In his more than 45 years as a photojournalist, Wiley Price has been in Room 208 of City Hall as many times as any elected official. But on Friday morning, he entered without a camera — for the first time since he was a child accompanying his father, Wiley Price Jr., who worked in the building as an accountant.
“I can feel him looking down on me right now, and he is so proud,” Price said. His mother, Becky Price, also has since died.
[Alderwoman] Sonnier shared how she first encountered Price — while he was photographing a protest… “I learned to find comfort in your face being behind that camera … because I knew regardless of what happened, the truth would be told. And that is incredibly important for our entire city, but especially for Black people and for racial relations.”
Price’s sons, Wiley Price IV and Jaime Price, his partner Darlynn Bosley, and several former St. Louis American colleagues looked up at him with pride during the ceremony.
Price was there to be honored by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen with Resolution 220, which recognizes his commitment and service to the region through his work as staff photographer for The St. Louis American. He retired from the newspaper less than a month ago.
“I was just thinking about the first time I walked into this room as a photojournalist,” Price said. “I didn’t do a very good job taking pictures because of this scenery — I was so enamored by this room. And to stand here and shoot while people were taking care of city business… I remember feeling like I was coming into the big time by walking into this room.”
The people in the room taking care of city business expressed how enamored they were with him. The resolution’s primary sponsor, 7th Ward Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, introduced it before her colleagues alongside Board of Aldermen President Megan Ellyia Green.
Sonnier shared how she first encountered Price — while he was photographing a protest.
“I learned to find comfort in your face being behind that camera,” Sonnier said. “Because I knew regardless of what happened, the truth would be told. And that is incredibly important for our entire city, but especially for Black people and for racial relations.”
Price grew emotional as the resolution was read before the Board of Aldermen.
“Whereas Wiley Price dedicated more than 45 years of his professional life to documenting the people, neighborhoods, history and civic life of the City of St. Louis through photojournalism,” Resolution 220 stated.
One line in particular — also sponsored by 2nd Ward Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, 9th Ward Alderman Michael Browning, 14th Ward Alderman Rasheen Aldridge Jr., and 11th Ward Alderwoman Laura Keys — moved him to tears. It described him as:
“One of the most consistent individual chroniclers of Black life in the City of St. Louis.”
The resolution also recognizes Price for capturing “everyday life as well as historic moments including elections, protests, faith gatherings, cultural celebrations, natural disasters, public health crises and movements for justice.”
It notes that Price created a visual record of the region that reflected Black citizens “with dignity and humanity.”
Keys joked that everyone in the room should have worn T‑shirts that said “Shot by Wiley Price.”
“This is the best person to be shot by,” Keys said. “Thank you so much for all of the work you’ve done here in our city — all of the recording of life here in St. Louis that you have preserved for us and for future generations.”
The resolution highlighted Price’s membership in the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame — and that his image featuring future President Barack Obama is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“They say photos can tell a thousand words, and you have taken some of the best photos of our region,” Aldridge said. “You have captured so much history. And in some of those photos, you captured my good side. You are a legend and an icon in this city.”
Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez of the 6th Ward said Price’s work — like journalism itself — has been essential to the democratic health of the city.
“You’ve had an incredibly important role in the history of our city,” Velazquez said. “You’ve been there for the big events and the small ones, and you’ve captured them and helped tell the story like nobody else could. You’ve also been able to tell stories that, without you, the city would not have heard.”
He was even likened to a first responder by 10th Ward Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard.
“I just appreciate the intention you put into the work that you do,” Hubbard said. “People think photojournalists just take pictures and send them, but you can see the thought you put into what you capture. Your gift is immeasurable.”
It was an exchange of admiration as Price accepted Resolution 220 and delivered brief remarks.
“I’ve always respected the work that has gone on here,” Price said. “And I’ve so respected my community.”
The highlight of his tenure, he said, was having the opportunity to be of service to his city — and to the publication that allowed him to apply his gifts for the greatest possible good of his people.
“Throughout my career, I wanted so badly to make sure that the African American community looked like we were trying to do our business,” Price said. “And I’ve always been proud to say I’m with The St. Louis American.”