Harry Whittier Frees

Harry Whittier Frees (1879–1953) was an American photographer who created novelty postcards, magazine spreads, and children's books based on his photographs of posed animals.

Early life

Frees was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1879, after which his family moved to Oaks, Pennsylvania.

Work He dressed the animals and posed them in human situations with props, often with captions; these can be seen as progenitors of modern lolcats.

On the choice of cats for his photos Frees states in his book Animal Land on the Air:

He used 1/5th of a second exposures

In 1937 he was working in Audubon, assisted by a housekeeper who made the animal costumes.

Personal life He remained single and spent much of his life caring for his parents; after they died he moved to Clearwater, Florida.

Death Frees committed suicide in 1953 after being diagnosed with cancer.