Artists whose work he published include Edward Burne-Jones, George Frederic Watts, Simeon Solomon, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

He photographed their work at different stages—the prints often suggesting modifications to the artists—and his collection of negatives must contain some interesting records of early states.

[2]Hollyer's photographs of drawings were particularly successful; printed on high-quality paper, they were often mistaken for originals.

His sitters included the artists Walter Crane, William Morris, G. F. Watts, and Burne-Jones; the writers John Ruskin, H. G. Wells, and George Bernard Shaw; and the actresses Mrs Patrick Campbell and Ellen Terry.

If every photographer would make a real study, for two or three years, of the hands of his sitters, portraiture would take an immense step forward.

The photographer who has met a man half a dozen times should know with absolute certainty what is the most characteristic pose and lighting for his face .

Frederick Hollyer died 21 November 1933 at his eldest son's home in Blewbury (then part of Berkshire), aged 95.