Iris McCaig and portrait of C G Milne – courtesy of Robert Lansdale
Toronto. In the article. “IRIS MCCAIG AND THE PORTRAIT OF CHARLES G. MILNE” the late Bob Lansdale relates his chat with Iris at 82 in the early fall 1992 journal issue 18-2. Iris is famous not only as a long time professional photographer, but as the first woman to be president of the OSP (later the PPO, and later still the PPOC).
Bob begins his lengthy article, “Iris McCaig, aged 82 of Toronto, has vivid memories of her life in professional photography. Well into her retirement years “Coogles” as she is affectionately called by her closest friends, closed up her cameras in 1984 after an era of fifty-five years during which photography changed dramatically. She earned an honoured niche in the history of the Professional Photographers of Ontario by being the first woman President of that association in 1959 and ’60 when the association was named the Ontario Society of Photographers.
“‘I graduated from Art College in 1930 at the age of eighteen’, recalls Iris, ‘and my father suggested I try for a job with a portrait photographer that he knew through the Kiwanis. We visited the studio of Charles Aylett near the bottom of Yonge Street; but he already had a young apprentice named Randolph MacDonald’. [Aylett, one of Toronto’s most accomplished photographers, was OSP President in 1923 and has been the only Canadian. to serve as President of the Professional Photographers of America.
“The apprentice, MacDonald, went on to become a leading Toronto society photographer and served also as OSP President in 1940. Lower Yonge and King Streets, since the earliest days of photography, was the centre for photographers studios. ‘Aylett arranged for me to see another photographer further up Yonge, a Mr. Charles G. Milne. I was taken on staff, forsaking my career as a trained artist, and was soon engulfed in the most wonderful world of professional photography. The 30’s were the best years for photography as portraiture still had a status aura attached to it’. …”
Well, I guess it bears repeating … members got the members-only DVD with the included issue18-2 in pdf format. Above and at right are helpful means for you to join the PHSC and read the entire article. Any Questions, just give Lilianne a shout at member@phsc.ca.
