[1] Today, he is sometimes referred to as an Egyptologist, since he worked for the Egyptian Expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for around 25 years, from 1915 until his death.

[3] While in Florence, Burton met Theodore M. Davis, a wealthy American lawyer who sponsored a number of excavations of ancient tombs in Egypt.

When in 1910 Cust returned to England, Burton went to Egypt, where Davis employed him as a photographer to record his excavations, including the artefacts found.

[5] When Davis relinquished his excavation permit in 1914, Burton was engaged by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian Expedition to serve as their official photographer, often working closely with Herbert E. Winlock.

Carter realised that "the first and pressing need was for photography, for nothing could be touched until a complete photographic record had been made, a task involving technical skill of the highest order.

To develop pictures in the first two seasons, Burton used a previously cleared tomb nearby, allowing him to determine whether or not he had the shot required.

"[14] Burton also made use of early colour autochrome plates in his work at the tomb and for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's recording work; the Illustrated London News published some tinted photographic images based on his Tutankhamun autochromes, which were transparencies designed to be viewed against the light.

[11] In addition, Burton learned to operate a motion picture camera, loaned by Samuel Goldwyn Productions,[15] using it to record the opening of Tutankhamun sarcophagus in February 1924,[16] and to show objects as they were being removed from the tomb.

He had a colossal task which he carried out to the end in the most efficient manner possible, and I should like to convey through you my most sincere gratitude to your trustees and Director for his good aid.