Hugh Cecil (Hugh Cecil Saunders)
(1892-1974), PhotographerArtist associated with 43 portraits
Educated at Tonbridge School and Queen's College Cambridge where he became interested in photography. Served as an apprentice with the Sevenoaks photographer H. Essenhigh Corke. Moved to London in 1912 and set up as a portrait photographer under the professional name of Hugh Cecil. His photographs appeared regularly in the Sketch and Tatler. His early style was characterised by an elegant simplicity. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) sat for him in 1925, the first of many royal sittings. Published his Book of Beauty in 1926. With his well-established success Cecil turned to 'inventions'. His pupils Paul Tanqueray and Angus McBean actually took many of his photographs.
by Hugh Cecil (Hugh Cecil Saunders)
bromide print
NPG x136715
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Mike James
20 June 2016, 10:32
I had a Neon Sign factory in Birmingham. Hugh worked with me to produced photographic signs which replicated a neon sign by using 'flared' slightly out of focus letters. We sold a few but the process was copied by others. This was at the tail end of his career but even so he was bright as a button. I understand that the first stamps, using photographs, were done by him. I went to his studio once and was amazed at the massive cameras he used. I also met his colleagues who seemed a bit down in the dumps! Hugh was a very strong character.