Julia Margaret Cameron: Pioneering 19th Century Photographer

Early Life and Introduction to Photography

• Born: 1815
• Took up photography: 1860s
• Received a camera: 1863, at age 48
  • Gifted the camera as a present
  • Energetically pursued photography thereafter

Contributions to Photography

• Specialization: Portrait photography
  • Known for portraits of leading intellectuals and artists of her time
  • Included staged photographs and tableaus from literature, history, and religious subjects
• Subjects:
  • Intellectuals and artists
  • Domestic staff and household servants
  • Exceptional photographer of children

Legacy and Collections

• South Kensington Museum (V&A Museum):
  • Acquired 114 photographs in 1865
  • Current collection: Over 250 photographs by Cameron
  • The collection aids in understanding her process, intentions, presentation, and contemporary perception

Exhibitions and Recognition

• Exhibited: 1865 at the South Kensington Museum
  • Same year the museum began collecting her work
• Artist in Residence:
  • In 1868, used two rooms at the museum as a studio
  • Possibly the museum's first artist in residence

Significance

• Innovative and influential figure in 19th-century photography
• Her work continues to be a treasure within the V&A Museum's collection, illustrating her artistic vision and pioneering techniques