Unveiling the Family Photo
Vera serves cake and coffee to the crowd of curious neighbors who’ve come to see the picture.
“First in the county,” William brags.
“That picture man travelled sixty miles in a wagon, bringing camera, chemicals and dark room.”
The men murmur in amazement.
Vera can’t wait to tell her story. “We had to be still, like statues!”
“I taught my six children the freeze-defrost game long ago, to get some peace. So when the picture man got ready to click, I hissed, “Freeze”.
“Not a squirm nor a smile for twenty whole minutes!” Vera says proudly.
“A miracle,” everyone agrees.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI always thought those old pictures where the faces looked so stricken were because the people had been sat so long that they were desperate for a bathroom break (sorry, probably a poor attempt at raising an extra smile!). Great story anyway Fuji, we don’t quite realise how easy many of us have it now with a camera always in our pockets / bags and the photographs instantly visible, not to mention… Read more »
Hi Carrie – I’m so sorry you’ve had such a hard time with Covid. Glad to have you back! Yes, I always thought those folks were a dour lot back in the early picture taking days. I didn’t realize what an accomplishment it was to actually have a family portrait! The family had to “freeze” once the travelling photographer clicked the shutter, which would stay open for about twenty minutes. No one… Read more »
The photograph session might not have put a smile on Vera’s family’s faces but it certainly put a smile on mine, Fuji. ? How times have changed! I doubt kids today could stand still for longer than 5 minutes. Great story reminding us of a time when life was a lot simpler!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYour photo and story bring back memory, Fuji. I am mesmerized by those simplest ways of living before, as I remember them. You keep me smiling from the reading title until the end, Fuji. Well done.
Ohh, yes! Love the gossipy Vera and William telling of their first photograph experience. I can picture curious neighbours sitting in their living room marveling over the photograph.
You have captured the feeling for what photography meant to people about 100-150 years ago, Fuji! It’s hard to imagine how amazing it was for a family to have their picture taken then, especially outside the big cities, which your picture indicates. A very clever use of the prompt!
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