Cartes-de-visites were introduced to Britain in the late 1840's and began a new era in popular photography. Local studios and itinerant photographers ensured availability across the United Kingdom. This photograph was taken by R. Conquer of Haddington, in East Lothian.

This carte-de-visite is a photograph of a Victorian woman, wearing a crinoline dress. She is standing, leaning against a carved and turned wood chair.

The desire to capture images of women looking poised and graceful, led to most women being photographed in similar elegant poses. Men were pictured in a greater variety of poses than women. Popular photography allowed both sexes to record full length portraits, something that had previously been limited to the very rich.