About 50% of the photos' Jewish subjects perished in the Nazi concentration camps, while the others survived World War II.

They opened a photography studio in the Rivierenbuurt, an area of south Amsterdam where many German refugees settled.

Prince Bernhard was among the subscribers, presenting pictures of baby Princess Beatrix, later Queen of the Netherlands.

Their main photography assignments came from the Amsterdam Port Authority and Schiphol Airport.

In May 1940, upon the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, they attempted to carry out a suicide pact; Helmuth died but Annemie survived.