Career
Born in Britain in 1832, William Saunders opened one of Shanghai"s first photography studios in January 1862. Although chiefly a portrait photographer, Saunders" fascination with China led him to photograph current events, local scenery and the local population. Although many of Saunders" scenes of everyday Chinese life were posed due to limitations of photographic processes, they provide accurate reflections of life in nineteenth century China, and contributed to the spreading of knowledge of Chinese customs and traditions throughout the West.
