The photographs in this collection are part of the records of the London County Council (LCC) 1889-1965 and Greater London Council (GLC) 1965-1986. They originated to record the work of these local authorities but soon came to be used by those researching the history of London.

There are two sequences on the London Picture Archive, one arranged topographically (SC/PHL/01), the other arranged by subject (SC/PHL/02). The collection is particularly strong on representations of domestic buildings and streets (especially within the LCC area), housing, schools, hospitals and leisure activities. Most of the photographs were taken by in-house photographers.