This cabinet card photograph features a pretty young woman with long hair draped over her right shoulder. The image was produced by the Neal Brothers studio in Keota, Iowa. The Milwaukee Journal (1949) has an article about Edwin E. Neal who took over the Keota studio in 1888 and operated it until 1948. It is written that he only used one camera throughout his career. He did change lenses several times as advances were made in the field of photography. Neal’s wife assisted him with photo finishing, posing subjects, and running the business. At some point in his career, according to a different source, Edwin worked in partnership with his brother Charles. To view other photographs by Edwin Neal, click on the category “Photographer: Neal”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
This is a very interesting photo.
I wonder why she chose to let her hair hang loose, which most women just didn’t do on public, much less allow themselves to be photo’ed, b/c it was considered too intimate, i.e, sexy.
Also, she is pulling up her skirt to show her petticoat and (shod) ankles and feet. This would have been considered to be highly suggestive at the time.
Maybe it is a pic for a lover ? a mail order bride ? Was she a sex worker ?
I would really love to know what is going on in this beautiful unusual photo.