William Notman was born in Paisley, Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1856. He owned studios in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Halifax. He was known for staged winter scenes, meticulously created inside the studio and using innovative techniques such as a magnesium flare to give the illusion of a camp fire. In 1882 he formed William Notman & Son, with his son William McFarlane Notman.