Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong…
John Denver, Country Roads, 1971
1980s Discount Store Photography
Today’s Daily Photo features two brothers with super shiny hair, broad smiles, and cowboy shirts, February 1981. The “found photo” is one of my latest acquisitions from Etsy and can be categorized as discount store photography or portraiture. According to Flashbak.com, found photos are “not presented by anyone associated with the photo. Rather, they were found at a flea market or antique store or something.” The author goes on to say that posting found photos is not condescending, but rather good-natured fun. I definitely feel that way about it. I never want it to seem like I’m making fun of anyone. The whole point of sharing old pictures of Gen-Xers is to honor our time and place in history.
Growing up, I had two portraits made at a little discount store called Wacker’s in West Texas. I also had a few made at Wal-Mart and K-Mart. These pictures often faded to this weird orangey-purple color over time. I also had portraits done at Olan Mills and various department stores like JC Penney’s and Sears well into the 1990s. Later this week, I think we’ll have Olan Mills Day on the Facebook page. That should be fun!
I like what Jane on Facebook said in response to this picture: “Children were so freakin’ real when we were little. I love the imperfections in pictures from when we were little. Their hair isn’t perfect. Their smiles are real.” Also, Christy responded, “Exactly! There were no fancy photoshoots with a vintage pickup full of pumpkins in the background and us sitting on hay bales. We got our a**es dressed up, drove over to Olan Mills, and sat in front of that blue backdrop. Or, in the fake library backdrop if your mom was feeling fancy.”
I love the Daily Photo on Facebook so much! It is such a day-brightener when people respond with their photos. Thanks for being a subscriber.
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