Her camera brought people together

Twenty-five years ago, photographer Shelia Turner pulled together nine African-American women photographers for an exhibit at an Atlanta gallery.

At a reception that night, the women decided that they wanted to continue to work together.

As a result, Sistagraphy, an organization of African-American women photographers, was born.

Turner, who lived in Union City, was its founder.

“She was very much about helping people and inspiring people to think outside the box and try different things with their photography,” said close friend and Atlanta photojournalist Susan Ross.

Turner, a noted photographer, social documentarian and educator, died Tuesday at age 56. Professionally, she preferred to have her name in lowercase letters.

Family and friends will gather at 3 p.m. today at the 10th Street entrance of Piedmont Park to celebrate Turner’s life. There will be remembrances and a balloon release in her honor. People are asked to bring lavender or white balloons.

Ross said Turner was one of the first photojournalists to document the growth and influence of the rap and blues scenes in Atlanta and captured an ever-changing city.

It was also important to her that the work of women be recognized along with that of their male peers.

Turner was interested in photography all of her life and got her first camera in high school, said sister Stephanie Adderley. She loved “bringing people together and photography allowed her that opportunity,” she added.

Her photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at Goethe-Institut Accra, Ghana; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Atlanta; and the University of Delaware in Wilmington.

Her work is also on permanent exhibition at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta and at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with expenses.

CONTRIBUTED BY SUSAN ROSS Photographer and founder of Sistagraphy, Shelia Turner, had her work shown at exhibits across the country and around the world.