This week's Sepia Saturday prompt photo show people walking along a street. It awoke my memories of seaside holidays and the photographers who plied their trade along the promenades, taking snapshots of people strolling by - hence the term "walkies" - as opposed to the current trend for "selfies"!
You paid money and either collected the photographs later at a kiosk, or could arrange for them to be posted home to you - just hoping they would arrive and this wasn't what we now call a "scam". We often did our best to dodge the photographers and not get caught by their hard sell.
A walk along Blackpool promenade, c.1946 with Mum and my paternal grandmother, who of course were both wearing hats. I don't look too happy, but I do like that little handbag I am carrying. My dressmaker mother made my coats, with velvet trimmed collar and pockets. This is the only image I have of myself with my grandmother.
Onto the 1950s and on holiday in Bournemouth on the south coast of England.
A double strip - at Bournemouth on the south coast of England - early 1950's, with Dad carrying my brother, and my aunt alongside. This would be August, yet my aunt was wearing a warm coat - so much for a British summer!
And finally - a photograph in my husband's collection - but he has no idea who it is. The only clue is a note on the back "Lots of Love from the four D's at Skegness!. I guess that it was taken late 1940's judging by the dress style of the older woman on the right and the fact both women were wearing hats. A typical image of a "Walkie" photograph.
Sepia Saturday gives an opportunity for genealogy bloggers
to share their family history through photographs.
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Great "Walkies" of the family. I've only encountered a "street" photographer once and politely refused the offer to have my picture taken. In the case of the one taken of you, your Mum, and your paternal grandmother being the only photograph you have of you in the same photo with your grandmother, what a lucky "Walkie" photo! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. I love the style people had, especially the hats.
ReplyDeleteSusan
I like how the camera captures people in motion as they are walking. It's a use of early advances in film and camera technology. I wonder who was the first photographer to think of this? I've since found examples of this kind of photo in my family collection from my grandparents generation taken on the streets of Chicago or New York.
ReplyDeleteI had my only encounter with a street photographer outside Buckingham Palace on only my second or third day in London. At first I didn't understand, being flattered that a man had taken my picture. But when he asked for £5 I balked and then talked him down to £2. Of course I never got the photo but I learned a lesson. My straw safari hat identified me as an easy tourist mark. Afterwards I never wore it again in London.