Photographs Collection
The Photographs collection consists of more than 250,000 original photographic images of which at least 130,000 are original negatives. They date from the 1840s to the present day. The collection is divided into two parts; a Primary Collection of items that have a catalogue number prefix with the capital letter P and the remainder, which have a lower case 'x', prefix before the catalogue number. Items contained within albums have an 'Ax' prefix.
Introduction
The Photographs Collection consists of more than 250,000 original photographic images of which at least 130,000 are original negatives.
Collection Listings
An overview of some of the significant catalogued and uncatalogued photographic collections.
Photographers in the Collection
Specified subjects covering Photographers within the Gallery’s collection.
Slideshows: Spotlight on the Collection
Browse curated selections of photographs from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection centred on particular sitters, photographers or themes
Photography Blog
A look at our Photography related blogs.
Photographic commissions
An overview of the Gallery’s photographic commissions, from 1917 to the present-day’
Learn more about our collections
Interviews with artists and sitters
These resources include transcriptions of video interviews with sitters and artists on the Portrait Explorer in the Digital Space and on the Audio Guide and interviews with photographers for the website.
Photographic terms
A glossary of photographic terms.
Past exhibitions and displays
A look at all the past photographic exhibitions and displays.