Among the earliest photographers who left a significant mark on Malta’s photographic history, Michele Zahra stands tall. His story is intertwined with the evolution of photography in Malta, beginning with his first studio in Cottonera in 1860. Zahra’s studio, located at 2 Strada Cospicua on Sta Margherita Hill, was one of the first of its kind in Malta, embodying the pioneering spirit of the time.

Photography Boom and Zahra’s Move to Valletta

During the 1860s, the Three Cities area, where Cottonera is located, was experiencing an economic boom due to activities around the Grand Harbour. Zahra’s studio was right at the heart of this growth. As demand for photography swelled around 1865, Zahra aimed to relocate to Valletta. However, he was preceded by James Conroy, who had already set up a studio in the capital in 1863.

Zahra’s initial attempt to establish a foothold in Valletta involved a partnership with a commercial outlet. This innovative idea of operating a photography studio within a fashion outlet showed promise, but it didn’t last.

Collaborations and Ventures

Zahra then collaborated with the Salvatore Schembri firm from 1866 to 1868, a partnership reflected in the ‘Schembri et Zahra’ nomenclature on some Carte de Visite (CDVs). Unfortunately, this partnership also came to an end.

By 1868, Zahra had set up a studio at 125 Strada Britannica in Valletta, operating in tandem with his original Cospicua studio. The new location was at 278 Strada Reale, a site that would later become synonymous with the Richard Ellis family’s photographic dynasty.

The Legacy of Michele Zahra

The Cospicua studio, passed down to Zahra’s sons, was rebranded as Michele Zahra Sons Light Truth Studio. Renowned for its ornate cabinet card versos featuring a mythological figure, the studio stood out. Despite facing competition and eventually closing its doors in the 1930s, the legacy of Zahra’s studio has endured.

Today, Michele Zahra’s contribution to Maltese photographic history, his pioneering spirit, and the studios he established are remembered with admiration and respect.