Guy Gannett with Senator Frederick Hale, Portland, 1920
Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media
Maine played a pivotal role in the rise of photojournalism, with Guy Gannett (1881–1954) at the forefront. The son of successful Maine publisher William H. Gannett (1854-1948), Guy acquired several Portland, Augusta, and Waterville-based newspapers in the 1920s, pioneering an era of visually compelling news coverage.
Under Guy Gannett’s leadership, newspapers like Portland’s Evening Express embraced photography as a storytelling medium. His “Maine first” strategy highlighted images of local people, events, and landscapes—from celebrities to natural disasters. Gannett’s use of photography outpaced many of his peers, making visuals central to the narrative.
An innovator in the field, Gannett popularized tabloid-style coverage, where photographs told the story, complemented by captions rather than lengthy text. This format—perfect for dramatic events such as manhunts or criminal trials—set his newspapers apart. Lighter cameras and flashbulbs developed in the 1920s forward fueled the golden age of photojournalism. Photographs became essential for breaking news and capturing a reader’s attention, with about thirty Maine newspapers thriving during this period.
Guy Gannett’s innovative use of photography elevated Maine’s media influence. His work demonstrated the power of visuals to inform and engage, leaving a lasting impact on American journalism and paving the way for today’s image-driven media culture.