[1] He was previously employed as assistant to McLean Brothers, Rigg and Co., ironmongers in Hindley Street, but finding the work tiresome, decided to turn his hobby of photography into a full-time occupation.
By 1893 he was working for Walter Scott-Barry,[2] (c. 1849 – 5 October 1911) ex-Government photographer who had studios at 146 Rundle Street from 1890 to 1896, moved to Mount Gambier, then Warrnambool, Victoria.
In later years he concentrated on portraiture, working from a studio at his home, "Woodbridge" at Tynte Street east, North Adelaide.
Though courteous and urbane, he was of a shy and retiring nature, played no part in public affairs,[5] and never married.
The State Library of South Australia holds a large collection of his historic photographs, mostly of buildings, taken 1889–1910, particularly the earlier date.