Marie Louise Burke wrote in Swami Vivekananda in the West - New Discoveries (Vol. 4, p. 521, 529): "As the time for Swamiji’s departure from England drew near [December 1896], Miss Souter, as though to stay the sun in its passage, had the professional photographer Alfred Ellis take twelve studio pictures of him - one of which was the familiar meditation photo. In recent years a proof sheet from the photographic studio of Alfred Ellis & Walery Photographers, 51 Baker Street, London, has come to light in which six (not twelve) poses of Swamiji are shown. They are: the well-known meditation pose; one bust with robe and turban (right profile);one bust with robe and bare head (full face); two full length with robe and turban; one full length with robe and bare head."

We found further information in Vishwavani (1929: Vol. 2, No. 12, p 858) that Swami Abhedananda was present when Swamiji’s meditation picture was taken. Swamiji sat cross-legged with his pants and shoes on, and he covered his feet with his robe.