At the photographer's
           

 
Facing the camera with new clothes
One of the first things emigrants did when they arrived in the USA was to replace their clothes. The clothes they had from home were often different and old-fashioned and made them conspicuous, and it was important not to look like a "newcomer". The second thing they did was to go to the photographer’s and have portraits taken in their new clothes in the new country. The pictures were sent home to family and friends to prove that they were managing well in the new country. The photographs thus fueled new dreams of emigrating.

Most of those who had been to America brought a photo album with them when they returned home. In the early twentieth century this often had a plush or silk cover and contained thick pockets where portrait photos of themselves, friends and family could be inserted. Many people have such albums at home, and they often no longer know the names of all the people in the pictures. Nonetheless these albums are of value as they tell us about the importance of the photographs and about relationships, changes in fashion and how people wanted to portray themselves. 

Pictures were taken at the photographer’s on various occasions – alone or with family, friends or colleagues. Visits were also made to the photographer for special events such as engagements, weddings, christenings and confirmation. As it became more common to own a camera, home photos replaced some of the photographs taken professionally.



 
A girl from Lista in America between the      Youn men at the photographers early in the 1900s.
wars.

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