Historically Speaking: Why Didn't People Smile in Old Photos, or Did They?: Live Zoom Program

Presented by Archivist, Photographer, and Educator Gary Saretzky​

Back in the early days of photography in the 1840s, photographers said, “Say Prunes” instead of “Say Cheese” to get a facial expression considered appropriate for a portrait. Most sitters continued to display serious faces until the 20th century. Yet a small percentage of extant 19th century portraits show people smiling. Illustrated with numerous examples, including some celebrity portraits, this lecture explores the smiling/not smiling continuum in 19th century photographic portraiture.

Co-sponsored by the Monmouth County Historical Association.

Check out some of Saretzky's work in our New Jersey reference collection here.

This session will be conducted on Zoom and is free of charge. Registration and internet access are required to attend. Register below to receive emailed information on how to access the conversation. Zoom access link will be emailed the afternoon before the presentation.

Permission to present a program on behalf of the Virtual Library or in Library facilities is not an endorsement by the Library. This program is protected by copyright law; recording in any manner, without written agreement from the presenter, is strictly prohibited.