Beach photographers

Circular Kodak 'snapshot; photograph showing a beach photographer with his portable darkroom, taken by an unknown photographer, c. 1890.

For many years beach photographers were a common sight at the seaside. They took cheap, often technically poor, 'while-you-wait' portraits as souvenirs.

The photograph was taken with the Kodak camera - a simple, leather-covered wooden box designed for amateur use, which produced circular snapshots two and a half inches in diameter. The camera was sold pre-loaded with film, when the whole film had been exposed the camera was sent back to Kodak who developed it, returning the prints and the reloaded camera.

The term ‘snapshot’ was first coined in the 1850s, to describe a camera shutter ‘snapping’. Overtime, the term took on the meaning of a quick, informal photograph - usually taken by an amateur.

In the twentieth century, as cameras and film became cheaper, the 'snapshot' became part of everyday life. Snapshot photographs are commonly taken at home, on holiday and at special events. However, a snapshot can be taken at any time for any reason, to capture and share a moment.