Our first daughter, Helen, was about nine months, chubby (not fat) good disposition and friendly with everyone.
While browsing through the newspaper one day I noticed an advertisement for “Cow & Gate”, a milk that was fed to babies up to 2 years, to compete in a programme called “Baby of the Year” with several interesting prizes being offered, money, trophies, baby items etc.
Noel, was at this time a passionate amateur photographer and having won three (3) photo competitions sponsored by the Trinidad Guardian, he “went to town” with his precious daughter.
The photographs were all very good, and I had some difficulty selecting one, so “boldly” I went down to the advertising office to request that they select one. I was absolutely bowled over by the enthusiastic response which I received from the members of staff, and “stumped” when the CEO suggested we come on board with them as the official photographer for the other contestants. Of course I accepted the offer, negotiated rates and then returned home thrilled to the core to give my better half the “good news”.
Shock and disappointment! “I can’t do this I have never photographed anyone but Helen, I may make a mess of this and then there will be general embarrassment”. I should mention here that Noel’s humility about his photographic efforts is one of his strong characteristics. He has always dubbed me as the “pusher”, and I was determined to get my way on this, so immediately finalized negotiations with the firm of L J Williams – the corporate company for the product.
Most of the babies (contestants) were really lovely and the photos were great. All the mothers wanted copies for themselves for grand parents, god mothers etc so the sales rolled in.
Prior to marriage I was employed as a teacher at the Holy Name Convent. I was abut 17 years at that time and also very passionate about my career. I was involved in every aspect of the school’s activities from sports, drama classes, carol singing to graduation. I established a rapport not only with the pupils, but also with the parents who on many occasions would request that I “speak” to their daughters, as they would listen to me more easily.
This relationship spanned a period of about six (6) years and the French Nuns who ran the school, were very supportive of my efforts at all times and encouraged me in all my ventures.
I should mention here that after six years Noel, who had come on the scene, decided I was becoming a “domineering” person and encouraged me to spread my wings. I was reluctant and after several tears and change of heart I agreed. Opportunity knocked at my door when I was invited to join the team of the Tourist Board as a junior receptionist, but with the possibility of attaining a senior position if my enthusiasm and hard work remained intact. (I also got married during this time) This job was an “eye opener” as I was exposed to all forms of cultural and heritage experiences, dealing with passengers, fun cruise boats and travellers from abroad – organizing tours and general “selling Trinidad & Tobago”.
A closeness had developed between the senior pupils and myself so that even after they left Holy Name Convent we were in close contact. This would prove to be advantageous to our “growing business” as in one office there were six ex-pupils – all engaged and planning marriage – the first one to take the step approached us with the request that she would like us to photograph this momentous occasion and we did, but with a difference. We did a “story” from dressing to leaving the bride’s home – interesting and emotional moments were captured teary-eyed Moms, Granddads filled with pride, and even Nannies who had been with the family for years.
These photographs were put up in an album referred to as the Wedding Story – the names of the couple, and the date of the wedding were inscribed in gold on the outside cover. This project was indeed an innovative one as we were the first photographic firm to launch the idea. We also photographed the weddings of the other five Holy Name girls from that office and later we discovered that these brides became top marketing representatives for our business.
Babies Wedding Family Groups was the natural progression, an excellent and stable beginning for a business just starting. Regrettably, though our home was turned into a studio, drying room – darkroom – and loading bay.
At nights my tiny kitchen had to be cleared of all pots and pans. The top of the stove was covered with a block of wood and this was the enlarging table. The counter tops provided the space for the chemicals, and trays with hypo and processing agents. Bottles (cyder bottles) provided the storage for the extra chemicals. These were carefully labelled and stored in our fridge, but family and visitors to our home were warned about the “danger” before they opened any.
Most nights we worked until midnight and everything had to be washed carefully and put away for normal living the next day.
The developing tanks were loaded in the wardrobe where our clothes hung, while I stood outside with a blanket to conceal any light which might have seeped through.
This was our formula for several months, until we had accumulated sufficient funds to purchase proper darkroom equipment. Because of temperature control for processing colour fil or Ektachrome, as it was called, we resorted to purchasing blocks of ice about 100lbs daily, placing them in a large sink outside and cooling the chemicals. It was primitive, but it worked!
By now our work load was becoming intense and we needed HELP. We were burning the candle at both ends as both of us were still employed full time.
However, luck was on our side when a friend of ours, KP, also an enthusiastic amateur photographer resigned his job and offered his services to us.
Kelvin was a hardworking person full of great ideas; a mover and shaker and he soon convinced us that we needed larger premises.
With his persuasive powers, he was able to secure an empty house at #33 Fitt Street, Woodbrook, and we moved in lock-stock-and-barrel.
This was our first studio! We were now in to Advertising photographs and that was a real pressure, with demanding and very short deadlines, but challenging and exciting photography, with lots of time and space for creativity.
Trinidad Photographers Ltd. as we were now known had a staff of 5 persons and everyone must feel welcomed, hence the name.
A 19 year old apprentice photographer was sent to us by another professional photographer, who was migrating, but because of Michael Loregnard’s enthusiasm and love for photography he wanted to ensure that he was well placed before he left Trinidad.
Michael was a dedicated and talented person who worked with us for a period of 25 years; and although we placed him in another photographic establishment we saw him almost daily. He was always there for us – assisting in anyway help was needed and to this day, 2008 he is still there for us, as he says all the knowledge he has gained and the skills he has acquired was through the mentorship of Noel Norton.
Wilfred Ferdinand was another junior photographer who joined our ranks in the 1962 / 1963 period. He too had worked at a lab which specialized in passports and so all he learnt about the photographic business was through Norton’s. He too worked with us for a period of about 25 years, after which he migrated to Venezuela with his wife and kids. There he opened his own studio, always keeping in touch with us for advice or for the purchase of new equipment. As was natural, he was given a “test” assignment to photograph section of the oil industry. He did very well, and became the official photographer for several US companies based in South America.
In one of these Industrial magazines, which featured his photographic work, he was interviewed and gave great praise to Noel for what he had been taught with special emphasis on discipline and professionalism.