MARQUETTE — Marquette Regional History Center presents the Special Exhibit: Exposing Photography: Anything but a Small Business now through Jan. 13.

Follow the development of commercial photography in Michigan’s central Upper Peninsula. Starting in the mid 1800s artists set up photography studios around the U.P. They made a living off portrait photography.

BF Childs established Childs Art Gallery in Ishpeming which ran over 70 years. Edgar and Merta Lemon started a studio in Marquette in 1909 which still operates today. Early photographers travelled throughout the Lake Superior region to document mines, local scenery, and Native Americans.

Many of these images were sold as souvenirs in the form of stereographs. Some were sold in urban markets around the country or printed as engravings in Harper’s Weekly. These businessmen and women were innovators and artists in composition, hand coloring prints and enlargements.

Several won international awards.

Notable amateur photographers will also be examined including John M Longyear and night time wildlife photographer George Shiras III as well as photographers from the Huron Mountain Club: Harold DuCharme, Tappan Gregory, and William Harris.

The exhibit draws upon the extension collections of the MRHC and photographic historian Jack Deo of Superior View. Cameras from professional photographers and amateurs will also be on display.

The exhibit’s opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday.

Months of research and preparation have culminated in this new special exhibit. Join Curator Jo Wittler and tour the Exposing Photography exhibit. Free, donations appreciated.

For more info, call 906-226-3571 or visit marquettehistory.org