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Ernest Baudoux opened his photographic studio at a premises on New Street in 1869. His son joined the business in 1885 only two years before the business was sold to John Stroud in 1887.

Albert Edmund Smith, born on 12 August 1856 in Hornsey, England, was one of Jersey’s most celebrated early photographers, recognised for his extensive contributions to documenting life in the Channel Islands. Though known for his photography, Albert’s career began far removed from the camera lens. He initially followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brothers as a stockbroker in London, becoming a member of the London Stock Exchange in 1876. Albert married Josephine Elizabeth Coutts in 1879, and the couple’s early life revolved around his stockbroking career, living in Weybridge, Surrey, before moving to Scotland and later Lancashire. However, by the late 1880s, Albert began to shift his focus to photography, a burgeoning field of interest that would come to define his legacy. By 1891, the census records him as a "Photographic artist" living in Waterloo, Lancashire, where his passion for the craft was taking shape.

In 1892, Albert relocated to St Helier, Jersey, with his family, purchasing the studio of established photographer Ernest Baudoux. From his premises at 59 New Street, Albert Smith embarked on a career that spanned several decades. He later expanded his operations with outlets in Bath Street, Beresford Street, and Broad Street, serving as the heart of his growing business. Smith’s work encompassed a wide array of subjects, from traditional studio portraits to dynamic outdoor scenes that captured the essence of Jersey’s culture, landscapes, and significant events. His photographs, while often commercial in nature and used for postcards and memorabilia, have become important historical records, preserving a detailed visual narrative of Jersey’s social landscape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A pioneer in his field, Albert explored early X-ray photography in 1896, demonstrating his innovative spirit and technical curiosity. His studio produced thousands of images, many of which are preserved in the archives of the Société Jersiaise. Although not all the photographs attributed to him were taken personally—some were captured by his employees or inherited from Baudoux’s collection—the business maintained a distinctive signature style and branding that became synonymous with his name.

Albert and his wife Josephine had seven children, several of whom maintained ties to Jersey. His son, David Edmund Smith, took over the family business following Albert’s death on 22 April 1914, which resulted from heart disease. Albert was buried at Almorah Cemetery. Josephine, an artist in her own right, contributed to the island’s cultural life, exhibiting her paintings locally. She left Jersey in 1926 and passed away in Southampton in 1937, leaving behind a legacy of creativity that complemented her husband’s photographic achievements.

Albert Smith’s photographic works, including his 102 Views of Jersey and the Channel Islands published around 1910, remain an essential part of Jersey’s cultural heritage. His images, which range from charming, posed carriage outings to vivid snapshots of island life, continue to captivate audiences locally and internationally.

David Smith was the son of the prominent commercial photographer Albert Smith. David operated the business Albert Smith Ltd after Albert's death in 1914 and donated the business archives to the Société in 1940.

Stuart was born in Jersey in 1954. He studied at Victoria College, Harlow Technical College and Bristol Technical College.

In May 1989, after five years as a PR Executive for Wordsmith and Co., managing media relations for Jersey Tourism (later Visit Jersey), Stuart Abraham transitioned into professional photography. During his tenure, he facilitated journalist and TV crew visits to Jersey, capitalising on the popularity of Bergerac, the BBC series starring John Nettles. His role in promoting Jersey’s attractions through strategic media engagements laid the groundwork for his next career chapter.

Stuart’s entry into photography came unexpectedly when an Automobile Association editor visited Jersey to commission images for an Ordnance Survey guide. Sharing his collection of colour slides led to his first professional assignment, marking the start of a 30-year career. Specialising in publishing, he quickly secured work from Channel Island tour operators, hoteliers, and guesthouse owners, investing in advanced equipment and building a robust client base. His projects included publishing postcards, calendars, and the book Jersey Memories.

By the mid-1990s, Stuart expanded internationally, collaborating with travel writer Kevin Pilley. Their assignments took him to destinations including the USA, Japan, India, Russia, South Africa, and across Europe. These experiences, supported by tourist boards and regional hosts, established him as a versatile travel photographer.

