Her Story: Sharon Farmer (June 10, 1951) was the first African-American woman to be hired as a White House photographer and the first African American and first female to be Director of the White House Photography.

Sharon Camille Farmer was born in Washington, DC and attended Ohio State University where she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She started her career in 1974 shooting album covers. Her freelance photography transitioned to photojournalism. She has worked as a photographer for the Smithsonian Institute, The Washington Post, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 

In 1993, Sharon Farmer was hired as a White House photographer to cover President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, making her the very first African-American woman to hold this position. Later, Farmer was promoted to Director of White House Photography and became the first African American and the first woman to hold this position. Farmer’s work has been included in multiple exhibits, including: “Songs of My People,” “Art against AIDS,” “Gospel in the Projects,” and “Our View of Struggle.” 

Sharon Farmer has been making photographic images for more than 40 years, she has broken barriers and smashed glass ceilings. She is a legend in the industry and has earned her place in American history. Celebrate Her Story!