Noel Norton – Part 1 : Brief History Of Career In Photography And Norton Studios

Noel Norton is recognized today as the premier photographer of his generation in Trinidad and Tobago. Photography began as a hobby for Noel Norton and as early as the 1940’s while serving in the Royal Air Force, he recorded his experiences with friends though photography.

In the 1950’s after the war, and while working at the Myerson Tooth Company in Trinidad, Noel Norton began doing photography on a commercial basis in his spare time.

One of the events that initiated his career as a commercial photographer was a “Cow & Gate” baby competition in which a photograph of his first daughter was entered and won. He also entered a number of competitions sponsored by the now ‘Trinidad Guardian’ Newspaper which he also won. These opportunities provided the recognition for his work and led to many requests and referrals for portraits, weddings, graduations, etc. as well as requests for commercial photography services in which he still is competently assisted by his wife Mary

The business continued to grow based on referrals to organizations from his contacts established at advertising agencies. Meanwhile, on his own initiative, Noel Norton took photographs of any events of interest in Trinidad, including national, historic, religious and cultural events and festivals, thereby establishing and defining his well known photographic style which has endeared him to thousands of patrons of Norton Studios over the years

By the 1960’s, a significant amount of Noel Norton’s time was being spent in photography. Davies and Chislette Advertising (now Mc Cann Erickson) recommended that he pursue photography as a full time career and offered to support the venture exposing him to such large clients as Nestlé, and Shell among many others

Norton Studios was established in 1962, the year Trinidad and Tobago became independent. The original name was Trinidad Photographers Limited , a joint effort with other photographers

Even then “Trinidad Photographers Limited” was popularly known as Norton’s. Eventually in the late 1960’s, with the departure of a major shareholder, the name was officially re-registered as Norton Studios Limited.

The business operated initially in Port of Spain, in Fitt Street, then Pembroke Street, Marli Street and then at the West Mall, where it operated from December 1982 to May 2004. In 1996 when the new photo-finishing lab was purchased, this side of the business became the major focus with further innovations in digital technology incorporated constantly since then.

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In the 4 decades since its inception, Noel Norton and Norton Studios have been recognized in many ways. Several of his photographic works have received local and international awards with Norton himself receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Trinidad and Tobago (U.T.T) at its first convocation in 2005.

Norton Studios can be contacted in Trinidad at telephone number : (868) 632 - 0868