The business proved so successful that he had more work than he could handle so in 1868 he asked his brother Alfred Henry Burton to emigrate and join him in the venture.

Burton concentrated on studio portraiture while his brother travelled extensively photographing landscapes and local people.

Walter visited Europe to acquaint himself with new photographic developments while Alfred took over the firm.

This business was not as successful as Burton Brothers as he often kept his customers waiting, bungled photos so that they had to be re-shot, and frequently lost his temper.

It is thought that he swallowed a lethal dose of potassium cyanide, a chemical used in the photographic process.