Founded by Stefan Lorant, the ousted editor of the influential Münchener Illustrierte Presse, Picture Post was staffed by many refugees. Its progressive, popular photo stories were a key part of its appeal, and it played an important role in an emerging social democratic consensus about the reconstruction of post-war British society. 

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Women photographers most associated with Picture Post were Gerti Deutsch, Elisabeth Chat and Edith Tudor-Hart. Their work contributed to its ground-breaking reportage on social and political issues through stories that delved into every corner of British life. Topics included child-rearing and progressive education, popular culture and explorations of working lives, as well as poodle parlours and the latest hats.