Post mortem photography

Definition of post mortem (postmortem): Done after death.

Post Mortem photography, as we call it, is taking pictures of someone who passed away.
In the early days of photography a photograph was expensive and only available for the more wealthy men and women and not for the common people.
Sadly, often these people had only the money for one photo and that was when drama hit the family.
When death had taken a loved one the family wanted a last remembrance to be made so they would have something to cherish and keeping it close to their heart.
That’s why most post mortem photo’s are taken with love and care.
Childhood mortality was even higher in the past and parents spend much time at home or the photographer’s studio to make their child look alive or just sleeping and having sweet dreams. Dressed in their finest clothes, laid out on a bed or couch with flowers and/or a toy.

For different reasons these pictures end up in antique shops, auctions, estate and garage sales.
Think about what was written above and read the reason why those pictures were taken and shouldn’t get lost, they need to be preserved.
You can register at www.antiquephotoalbum.nl where you can view more then 2500 post mortem photos.

Who thinks that’s all in the past and we don’t have that custom anymore, might be surprised that it’s still very common.
The only difference is that we all have a camera now and we don’t need a professional photographer anymore.
There are many memorial sites, especially for children and babies, the parents have chosen to share pictures of their ‘angels’ with us.

Visit our site and see the beauty in the photos from the past.
www.antiquephotoalbum.nl

You can view enlargements of the next pictures on the galleries after your registration.

 Little girl laid out on a bed  Small boy laid out on his crib  Baby in a casket surrounded by flowers  Baby girl holding a small doll

4 Responses to “Post mortem photography”

  • Boatswain:

    Hello Catarina,
    Don’t know what exactly you mean because there is no option to register for visitors.
    Visitors can leave comments, however they have to be approved to prevent flooding this bloq with spammers messages.

    Boatswain

  • Catarina:

    I tried to register but it won’t work, tried several times but just got an error.

  • Boatswain:

    Hello Shurie

    You can mail them to boatswain@antiquephotoalbum.nl and I will have a look at them.
    Another option is, if you are a member already, to upload them to the post mortem albums member uploads, so other members can give their opinions as well.
    http://www.antiquephotoalbum.nl/pmgalleries/

    Greetings
    Boatswain

  • Shurie Southcott:

    Dear Boatswain, I would like to have you look at three photos and get your opinion on possible post-mortem. Is there any way you can do this if I email them to you.

    Shurie Southcott
    Granada Hills, Ca