Individual portraits, school pictures, weddings, new babies: Maxwell Studio has spent a century photographing our lives. Most longtime Fresnans have had at least one picture taken by Maxwell Studio. When John Franklin Maxwell founded the studio in 1896 he had no idea that Maxwell Studio would become a century long tradition. Frank established Maxwell Studio as a business that stands for good craftsmanship and better business principals. By 1941 Frank turned over the studio to his sons, John and Ed. In the late 1940’s the Maxwell’s remodeled their old Victorian home into the studio’s current location at 415 Blackstone. The brothers carried Maxwell Studio through the changing technology from hand colored black and white prints to color portraits. After 67 years of service Ed handed the business down to his son James.

The studio’s biggest business these days is senior portraits; a tradition started by John Maxwell in the 1920’s. Maxwell Studio currently serves 11 high schools, continuously serving some schools for over 50 years.