The transition from film to digital photography became a pivotal aspect of Stuart’s career. Embracing new technologies such as Apple Macs, Nikon film scanners, and Adobe software, he adapted to the evolving demands of the publishing industry. In 2000, he won an award for Jersey’s first dedicated online photo library.
In 2012, Google invited Stuart to participate in its Street View project, creating 3D virtual tours for Jersey businesses. This initiative, which utilised DSLR equipment and advanced software, marked his full integration into the digital era. Later, he applied these skills to producing virtual tours for luxury properties.
As the photography landscape shifted towards AI and text-to-image innovations, Stuart concluded his traditional photographic pursuits, leaving a legacy of adaptability and creative contributions to the field.

In 1892 Albert Smith opened a photographic studio in Saint Helier, Jersey; having purchased the studio of E. Baudoux & Son Ltd from John Stroud.

Albert Smith died in 1914, his son David Smith continued to operate the business under the name Albert Smith Ltd.

It is unclear if the business was operating and if so in what format between 1931 and 1940.

Henry Mullins was the first professional photographer to establish a portrait business in Jersey. He began his career in London in the 1840s before moving to Jersey in July 1848, where he opened the Royal Saloon studio at 7 Royal Square, partnering with Mr Millward. In 1849 Mullins began working independently and continued to for the next 26 years.

The negative archive of the business totalling around 20,000 glass plates was purchased by the photographers Jones et Cie in 1874. The photographer Clarence Ouless acquired the negatives a decade later after which there is no record of the negative archive.

Ernest Baudoux, born in France, became one of Jersey’s most prominent photographers after relocating in the island in 1869. He made his name primarily in portrait photography but also documented the landscapes, major events, and everyday life of Jersey throughout the late 19th century.

Baudoux arrived in Jersey with his wife and son, setting up his studio and soon embarking on a project to capture a detailed panorama of St Helier, the island's capital. Using the “wet collodion” process, which required a mobile darkroom to develop glass plates on-site, Baudoux demonstrated both technical skill and an eye for Jersey’s architectural landscape. His panoramas of St Helier were among the first of their kind, solidifying his role as a key chronicler of the island’s scenery.

In his studio, Baudoux produced portraits of Jersey’s wealthier residents. His use of a sliding plate mechanism allowed him to take two exposures on a single glass plate, giving him the option to select the best image. Retouching was a common practice at the time, and Baudoux applied it extensively to enhance his subjects, particularly improving their complexions and removing imperfections. This attention to detail was one of the key aspects of his work.

By 1885, Baudoux's son joined the business, which continued to thrive until they sold it in 1887 to John Stroud, a young photographer from London. Stroud later sold the studio to Albert Smith, who continued working with many of Baudoux’s glass plates. Some of Baudoux’s works were later misattributed to Smith, but efforts to accurately identify the photographers have led to the recognition of over 3,000 images in the Société Jersiaise archive, many of which are now correctly credited to Baudoux.

Baudoux was also known for his use of the Chromotype process (carbon printing), which produced high-quality sepia-toned prints that were more durable and expensive than other photographic methods of the time. These prints, with their unique metallic finish, have become sought-after collectors’ items.

In addition to portraits, Baudoux captured significant moments in Jersey's history, the homes of his subjects, and the natural beauty of the island. His portraits are particularly notable for their representation of Victorian Jersey’s social norms, often showing subjects in formal attire and posed stiffly due to the long exposure times of early photography. Children, often dressed in sailor suits or fancy dress, were also a common subject.

Baudoux's work, which consists of over 1,300 surviving photographs held in the Société Jersiaise collection, remains a key resource for understanding Jersey’s history. His studio operated at various locations, including 56 and 59 New Street, from 1869 until he sold the business in 1887. In his later years, he also opened a branch studio in Guernsey.

Baudoux’s impact on Jersey’s photographic heritage is significant, and his work remains an important part of the island’s visual history.

Jersey Photos was established by Stuart Abraham in 1995.