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However, photography in the 1880s was still very different from modern photography.
Taking a portrait was not a casual activity. Cameras required long exposure times, meaning subjects had to remain still for several seconds or even longer. Because of this, photographs from the Victorian period often show serious expressions rather than smiles.
A family portrait was usually created for important reasons:
- To preserve memories of loved ones
- To celebrate milestones
- To document family identity
- To create keepsakes for future generations
Children were especially important subjects because childhood was considered precious but uncertain. During the Victorian period, childhood illnesses and high mortality rates meant families often created portraits to remember children who might not live into adulthood.
This historical context gives photographs from this era an emotional depth that modern viewers sometimes overlook.