Ira J. Webster and Nelson N. Stevens, natives of Michigan, moved to Seattle in 1899 and spent several years working for local photographers. In 1903 they opened their own studio with the motto, "Anything. Anytime. Anywhere." Eventually growing to a staff of 17 photographers, the team was among the front runners of the use of photography in commercial advertising, photojournalism, and industry throughout the region. Webster & Stevens provided photographic services to most of the area's major businesses, including a long stint as exclusive photographers for The Seattle Times from 1906-1943. Approximately 60,000 of their photographs and negatives are part of the collection at the Museum of History & Industry.

The Christmas card pictured here was sent from the Stevens family, and all six members of the family have their portraits included on the card: Nelson Nathan Stevens (1875-1938), Edith May (Lindley) Stevens (1878-1962), Richard Emerson Stevens (1904-1970), Pauline M. Stevens (1906-1994), Katheryn M (Stevens) Bunker (1912-2001), and William Donald Stevens (1916-1997). Mr. Stevens' obituary claimed that although he took innumerable pictures of other persons, he had not sat for a portrait since he was 29. However, this must be a slight exaggeration, as due to the ages of the children, these pictures appear to have been taken in 1916, when Mr. Stevens was 41 years old.

Caption information source: http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv15869/op=fstyle.aspx?t=k&q=webster+and+stevens
Caption information source: "N. N. Stevens Taken by Death," The Seattle Daily Times, April 28, 1938, p. 27.