Henry James Johnstone

Henry James Johnstone (1835–1907) was a leading portrait photographer in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia during the 1870s and 1880s, and also a prominent artist.

In 1865 the firm became Johnstone, O'Shannessy and Co. with partner Emily O’Shannessy and co-owner George Hasler.

[1][2] Johnstone, O’Shannessy & Co. were Melbourne’s leading portrait photographers whose services were sought by governors, visiting royalty, politicians and other prominent members of society.

Johnstone impressed the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Victoria and was appointed to his staff as Royal Photographer.

[5] In 1876 Johnstone left Melbourne for South Australia, where his realistic, highly detailed studies of local scenes were well received; he is represented in the Art Gallery of South Australia by three paintings: Evening shadows, backwater of the Murray, The Waterfall, Morialta and an untitled nude seated by a stream.