A pretty young mother and her toddler son pose for their portrait at the Johnstone studio in Hartford, Connecticut. Mom is looking at the photographer with a suspicious expression while her son appears quite unhappy and terrified. Photography Journals of this era often contained articles about how to achieve the best photographs of children. Either this child was exceptionally difficult to distract or calm down, or Mr Johnstone was unfamiliar with the aforementioned literature. The 1903 Hartford directory lists Christopher Johnstone as a photographer located at 45 Pratt Street. Wilson’s Photographic Magazine (1904) reports that Johnstone was the President of the Photographers Association of New England.
PRETTY YOUNG MOTHER WITH TODDLER SON IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
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Sweet photograph! I see the mother as serious but calm and the young boy leaning into his mother for affection, and perhaps comfort. Really lovely photo.