William Hall livestock and rural photography

William James Hall (1877 - 1951) and his father William Frederick Hall (1855 - 1943) were noted photographers who worked in the Sydney area in the late 1800s and 1900s. A number of photographic studios were established by the Halls in Sydney. The businesses were located variously at 7 Castlereagh Street, 39, 44 and 70 Hunter Street, 91 Phillip Street and 21 Blight Street in Sydney city from 1890 onwards.

Both William F Hall and William J Hall focussed much of their photography on the maritime activities in and around Sydney Harbour, in particular the weekend yacht races. The Australian National Maritime Museum holds a large collection of the Hall maritime photographs, as well as many of their studio portraits.

Aside from maritime photography, William James Hall also became a well-known livestock photographer. His obituary in 1951 mentions only his skills as a rural stock photographer and he was in great demand at Sydney Royal Easter Show time.

The Australian National Maritime Museum holds many examples of William J Hall's fine livestock photography.