The Hallberg’s photo studio

In the stand in the middle of the room is a large collection of studio photographs of a sometimes quite private nature. Some of these are signed “Hallberg”, a name that is well known to those interested in Halmstad’s local photographic history.

The photographer Johan Hallberg opened a studio in his own name as early as 1897 and was active during the first half of the 20th century. But he was not alone in running the successful business. His wife Maria Hallberg, herself an active photographer, worked with him in the family business. That their production was mostly signed by him can probably be referred to the traditions of the time. He himself, in the autumn of his age, is clear about his wife’s contribution when he talks about his colleague: “My wife and I took care of the photographs during the day together, while my wife was responsible for the retouching department. My wife also took care of the household and I took care of all the developing at night as well as photography also at night.”

The 19th century is in many ways our most transformative century, although many of the archaic traditions lived on into the 20th century. Women’s place in society was still very limited when it came to rights in both politics and professional life. But the emerging professional body of photographers became pioneers in many ways. Among the 42 known active photographers in Halmstad during the late 19th century, we can state that 10 were women. Selma Angel and Rosalie Sjöman are central names in the city’s photographic history. And just like with the Hallberg couple, we can guess several active female photographers hidden behind their husbands’ names. Or as in the case of Anders Johan Hagnell, where his sisters Amanda Sofia and Anna Carolina were active in the company.