This is the late 30's not that late 1880's. A camera photo was a novelty, but not a rarity. They are groomed enough, but the children are clearly dirty and lower class. I assume they were probably playing outside before the picture was taken. They are effectively well kempt for their condition.
Almost no shot anyone that poor had a camera and very rarely would even any of their friends have a camera even in the 1930s. That's why I specified "in their class", this might be one of only 2-3 photos of them in their entire lives.
While more people would have had access to photography, this mas was a West Virginia coal miner, just outside of Morgantown, WV, near the PA border. Which means yeah, this was probably one of the only photographs of him that exist. They are extremely poor by comparison.
This is the late 30's not that late 1880's. A camera photo was a novelty, but not a rarity. They are groomed enough, but the children are clearly dirty and lower class. I assume they were probably playing outside before the picture was taken. They are effectively well kempt for their condition.
Almost no shot anyone that poor had a camera and very rarely would even any of their friends have a camera even in the 1930s. That's why I specified "in their class", this might be one of only 2-3 photos of them in their entire lives.
I found a source
While more people would have had access to photography, this mas was a West Virginia coal miner, just outside of Morgantown, WV, near the PA border. Which means yeah, this was probably one of the only photographs of him that exist. They are extremely poor by comparison.