Century-Old Photograph Reveals What It Used to Take to Capture the Perfect Selfie

Believe it or not, it hasn’t always been so easy to snap a selfie. A photograph, roughly 100 years old, recently surfaced revealing what lengths some individuals would go to in order to capture that perfect self-portrait.

One of my favorite things about doing my own genealogy research is the photographs I often stumble upon. Being a portrait photographer, I tend to find myself taking a moment to stop and appreciate these old portraits and the photographer’s ability to capture a visually pleasing collection of light, all while using the equipment that was available to them at that time.

Self-portraits, or “selfies” as we tend to refer to them today, were not all that uncommon throughout history, however the methods for which self-portraits are captured have obviously become significantly simpler.

A recent post on Reddit surfaced an image, roughly 100 years old, in which the photographer must have made the extra effort to include himself. Seen in the photograph below is a family of four, pictured among the foliage likely surrounding their home — a common image in the U.S. throughout the early 20th century. Not so common is the placement of an ornate mirror, perched up on a tree stump in such a way that the photographer can be seen in its reflection.

Perhaps this was a relative’s creative way to include himself in the family portrait? It’s hard to say, but I find old photographs such as this interesting to look at.

It isn't just the current generation that's known for snapping self portraits, and to the displeasure of some, the selfie isn't going anywhere. Let's see your most creative selfie in the comments below.