Golden Gate Photo Co.

As mentioned in my previous post, the Golden Gate Photo Co. was the original name of Evans' photography business.  The only references I've found so far are from the announcements of the opening of his studio.  Presumably, most of his early work (i.e. before 1917) would have been for newspapers and magazines, and therefore probably uncredited for the most part, so identifying any picture as one from Golden Gate is difficult at best.  However, there is one photo that I can credit to the Golden Gate Photo Co.  It was easy to find, since it was already in my photo collection.

When I first came upon the Golden Gate/Evans connection, I remembered this picture.  I purchased this photo of Louise Fazenda about a year before my interest in Evans began. 

There's no signature on the front, so nothing there to suggest that it's an Evans photo.  However, the back of the photo is more informative.

There's a few things of interest here.  Besides the Golden Gate Photo Co. stamp, there is a stamp for Triangle-Keystone.  Not surprising, of course, since that was Ms. Fazenda's studio at the time.  However, is it possible that this photo eventually lead to the famous Bathing Beauty pictures that Evans produces soon after?  Stylistically, this one is much different (and better, in my opinion), but it does make one wonder.

Another thing to notice is the handwriting.  The 'E' next to the Golden Gate stamp is almost certainly in Evans' own hand, as it closely matches what I've seen in documents that he has signed, as well as the signatures seen on his later photographs.  If that is the case, he probably wrote Ms. Fazenda's name as well, which for someone who collects both Louise Fazenda and Nelson Evans photos is kind of neat.

The Evans Studio

The Golden Gate Photo Co. of Los Angeles, is about to erect a new studio at Hollywood devoted to motion picture, portrait, publicity, reproduction and commercial purposes, specializing on light effects.  Nelson F. Evans will be business manager.  The Motion Picture World  Sept 13, 1916.

In late 1916, Nelson Evans announced the creation of his new studio, under the name Golden Gate Photo Co., in several trade publications, including The Motion Picture World and Motography.  The studio was located at 6039 Hollywood Blvd, just east of Gower Street.  It's not known when he changed the name from Golden Gate to Evans Studio, but in a letter to Keystone Studio from early March 1917, Evans is requesting that all future correspondence be addressed to Evans Studio rather than Golden Gate.  Interestingly, he also states in the letter that the Golden Gate Photo Co. is the name he is using for "our publicity and news department", but it's unknown if and when the older name ceased to be used altogether.

Several Evans portraits were taken in front of the second floor window at the front of the building, facing south.  This allowed Evans to occasionally use the sun as a light source, adding depth to the photograph.  Other photos show that there was a checkerboard floor in at least one section of the studio.

It's unknown when the studio was torn down, but the lot is currently in use as a parking lot on the west side of the Museum of Death. 

This is one of 2 photographs of the Evans Studio that appear in John Kobal's Hollywood: The Years of Innocence.  The 6 windows on the second floor are the ones seen in many portraits, including this one of Teddy Sampson and Rosemary Theby.  Also notice the use of the sun to backlight Ms. Theby's hair.