"Tri-print" snapshot photograph of a child climbing over a railing

Colour "tri-print" photograph of a child climbing over a railing. There are three copies of the image, a larger copy on the left and two smaller copies on the right.

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.