Alice Hughes facts for kids

Alice Mary Hughes (1857–1939) was a famous photographer in London. She was known for taking amazing pictures of stylish women and children.

Her Life and Work

Alice Mary Hughes was the oldest daughter of Edward Hughes, who was also a painter. She learned photography at the London Polytechnic. In 1891, she opened her own photo studio in Gower Street, London. It was right next to her father's studio!

Her studio was very successful until December 1910. Alice became a top photographer for important people, including royalty, fashionable women, and children. She created beautiful photos using a special printing method called platinotype. At her busiest times, she had up to 60 women working for her. She could even take up to 15 photo sessions in one day!

In 1914, Alice tried opening a business in Berlin, Germany, for a short time. But when the First World War started, she came back to London. In 1915, she opened another studio in Ebury Street. This studio was not as successful as her first one. She closed it in 1933 and retired to Worthing. She passed away in 1939.

From 1898 to 1909, Alice contributed many portraits to Country Life magazine. In 1910, she sold 50,000 of her photo negatives to a company called Speaight Ltd.

Her Photography Style

Alice Mary Hughes was a pioneer in portrait photography. This means she was one of the first to develop a special way of taking pictures of people. She created a unique style by mixing traditional ways of taking portraits with the cool, black-and-white look of platinotype prints. Her photos were known for being elegant and clear.

Gallery

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  Queen Mary (1905)

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  Lady Jellicoe (1917)

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  Pauline Astor (1904)

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  Alexandra of Denmark (1902)