Shelley Langston moved to Washington, D.C. in the early 1950s to join her sister who already she lived here. Within a short time, Shelley met George de Vincent. He was a painter and a photographer who encouraged Shelley to go out and make something happen with photography. He gave her a camera and suggested she focus on people, mainly children, since she was good at it. George and Shelley decided to work together and were soon married.
After 12 years, Shelley and George divorced and decided to separate their photography business as well. My guess is that arrangement lasted for about one year at which time they realized they can’t do business without each other. Shelley had no experience in the darkroom and George could not handle the financial paperwork. So, in spite of their separation, they became professional partners in the Photography Studio on P Street and later the Georgetown Studio. The couple worked well together for 45 years, at which time they both retired in 1997.
Shelley published three small books with the writer Hubert I. Bermont. The first book was called The Child (1965); the second All God’s Children (1968); and the third The Mother (1968). I think Shelley was the best child photographer in the Washington D.C. area … and still is.
George and Shelley always loved to argue and got involved with politics. They were both liberals, thank goodness. Shelley always had something to say. I know they needed each other both in life and work. Shelley helped George a lot over the years and he knew it. He told me once, “If it weren’t for Shelley, it wouldn’t be for George.”
Later her life, Shelley met and married her second husband, Lloyd Preslar. He passed away several years ago and George passed away just over a year ago. Shelley loved two men in her life, which is rare, and she took care of George until his last breath. Over a year later Shelley passed away
May 16, 2015.
May 16, 2015.
Photo by George deVincent
Shelley & George
Her second husband Lloyd Preslar
I worked over 15 years with Shelley and George. They had being good to me that I learn allot from them about life and work. I love them both and will miss them.
