Photographic historian advocating for early British women photographers 1839-1861. Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
Joined March 2017
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Welcome to my new weekly post on early British women photographers, many hidden from history. Starting with Miss Evans, a photographer advertising her portrait service in the 1856 Malvern Advertiser newspaper. She is not in the 1851 census or local trade directory. 1/2
Miss Evans was not recorded as a member of the Photographic Society, in any exhibition between 1839 and 1865 and no examples of her work are known.
This is how women can easily slip through the net of history, but one 1856 advertisement can reveal a fascinating hidden story. 2/2
Last week I highlighted the challenges of being a wife and travelling photographer. Agnes Szarkowska arrived in Leicester with husband Alexander Szarkowski advertising 'likenesses in their unrivalled style' in the 1856 Leicester Mercury. But this was unwelcome competition. 1/2
2/2 Another husband and wife partnership was already established in Leicester offering 'Photographic Likenesses', particularly to ladies. Mr and Mrs Fish's studio in Rutland Street was only half a mile from Agnes and Alexander, and now had to compete for their portrait business.
Professional photography became a viable career for mid 19th century women. The 1861 census shows 25 yr old Mary Ann Venables worked with her sister Sophia (19) and Letitia (15) at their studio in Folkestone, previously advertised as Miss Venables' Photographic Establishment. 1/2
2/2 In 1857 the Venables sisters advertised tuition in the Talbotype or Collodion processes, also views of houses, churches or tombs in addition to portraits taken in their glass gallery. The 1861 census showed Mary Ann and Sophia as Photographers with Letitia as their printer.
Join us at midnight tonight UK time to celebrate #InternationalWomen’sDay with our 2026 online #Women of #Photography conference-athon.
72 speakers from all over the world over 24 hours, beginning with women's photography of Antarctica. Registration free.
womenofphoto.com
2 weeks today we will be celebrating #InternationalWomen'sDay with our 2026 online Women of Photography conference-athon on 8th March.
Join us to see 72 speakers over 24 hours starting at midnight on Saturday in the UK. Registration is open and free.
womenofphoto.com
Registration is open for the 2026 Women of Photography conference-athon on 8th March.
Join 72 speakers over 24 hours celebrating International Women’s Day - starting with photography of Antarctica & travelling across the world.
Women of Photography - Home share.google/NlWIby1OkCQgPWN…
24 hours to go to my Photo Oxford talk at @bodleianlibs Weston Library or online, exploring the life of Constance Talbot. Join me to hear about her witnessing the birth of #photography & her lifelong love of art. Wednesday 1-2pm Weston Library, Oxford:
photooxford.org/events/const…
One week to go to my Photo Oxford talk at @bodleianlibs about the photographic and artistic life of Constance Talbot. Hear about her witnessing the birth of #photography and maintaining a love of art throughout her life. 5th November 1-2pm Weston Library:
photooxford.org/events/const…
Join me in person or online on 5th November 1pm for a Photo Oxford talk at @bodleianlibs about the photographic and artistic life of Constance Talbot. She witnessed the birth of #photography but maintained a love of art throughout her life. Details here:
photooxford.org/events/const…
Join me on 5th November for a talk about early photographer and artist Constance Talbot at the Bodleian Weston Library, Oxford, over lunchtime (1pm - 2pm).
The talk is part of Photo Oxford and reveals new research into her fascinating life.
Details here:
photooxford.org/events/const…
Take a look at my new blog about Anna Atkins and her visit to @ChatsworthHouse in 1851. Her Photographs of British Algae, Cyanotype Impressions are currently on display within the Gorgeous Nothings exhibition at Chatsworth - a must visit!
chatsworth.org/news-media/ne…
Two weeks before the deadline for papers celebrating women photographers. Building on our March 24 hour conference-athon, a FREE online conference will be on International Women’s Day 2026. We invite proposals for talks or panel discussions - details at: womenofphoto.com
Such a privilege to see the final performance by Torvill and Dean tonight in Nottingham.
They have been a wonderful part of our lives, so thank you for the memories @torvillanddean
One month to go - call for papers celebrating women photographers. Building on our March 24 hour conference-athon, a FREE online conference will be held on International Women’s Day 2026. We invite proposals for talks or panel discussions - details at
womenofphoto.com/
At the home of photography #Lacock Abbey with the amazing Jo Gane re-creating a Photogenic Drawing taken by Constance Talbot in May 1839.
Over 3 hours to register an image in sunny weather! This project will feature in my talk for Photo Oxford 2025. Photo by Andy Cochrane.
Continuing the focus on Mrs Atkinson, travelling photographer in 1860, by August she reached Northallerton in North Yorkshire. The Stockton Herald advertised 'Atkinson’s Photographic Van' centrally located near the church, offering large & small portraits 'taken by a Female'. 1/2
This week introduces one of the least visible of all early British women photographers but possibly one of the most significant. Mrs Atkinson was an itinerant photographer travelling with her 'Photographic Van' in her 1860 Richmond and Ripon Chronicle advertisement. 1/2
Kingston upon Hull was the location for a third early woman photographer, Mrs Hannah Hardey. Her primary occupation had been as portrait painter in oils, but in 1857 she branched out into photographic portraiture located at her husband’s studio on Jarratt Street. 1/2
2/2 In May 1857 Mrs Hardey advertised in The Hull News, thanking her clients for their artistic patronage for 17 years. As with many portrait painters, particularly of miniatures, Hannah adapted to the new technology of photography to maintain her commercial business.