Perkins Brothers Commercial Photography was a Lakeland mainstay for more than thirty years. Laurence ‘Guv’ Duane Perkins (1914-1981), born in NY moved to Lakeland at age five. During WWII he worked as a photographer for the US Navy where he honed his skills in the field. Upon returning, he started working for the Lakeland Ledger as a photographer. He open a commercial studio in 1950 and was joined a few years later by younger brother Murray.
Murray ‘Perk’ Clinton Perkins (1922-2012) was born in Lakeland. At age 17 he worked as a drug store clerk. He served in the US Army during World War II. He worked along side his brother Duane following the war at their commercial studio.
Many of the Perkins Brothers photographs were transferred to Phillips Photography.
Richard ‘Dick’ Phillips (1925-2014) opened his commercial photography studio in 1949 at 1107 S. Florida Ave. behind what is now Hungry Howie’s in Dixieland. In 1962, he constructed the current 3,800 square-foot building at 1505 S. Florida Avenue. His son, Robin, began working in the studio at age 8 and shot his first wedding by himself at 15 years of age. The family kept the successful business going until 2022.
This collection combines photographs from the two studios. Together they depict a history of Lakeland from the 1940s-2000.
Featured Digital Collection: Perkins-Phillips Photographs
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