Helmar Lerski was born in Straßburg, emigrated to the United States in 1893, but later returned to Europe. In 1928, he began concentrating on portrait photography, eventually completing a project he titled "Köpfe des Alltags" (Everyday Faces). He visited Palestine in 1931 where he took portraits of Jewish settlers and Arabian residents. During his second visit to Palestine the National Socialist takeover in Germany occurred, making it impossible for him to return.
