How Bedford Lemere established himself as a photographer is not known. But the firm's first daybook reveals that he cultivated architectural commissions from an early date. By the mid-1870s, he had built an impressive client list that included many leading architects. Harry Bedford Lemere joined his father in business in 1881 and by 1888 was the firm's leading photographer. Building on his father's client list Harry extended the firm's range to make Bedford Lemere & Co. the pre-eminent architectural photographers of the age.