Pretty Pictures

Sears Portraits

Vanity has always been a key element of photography. Probably as much as the desire to document and capture the world around us, photography is fueled in part by our desire to project an idealized vision of how we see ourselves. Prior to the advent of photography, historical figures have always sought to immortalize themselves in opulent painted portraits, often portraying themselves in a flattering, often exaggerated light. If Napoleon was alive today, his myspace page would be littered with coy self-portraits sporting arched eyebrows, puckered lips, and a caption reading, “Hot to trot! LOL ;)”

One of the more iconic forms of portrait photography is the family portrait. Just as every year millions of families force their reluctant children into snowflake sweaters, pile into their station wagons, and head down to the local mall to pose in feigned smiles before Holiday-themed backdrops, so too did our forefathers. This strange, beautifully-framed photograph, which measures almost 3 feet across, was taken in 1901 in New York. It depicts a loving couple in Colonial dress, as such nostalgia was probably en vogue at the time. This might have been how a couple would show their social status, and “cultured ways.” It might also just have been a gag, but I somehow doubt it. Pay special notice to the contrasting expressions and coincidental positioning that placed the a painted bird right behind the wife’s head.

Much like our present day Sears portraits or perhaps even novelty photos like this gem I found from a family trip to the Gold Country near the foothills of the Sierras (that’s me with the rifle and mean mug), portrait photography has remained a way for families to capture cherished memories and perhaps present themselves in a different light. If I remember correctly, that grimace wasn’t staged. I was a difficult and stubborn child, who hated leaving the city. I once infamously made my frustrated parents turn-around once we reached Yosemite because I “hated the trees.” Sadly, not much has changed.