Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
D124987-7
Date(s)
- 1960-02 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
A bright faced young man in a suit holds up a sign promoting Richards cameras and portrait studios, ordered by Richards Studios. Prior to its closure in 1980, Richards Studio was the premier commercial and studio photographer in the Puget Sound area. The studio was established in 1921 by 19 year old Turner Richards. Three of the Richards brothers, Bob, Ed and Nelson, plus various other family members participated in the business. The family's interest in photography dated back to father Paul Richards and uncle Byron Aldrich who in 1898 were some of Tacoma's earliest photographers. During its most active years, from 1930 to the mid 1970s, the studio employed a staff of 35 at three locations, including one at Ft. Lewis. The family also operated a children's portrait studio, Nancy's, in downtown Tacoma. Following the death of the last Richards brother, the studio was sold in 1980 to photographer David Grimes, who soon returned it to the family. Today the descendants own and operate Richcolor, a lab specializing in color photoprinting.
Richards Commercial Photo Service (Tacoma); Photographic studios--Tacoma--1960-1970;