Edward Farndell was born 1837 in Bermondsey, UK. He arrived in Adelaide in 1859 on board the ship 'James Jardine' and married Margaret Harrison two years later.

In 1865 he worked out of Kent Town, Adelaide and in 1866 he occupied Robert Hall's former studio at 83 Hindley Street, Adelaide.

Farndell took pains in his professional life to make clear that he had no association with his brother, who also worked as a professional photographer in Adelaide. Although only married for thirteen years until his death, Edward Farndell and his wife had seven children.