Wilfred Lawson West was born in Bourneville, England in 1896 to Samuel and Emma West. He was employed as a young apprentice photographer before immigrating to Canada. He arrived in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1907 and was employed as a cattle herder before apprenticing with the Johnson Brothers photographic studio in 1912. West joined the Canadian Army in 1914 and worked on various war bond campaigns. He was given a medical discharge in 1918.
Upon his return to Regina, West was employed briefly as a boys' work secretary with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) before he purchased the Johnson Art Studio in 1918 and renamed the business in his name. His photographic works included portraits of prominent politicians to local families, as well as scenes capturing commercial, social, and cultural life in Regina. Aside from operating his business, West was involved in the community as a member of the King Hiram Lodge, the Wascana Kiwanis Club, and the Regina Little Theatre Society. He retired in 1955 and sold his business to his brother, Horace. After his retirement, West retired to Clarkson, Ontario. He died there on June 16, 1970.
