Claremont Photographic Stores

The Claremont Photographic Stores were based in the Claremont Pier and operated from the mid-1920's up to WW2. They practiced a sort of paperazzi style of snaps where they would catch a person strolling on the Prom and take a photo and then see if they'd buy it as a souvenir, so there was no pretense of artistry. I can't imagine with the cost of film and developing that it was very cost-effective way to run a business. Very few of the photos seemed posed. Everyone seems happy to have their picture taken.

I haven't seen any cards that look like they were taken later than 1939. Claremont Photo. had the concession to take photos on the Esplanade and around Kirkley and once WW2 started, the Prom was blocked off and there was barbed wire on the beach to prevent invasion. I bet this cooled the tourist trade quite a bit. The image on L0328 appears to me to be on north Lowestoft, around the Denes recreation area.

I haven't found any information on the names of the photographers or who owned the business.

A funny early attempt at a little bit of photo retouching to improve an image can be seen on K0229 and K0460.