Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My Mom's Brownie Hawkeye

I can remember my Mom carrying this little square box around when I was a young girl. It would have been mostly during holidays or special occasions. Back then we didn't just take pictures to be taking pictures like we do now. Of course it was film that had to be dropped off or mailed in, picked up or mailed back and by the time you got them the holiday was long past. That was especially so if you saved a couple of rolls to have developed at the same time. This was taken this week at Mom's house. The camera sits on a shelf with many other mementos of times gone by.

This is a picture of my Mom during the time frame that she would have been using this little Brownie camera. I'm probably the one who would have taken this photo of her. Being the oldest had its perks. Not just anybody got to hold the camera. I wasn't quite a teenager at the time and as you can see not too adept at taking pictures. The picture was taken on Easter before we headed out for church. A few years later I recall that I too wore this suit to church on one or two occasions. Cherished memories caught by a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Camera.

For more Sepia Scenes click here.

35 comments:

Pacey said...

Wow, how I wish I could get hold of that and see how it works. That's a cool old thing, good that you still have it.

Annie Jeffries said...

Oh what I would not GIVE to have my old Brownie camera. Sweet!!

judi/Gmj said...

My childhood mirrors your in so many ways... My mom had one of these cameras also. Looks like the suit I got married in ... the first time.
:)

Nessa said...

Your Mom is beautiful. I love old pictures. The memories...

George said...

I remember my parents having this camera. I also am the oldest child, so I got to take a few pictures with it. I haven't seen that camera in years. I think you did a good job of taking your mother's picture.

EG CameraGirl said...

I think the photo turned out very well. As I recall, Brownie camera's didn't take perfect photos.

Anonymous said...

Memory making moments, indeed!

I truly thought the 1st pic was an authentically old shot - you really did a great job on it!

I love the frame around your mother's photo - Very vintage!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your comment/compliment on my sepia pic... I appreciate it muches & bunches!

JunieRose2005 said...

Loved this post, Carletta!

I had a camera, I think, just like this one. I got it the Christmas I was 11...the first year I didn't get a doll from 'Santa!'

I hated to give up my childhood (dolls) but I LOVED that camera. I took pictures of my young nieces and nephews who were just babies at the time!!

Thanks for bringing back these memories! :)

Your mom was very pretty- but you know that :)!



Junie

SquirrelQueen said...

What wonderful memories from a simple little camera. I think my parents had one of these. I don't have any of their cameras but we do have a couple that belonged to my husbands parents. I will have to get them out one day.
I think you took a great photo of your mom, she is beautiful.

Pat said...

So that's where you developed your love of photography, huh? Your mom was a good looking woman.

Stop by my blog to pick up an award I have for you.

Felisol said...

I remember the Brownie, if not the Hawkeye.
My dad was the photographer in our family. He had an old prewar camera, which couldn't quite be depended.
Daughter Serina has inherited it.
She has gone to photo school for a year and is still using her skills at her uni.
Isn't that wonderful how parents and grandparents can be a source of inspiration just by the love of a hobby??
I thin the shot of your mother was well done. The two of you haveing eye contact as she is headed for church in her best outfit, even with the chic hat to go.
My mother had a similar, must have been at the end of the fifties before Jackie K.'s pill box hats?
Thanks for sharing beautiful memories and memorabilia.
From Felisol

Janie B said...

We had a similar Brownie when I was growing up. I remember it well. What a great shot of your mother!

Anonymous said...

I remember my grandparents had a camera like that. I have a post set to go that shows a Brownie and some facts on it and photos :) Your mom was so pretty. Like Mama Like Daughter :)

Patti said...

I think that is a great photo of your mother. She is very pretty and stylish. Actually she reminds me of how my mother looked in the' 50s and '60s.

I remember the Brownie cameras, although we didn't have one. Nice post, Carletta.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carletta: That was such a different time in photography. There were a limited amount of photos on the roll and the cost was prohibited to take too many. Now we just snap away and see which one is best. I love this time with the camera.

Marice said...

honestly i havent heard of this one and i thank u for sharing this :) and btw, your mom looks as lovely as u :)

mine is up too

Janice Thomson said...

Delightful photos Carletta! Your mom is beautiful. You have just the right touch of sepia for these nostalgic photos - well done!

kayerj said...

what a nice memory of your mother, and how nice to share a passion with her. Perhaps she is the one that helped you find your talent with photography. This was a very enjoyable post.

Heidi said...

That was a fantastic picture of the camera! I would love to own something with that much history behind it. I love the photo that you took of your mom. It turned out great, I don't know what you are talking about!
If you'd like to stop by my blog I'm at Cake Crumbs.

Mimi said...

Beautiful pictures, and beautiful memories.
My Mother had a similar camera, and I too remember being one of the "chosen few" allowed to hold and use it.

Ralph said...

Your mom looks lovely. So many people dressed up for pictures back then, knowing how we would like to be remembered - the image would be seen in the future, and we wanted to look our best. The picture taken by a 12 year old looks wonderful!

Tom said...

A treat to see, the camera is a classic, and your mother as true beauty. You have the same cheek bones Carletta...

Napaboaniya APAD said...

A treasure :P
Not many of them are well kept like the one your mom has.
I like the picture of your mom too! :)

Luiz Ramos said...

Lovely post. Thanks.
Luiz Ramos

anemonen said...

I love the pictures! Very much

Rose said...

I liked this post, Carletta. I think you did a good job with camera.

NatureFootstep said...

great memories where sepia comes natural :)

gel said...

fascinating. I've never seen a cam in real life like that. So even when young, you had photo talent? That's a beautiful shot of your mom.

Janet, said...

My mother loved to take pictures, too. Her camera (and I still have it) was the kind you held down at arms length and looked in the small lens opening on the top of the camera. Love the picture of your mom!

maryt/theteach said...

Great sepia shots, Carletta. I used a Brownie camera when I was young! Your Mom is so pretty! Thanks for playing sepia Scenes! :)

Raven said...

Clearly you already had a good eye even when you were young. I remember that camera. We had one just like it at our house.

Stephany said...

omg. I haven't seen a Brownie in years! My dad had one of the old Voigtlander Superb box cameras. It took amazing photos.

Mikabella said...

Just lovely! Oh i wish i had a old georgous camera! Love the photo of your mom. She is stunning.

Splendid Little Stars said...

I think that is a very good photo of your mom! See she is facing slightly sideways, so the photo is rather artistic. The look on her face is great!