The little girl featured in this vintage photograph apparently is a “girly girl”. That phrase is not meant to be a slur; it just means that she enjoys the more feminine look. She is wearing a frilly dress, her hair is nicely braided and has a pretty bow, and she is wearing an elaborate hat. The front of the hat is nearly triangle shaped and it is adorned with flowers and a feather. The Himea & Elam studio of Lafayette, Indiana, is the creator of this vintage image. Chas Himea is listed in the 1910 US census. He was born in Maryland in 1872 and died in Indiana in 1944. His wife was named Estella but she was also known as Ella. At the time of the census the couple had a thirteen year old son (Leslie) and Chas was working as a photographer. His name appears in a number of Lafayette business directories between 1903 and 1915. Interestingly, the 1957 directory lists a photography store bearing the Himea name. Himea’s partner was Warren G. Elam. Elam was born in Indiana (1874) and married Alice Elam in 1899. He is listed in the 1900 US census as a photographer but, by at least 1920, he was out of the profession and living in California.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
Of course, the girly-girl look may have been instigated by Mother. The little girl looks pretty stoic about her attire.
Looks like that high collar might be a little bit scratchy – plenty of starch! – and uncomfortable. A charming hat, though!
Renee was born in 1889 and raised on a farm in Indiana. Her Mother was a seamstress and milliner who custom-made Renee’s hat and dress for this photo in 1899. Their family never traveled to town without dressing as if they were going to church–her Father’s rule. Renee conservatively pursued academics while her younger sister flamboyantly danced and sang –and would have loved this photo shoot. Renee attended DePauw University and pursued a teaching license while little sister traveled in light opera during the Roaring Twenties. There are many later, lovely images of Renee in fabulous hats. She became a “hat girl” after all!