 He married the Swiss Helena Friese (born Victoria Mariana Helena Friese) on 24 March 1874, and in a remarkable move for the era, decided to add her maiden name to his surname.In 1877 he set up his own studio in Bath, and by 1881 had expanded his business with more studios in Bath, Bristol and Plymouth.In Bath he came into contact with John Arthur Roebuck Rudge.