Ferraro Studio
Kalamazoo’s Post-War Photographer
Lance Ferraro, c.1960
Lancellotto A. Ferraro (Lance) and his Ferraro Studio was one of Kalamazoo’s most active post-war photographers, visually capturing a variety of social and commercial facets of Kalamazoo, in addition to portraiture work. Ferraro operated at 1309 S. Westnedge for 41 years, retiring in 2000.
In addition to chronicling his beloved Kalamazoo, Ferraro also served his community by sitting on the Kalamazoo City Commission. During the 1940s and 1950s, Ferraro served as the photographer for the Kalamazoo Civic Players, and later published a book of his photographs of President John F. Kennedy’s 1960 campaign visit to Kalamazoo. Here is a small sampling of some of his work.
“Behind the camera, Lance Ferraro has seen local history unfold and generations grow up.”
—Kalamazoo Gazette, 10 December 2000
The Kalamazoo Inn Motel, 200 N. Park St., 1968
Kalamazoo Public Library Photograph P-2281
Spartan Department Store, 322 Stockbridge, 1966
Kalamazoo Public Library Photograph P-1805
First National Bank and Trust Company, c.1960
Kalamazoo Public Library Photograph P-1811
Spring Brook, Cooper Township at Riverview Dr., c.1960
Kalamazoo Public Library Photograph P-1815
Gilmore’s Delivery Van, 1967
Kalamazoo Public Library Photograph P-1791
Written by Ryan Gage, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, September 2023
Sources
Articles
“Retirement was no snap decision”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 10 December 2000, page C-1
Local History Room Files
Name File: Ferraro, Lance
Local History Photograph Collection