Elizabeth Mary "Elsie" Holloway (1882-1971)
19. Retrace your steps to the corner of Victoria Street and Queen's Road. Go left down Victoria to Gower Street, then turn right on Gower to see the home of photographer Elsie Holloway at #180.
Elsie Holloway, born in St. John's of well-educated parents, was one of the finest studio photographers in Newfoundland. She received much of her training from her father, Robert Holloway, but also studied photography in England during the winter of 1903.
Elsie and her brother, Bert, travelled across the island with their father as he photographed Newfoundland in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They both learned from their father as they carried cameras, glass negatives and a tripod for him. This may have been the start of her interest in landscape photography, which she continued over the years.
Following their father's death in 1903, Elsie and Bert moved house and set up a darkroom on the top floor of the new residence. They published their father's photographic book in 1905 and a second volume in 1910
Seated in front: R. Anderson Squires, Elsie Holloway, Eva Macpherson le Sueur, Harold Tessier.
Middle Row: George Peters, Prof. Thesouin, Sally (March) Thesouin, Mrs. Stephen March, Mrs Holloway, Mrs. (Dr.) H. E. Kendall, Violette Macpherson, Flossie Ayres, Mrs. Claire (Edgar) Shirran, John Stein, Jessie Ayre, Charlie Lynne, Cyril Tessier, Will Shirran.
Top Row: Janie Snelgrove, Jean Ayre, Emma Ayre, Louise Bartlett.
In 1908, she established Holloway Studio of St. John's on Bates Hill, in partnership with her brother, Bert. Initially, they printed and sold photos produced from many of the thousands of glass negatives by Robert Holloway. The third floor of the Bates Hill house was used for retouching photos and other photographic work. When Bert died in 1917 fighting in World War I, Elsie became the owner of the studio.
Elsie specialized in portraits and was known for her innovative style and spirit in capturing spontaneity and mounting photographs in original ways. She photographed all segments of society: family groups, wealthy citizens, athletes, casts of operas and theatre productions staged in St. John's, and many thousands of school students. She was well known for her photographs of children. During World War I Elsie created portraits of many of the Newfoundland Regiment before they were sent overseas. Later, she accepted photographic assignments as well, including the departure of Amelia Earhart from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland on her around-the-world flight in 1932.
Elsie's work is acknowledged to be among the finest photography produced in Newfoundland. She retired and sold the Studio in 1946. Some of her glass negatives are preserved in The Rooms Provincial Museum Division and The Rooms Provincial Archives Division at The Rooms in St. John's.
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