WIlliam Notman founded his photography business in Montreal in 1856. By the 1880's, Notman had expanded his business to over 20 studios throughout Canada and the United States, including one in Halifax. In 1882, Sandham left the business and Notman's son, William McFarlane Notman, because his junior business partner. After Notman's death in 1891, William McFarlane and his brother Charles Frederick carried on business until it was sold to Associated Screen News in 1935.