Who Were They?

This anonymous baby wears a beautiful dress and is actually smiling. By the 1890s, the shutter speed on cameras had improved quite a bit and baby photos were less difficult to capture. I say less difficult because even with our modern high speed cameras, there is a very good chance of an unpredictable baby moving right when the shutter is clicked! This photo, while damaged and faded, was probably a family treasure because it shows the baby in such a happy mein.

The photographer was Fordtran at Kensington, Blue Island and Riverdale. State, county or country unknown.