Verzameling reclamefoto's met kinderen before 1894

These advertising photos, showcasing children, were produced by William Gill, a photographer active around the turn of the 20th century. Photography, by its nature, has a direct relationship with industrial modes of production. It relies on mechanical and chemical processes to generate images and is thus tied to capitalism and mass consumption. But it's important to recognize the labor involved in the production process, from the photographer carefully composing each shot to the darkroom technicians developing the images. Consider the settings and props, chosen to convey a sense of middle-class respectability. The photographic process, in its capacity to capture likeness, democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider public than ever before. But at the same time, the photographer's skill, equipment, and studio space still represented a significant investment, reflecting the social and economic hierarchies of the time. Understanding photography means appreciating its fusion of technology, artistic skill, and social context, challenging traditional notions of art and craft.