When did Walter Pfeiffer begin his photography career?

Walter Pfeiffer begin is photography career in the late 1960s, though he did not follow a traditional career path. He trained as a window dresser, a job that gave him an early sense of visual composition and display. His photography developed alongside his friendships and social life rather than through formal assignments. During the 1970s, he started taking photographs regularly, capturing people around him in Switzerland and nearby cities. He produced handmade artist books during this period, often photocopied or printed in limited runs. These early publications were not widely distributed at the time, which meant his work stayed relatively unknown for many years. Recognition came much later, especially after exhibitions in the 1990s and early 2000s brought attention to his archive. His timeline shows how artistic work can exist quietly for decades before gaining wider appreciation.