Brady Studio

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Petaluma Argus Courier, June 14, 1910, p. 2.

BRADY STUDIO was established in October 1909 when Martha N. Hazelbacker Brady and George L. Brady purchased the La Motte Studio located at 164 Main Street from William Gray. The Brady Studio was relocated to 170 Main Street over the Gem Theater some time prior to 1912. The management of the Brady Studio was taken over by Mark C. Voorheis in September 1912. The Brady Studio was the meeting place of the Petaluma Camera Club which appears to have been sponsored by the Bradys, Voorheis, and Gustav Adolph Goehner. The Brady Studio was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Salb of San Francisco in April 1913.

Martha N. Hazelbaker Brady and George L. Brady were married June 8, 1907 and arrived into Petaluma October 1909 from Watsonville, California. Only a few months after their arrival, the couple opened the Brady Studio. The Petaluma Daily Morning Courier reported, “Mr. and Mrs. Brady have been in the photographic business for some eighteen years and come to Petaluma thoroughly equipped to do first class work.” In May 1911 the Petaluma Argus-Courier reported that “Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Brady, photographers, will attend the Eastman School of Professional Photography to be held in the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. May 23, 24, 25, where demonstrations will be made in all lines of the profession.” An announcement published in the Petaluma Daily Morning Courier on July 22, 1912, and signed by “Mrs. Geo. R. Brady”, stated: “Several months ago Mr. Brady, the photographer, on account of failing health, was compelled to give up active participation in the business and go to a warmer climate. During this time we have been endeavoring to secure the services of a first class photographer. We are glad to announce that we have finally succeeded in securing M. C. Voorhies[sic], recently of Sacramento…” The birth and death dates of Martha have not been determined. George died at the age of 50 on August 15, 1918, in Fresno, California.

Mark C. Voorheis (b. 1868 Michigan, d. 1940 San Jose, California) arrived into Petaluma from Sacramento. He was recruited by Mr. and Mrs. Brady to replace them due to Mr. Brady’s failing health. In a Petaluma Daily Morning Courier announcement written by Mrs. Geo. L. Brady and published July 22, 1912, it was stated, “Mr. Voorhies [sic] is thoroughly experienced in photography, and competent to turn out the very best quality of work, having been with such workers as Otto Boye, of San Francisco and with leading studios in other cites. We are prepared to give the people of Petaluma and vicinity the very best quality of work at reasonable prices.” In 1913 the Petaluma Argus-Courier stated, “Mr. Voorheis has recently added new lenses of the highest quality to the outfit, and has also installed an Electric Portrait Printing Cabinet, which makes him independent of the weather or daylight in the finishing department…The equipment in the enlarging department is also being perfected to facilitate the handling of the increasing business in the line of Portrait enlarging. Mr. Voorheis’ ability in artistic photography is well known, having been for several years associated with such leaders in photography as W. A. Pryor of La Crosse, Wis., and L. A. Doyer of Bucyrus, Ohio…”

Active in Petaluma: The Brady Studio was operated by the Bradys between October 1909 and September 1912. Voorheis took over the operation of the studio September 1912 and sold it to Albert Salb in April 1913.

Bibliography: Fresno Morning Republican, Aug. 17, 1918, p. 5 and 6. Petaluma Argus-Courier, October 4, 1909, p. 3; June 14, 1910, p.2; “Will Attend School",” May 22, 1911, p. 1; “Camera Club Notice,” May 10, 1912, p. 5, 8; Feb. 1, 1913, p. 4; May 9, 1913, p. 10. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Oct. 2, 1909, p.1; July 22, 1912, p. 4; August 10, 1912, p. 1; August 26, 1912, p. 1; Sept. 7, 1912, p. 4; Feb. 2, 1913, p. 2; April 18, 1913, p.5, 8; April 19, 1913, p.5.

Unfortunately, the PHL&M owns no portraits attributable to Martha Brady, George Brady or Mark Voorheis.