Ernest F. RITZ (1847-1890) & George H. HASTINGS (1849? -1931) formed their partnership in 1880 in Boston. The union lasted until 1884, at which time both photographers went independent. Originally located at 58 Temple Street, the business "owing to a constantly increasing business" expanded in 1882 with a branch opening at 147 Tremont. RITZ presided over the former, HASTINGS the latter. In 1883 the business moved entirely to the Tremont site, but the photographers discovered that they preferred running separate domains. In 1884 they dissolved their commercial connection with RITZ returning to Temple Street and reactivating that studio.