Nicholas John Caire was born in Guernsey on February 28th 1837. His family, who were of Scottish descent, emigrated to Adelaide circa 1858. Caire pursued his interest as a photographer while working as a hairdresser. He studied photography under Townsend Duryea and became a travelling photographer. In 1865-68 he had a studio at 97 Hindley Street, Adelaide. In 1870 he moved his business to Scandinavian Crescent, Talbot, Victoria. From 1872-75 he was based at View Place, Sandhurst (now Bendigo), Victoria. In 1876 Caire purchased the Melbourne studio of Thomas F. Chuck. In 1880 he was active at 11 Royal Arcade, Bourke Street, Melbourne and in the same year he was one of three official photographers to the Melbourne International Exhibition and was later made photographer by special appointment to the government of Victoria. In 1885 Caire moved to 2 Darling Street, South Yarra. He occupied various studios in South Yarra until circa 1900.