Castle Farms owner Linda Mueller has always loved taking pictures. Linda’s historic camera collection in 2009 began as a special display for her annual Antique Wedding Gown and Quilt Display. The camera collection seems a perfect thing to include. What bridal couple doesn’t take photos on their honeymoon? When Linda and new husband Richard were married in 1969, they snapped plenty of photos with their Kodak Instamatic, including one of their VW van which they drove to Niagara Falls and back. The van was stuffed with newspapers and rice, courtesy of Richard’s uncle. “I’ll never forget that van,” says Linda. “Years later, we were still finding pieces of rice inside!”
People have been capturing special moments in their lives since the beginning of time. During the Stone Age, cavemen drew pictures on cave walls. In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci used oils paints to honor Francesco del Giocondo’s beloved wife Lisa (the Mona Lisa). By 1856, a process called Tintype used thin sheets of iron to provide a base for light sensitive material. The era of modern photography was born.
George Eastman began selling developing film in 1888. Eastman’s new Kodak camera was offered at affordable prices. Amateur photographers could snap 100 pictures before taking the film in for development.
In 1900, the Brownie camera gave birth to the idea of an ‘instamatic’. While a loaf of bread cost 15 cents, people could pay the cheap price of $7.00, buy their very own Brownie, and take their own pictures. The Brownie remained a popular choice through the 1960s.
Linda Mueller’s parents Eva and Don were married in 1944. A Kodak Special or Baby Brownie Special might have been used to capture this great shot of their car decorated in style as they headed out on their honeymoon.
In the late 60s, the use of ‘flashcubes’ made it easy and convenient to shoot photos at night and indoors. While wedding photographers were there for professional shots, informal shots of the bride and groom were often captured by friends and family.
“Put One on Every Table!” Kodak targeted bridal couples with disposable cameras. The marketing paid off, and wedding guests became roving photographers during weddings in the late 1990s.
Since then, smart phones and the Internet have changed the way we live AND the way we take pictures. Honeymoon ahead? Grab your smart phone and snap away. Share your selfies. Send friends spur-of-the-moment pics on Snapchat. Post those honeymoon-couple-having-fun-on-the-beach shots on Instagram. This isn’t your Grandma’s honeymoon, and they’re not your Grandma’s photos.