Snow scene from park with trees and houses (misty) in background.

Winter Prather was a skilled commercial and fine art photographer active from the 1940s to the 1970s, primarily based in Denver, Colorado, and Taos, New Mexico. His diverse portfolio spanned architectural photography, informal portraits, romantic landscapes, and abstract industrial scenes. Known for capturing both the glamour of midcentury design and the stark beauty of industrial subjects, Prather often experimented with photography techniques, manipulating images in the darkroom to create double exposures and unique compositions. His work was featured in prominent publications like Camera, Modern Photography, and Holiday, and his commercial clients included major companies and architects such as Gio Ponti, who designed the Denver Art Museum.

Despite his success, Prather’s life took a tragic turn in the 1970s due to mental health issues, possibly linked to the toxic effects of selenium used in his photography process. His struggles, compounded by personal loss and an obsession with mysticism, led to financial hardship and a decline in his career. By the 1990s, Prather was living in poverty and largely forgotten. After his death in 2005, his work saw a resurgence through a retrospective exhibition and book, reintroducing his photography to a new generation.