Harris & Ewing
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Photography, News photo agency |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Founder | George W. Harris, Martha Ewing |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Key people | George W. Harris (principal photographer) |
| Products | Portrait photography, News photography |
Number of employees | 120 |
Harris & Ewing Inc. was a photographic enterprise located in Washington, D.C., established by George W. Harris and Martha Ewing. Functioning as a comprehensive studio, it focused on portrait photography and maintained a news photo agency. Their photographic works are preserved in institutions including the Library of Congress.
History
George W. Harris initiated his career as a news photographer during the 1889 Johnstown flood coverage. Between 1900 and 1903, he was employed by the Hearst News Service in San Francisco before joining President Theodore Roosevelt's press team. Encouraged directly by Roosevelt, Harris launched a photographic news operation in Washington, D.C., aimed at delivering current images of prominent personalities and events to newspapers beyond the capital. Together with Martha Ewing, an artist and color specialist who provided funding and studio management, Harris established their firm in 1905 at 1313 F Street NW. In 1924, they replaced the original premises with a newly constructed studio designed specifically for their needs.
By the end of the 1930s, Harris & Ewing had become the largest photographic establishment in the United States, managing five studios staffed by 120 employees alongside an extensive news photo service that included numerous freelance contributors. The studio earned particular recognition for producing formal portraits of government officials while delivering a broad range of photographic services.
The company rose to fame with the 1908 release of The Anatomy of a Smile, featuring candid photographs of William Howard Taft upon learning of his presidential nomination. Harris served as principal photographer until his retirement in 1955; he had acquired Ewing's interest in the business in 1915, although she continued to contribute through her social network. The news photo division was divested in 1945. Harris passed away in 1964 at age 92, and the Harris & Ewing studio ceased operations in 1977.
Legacy
Following his retirement, Harris donated nearly 700,000 glass plate and film negatives to the Library of Congress, where they are maintained as the Harris & Ewing Collection within its Prints and Photographs Division. These images predominantly capture Washington from 1905 to 1945, portraying significant individuals, events, and architectural subjects. A substantial portion of this archive has been digitized and is available online. Additional holdings exist at the City Museum of Washington, D.C., the National Portrait Gallery (United States), and the Newseum. The Professional Photographers of America commemorates Harris by naming its premier award after him.
See also
- George Grantham Bain — Bain News Service Collection