you is luminous.
Thank you, Richard. That photo of me was taken 24 years ago (!), but I remember the moment clearly. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any information, and I’ve taken that gmail off the site. Sorry to be almost a year responding! Let me know if you had any luck finding the Jerry Bauer estate. He lived in Rome, so there might be leads there … but how to find even one? I just Googled, and this online gallery sells his work — so who do they send money to? https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Jerry-Bauer/9A373E4651D180BF
I hoped to meet Jerry Bauer when writing my biography of double Booker winner J.G. Farrell. His photo of Farrell (for which he promptly gave permission from a distance) was as sensitive as it was penetrating. Now, through this elegaic post, I’m sad to learn of his modest death in 2010. Jerry’s captioned photo is still the one most often chosen for articles today, confirming Farrell in the top league for posterity. For readers everywhere, Jerry Bauer’s unique legacy of literary celebrities captured at a fleeting moment in time deserves to become a major book – one, this time, of his own.
I agree, Lavinia. A book of Jerry Bauer’s work would be wonderful—if only it were possible to contact his estate. Have you had any luck with this? A number of people have contacted me trying to do so, but without success.
Im writing a life of Jean Rhys and have found in some unpublished letters that Jerry’s photos, taken in 1971, were the ones she really liked. She was extremely picky about photographs and usually hated them Sadly, I’ve found no trace of these photos
What an interesting project, and how heartbreaking not to be able to find those photos! It’s frustrating how hard it is for people to contact Jerry’s family, much less his estate. There needs to be an archive of his work.
I am a member of Jerry Bauer’s family. Sadly, it has taken years and the estate is still not resolved. However, it is still possible to purchase his photos (we are working with at least one agency to be able to satisfy this need).
If you are interested, you can contact .
I want to thank Sandra for this lovely post – your words are very touching. It is true there was very little acknowledgement of Jerry when he passed away, so it means a lot to hear from someone who knew him and appreciated him. His photos are truly exquisite and timeless.
Thank you so much for letting me know. I will post the information in the post, so that if others come looking, they will know who to contact. He was a wonderful photographer.
Dear Bauer Family,
I am a UK-based scholar, attempting to get in touch with the Jerry Bauer Estate to obtain permission to publish some of this photographs of Muriel Spark in an academic essay on the British novelist. I would be extremely grateful if you could contact me on , if you can, to discuss details.
Many thanks,
Monica Germana
University of Westminster, London, UK
Dear Monica,
A number of people have contacted me, trying to track down the Bauer family and/or estate. I suggest you email the contact in the post above. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Sandra Gulland
Dear family of Jerry Bauer: I have been appointed Editor of the Letters of Muriel Spark. As you will know, Muriel was close to Jerry and was frequently photographed by him. I am presuming that she also wrote to him. Would you know if there are letters from Muriel in Jerry’s papers? And if there are, as I imagine to be the case, would it be possible for me to obtain scans/photographs of these?
Thanks for your attention.
Dan Gunn
Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English
The American University of Paris
I had dinner with Gerda and Dean Koontz yesterday and we spoke about Jerry Bauer who did some amazing pictures of Dean. So nice to find this page and see how everyone speaks so highly about a really great photographer.
/Thomas (Photographer in Los Angeles).
Yes, Jerry was a brilliant photographer. He didn’t use a makeup artist, no lights, just his camera and a profound understanding of light. I remember him showing me his Dean Koontz photographs. He was quite proud of them.
Sandra, I am so pleased your post has shown up on Google! I am the “other” Jerry Bauer that contacted you a few months ago about locating the “MASTER”. I regret never having the chance to meet tho original “Jerry Bauer”. I continue to receive numerous (3 last week) requests for his work but I have no idea how to handle them. If you can advise me how to forward them to his estate or, if because of his demise, they now become “public domain” I would appreciate any info you can provide. I feel badly the fees are not being passed on for his great portraits. Thank You for this post.
Dear Jerry, Forgive me for getting my Jerry Bauers confused! The only hint of a contact I could find is the author by author Neal Asher who wrote a blog (linked in my blog post) about being contacted by the family. If you wrote to him, he might be able to help. Good luck!
Thank you for this post. I am another “jerry bauer photographer” and I often receive the other jerry bauer’s photo request as he never wanted to do a web page, thus people saw my web page looking for him. I am in Puerto Rico he was in Rome. I had been communicating with him for several years, although we never met, and about 2 yrs ago all communications stopped. I have been searching for him since and now I know why. Very sorry to hear this news and that I never had the chance to meet him. He did some great work. RIP.
Jerry, how moving. He was such a special guy! Quite a character. Thank you so much for commenting.
I know, Stephanie — it’s rather sad! Too bad your German publisher’s plans fell through, but what a treat to at least meet him.
I really like this photo of you. How nice of you to devote a moment of your time to remember your friend Jerry. I really enjoyed reading the article and seeing the other photos.
Thank you, Janet!
You look ethereal! And in good company in his portfolio. I always wanted Barney to do a B&W portrait of me (with my clothes on, in case anyone is wondering) and now it is forever too late…
Thank you, Johanna! Photos from more than a decade ago always look good. I’m happy I did get Barney photos — wonderfully eccentric ones. I should post them, and give him a memorial notice, as well. It is a pity you didn’t get one by him, especially since you were so close. Are there any up-and-coming photographers in the neighbourhood now?