Lillian Elaine Wilson graduated from Purdue University in 1986 having
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a major in Photography
and a minor in Fine Arts. Wilson has been working
for the Autry Museum of the American West since 2014 on the Advancement team. She was promoted twice to her current position of Manager of Constituent
Research and Management. In March of 2019, Autry President and CEO, W. Rick West, Jr. presented her with the prestigious "Joanne D. Hale Employee of the Month Excellence Award."
Wilson came to the Autry after working at the Long Beach Museum of Art
as the Executive Assistant to the Director. Prior to this, she worked
for nine years for the J. Paul Getty Museum and Research Institute in
Imaging Services, where she was promoted to the position of Imaging
Technician. At the Getty, Wilson managed and photographed projects for
The Getty Center Photography Archives and for the Getty Research Institute's
Exhibition D of The Mapplethorpe Collection.
Before her work in museums, Wilson held such positions
within the photography industry as the Kodak Professional Account Executive
of Greater Los Angeles; the Technical Film Sales Supervisor at Calumet
Photographic, Hollywood; and the Assistant Producer to Celebrity and
Beauty Photographer Charles William Bush. She also spent four years
working in the stock imagery industry as a Senior Account Executive.
Wilson is represented as an Editorial Stock Photographer with Getty
Images, the world’s largest stock imagery agency. Her stock images
range from lifestyle and nature to celebrity portraits of Leonard Nimoy.
In fact, her portraits of Nimoy were published by St.
Martin’s Press on the cover of iconic Actor William Shatner’s
New York Times Best Seller, "Leonard, My Fifty-Year Relationship with
a Remarkable Man." Another one of Wilson’s Nimoy images landed
on the cover of the newest release by Hachett Books Group of Nimoy’s
book "I Am Spock." Additionally, her image was featured in the 2016 televised
memorial segment of The 88th Academy Awards.
As to her art, her interests continue as a portrait
photographer, but these days more actively as a
street photographer. Some prestigious awards include "International
Photography Awards" honorable mentions (2023, 2021, 2011, 2008, 2005, &
2004); a B&W Magazine (2023) smartphone street photography contest winner of two images and silver award portrait photography winner (2005); and a "PX3 Prix
De La Photographie Paris" honorable mention (2008). Her series
"Life Stop 217" was featured in Focus Fine Art Photography
Magazine (2008). Her photographs have been exhibited at such esteemed
venues as Paul Kopeikin Gallery, Farmani Gallery, The Photo LA Fine
Art Convention, The Lucie Foundation, Arts LA, MOPLA, and FOA auctions.
Wilson also writes poetry. Her poem "Leaving Mother" was published
in 2007 in an anthology of contemporary American women poets, The Movable
Nest. In 2009, her poem “Thyroidectomy" was published in
Thyroid, an indispensable medical peer-reviewed journal. In 2010, Wilson
read at the J. Paul Getty Museum Lecture Hall as part of a group poetry
reading. .
Additionally, Wilson’s work has been published
with Autumn House Press, Barnwood Press, BkMk Press, B&W Magazine,
The Dallas Observer, The Flying Island, Focus Fine Art Photography Magazine,
Getty Publications, Helicon Nine Editions, Hot Water Press, Louisiana
State University Press, The Long Beach Museum Foundation Report, Mary
Ann Liebert, Inc., Melcher Media Inc., The Pennsylvania Lawyer Magazine,
Psychology Today, University of Arkansas Press, and Writers’ Forum.
She continues to seek representation, exhibition, and publication opportunities.
