Living Coram Deo: Capturing The Shot
At three months old, I refused to cooperate with the photographer trying to take my portrait. Every time he tried to coax a smile, I grimaced and frowned. Convinced I was cross, he finally gave up and suggested we try another day.
While he and my mother discussed possible dates, Mother held me close, and the photographer suddenly stopped. Seeing the contented expression on my face, he exclaimed, “That’s exactly what I want!”
He explained that I seemed peaceful only in her arms, so he proposed a clever solution: draping her with fabric. She agreed. They covered her in a beige cloth, and she cradled me securely. Perfectly content, I finally smiled, and he captured the shot.
Years later, while researching Victorian photography, I discovered that the technique was known as the “Hidden Mother.” In the 1860s, long exposure times meant a squirming infant would appear as a ghostly blur. Photographers routinely draped mothers in dark fabric to blend into the studio backdrop while they kept their babies still. If you look closely at those antique portraits, you can often spot a mother’s “restraining arm” under the drapery.
My baby picture and those 19th-century portraits offer a comforting glimpse into our relationship with God.
When life feels chaotic or overwhelming, we often wonder where God has gone. In seasons of silence and uncertainty, it can feel like we are sitting alone in the frame. But when we look with eyes of faith, we realize He is right there behind the scenes, holding us securely so we do not fall. We are safe. We can lean back into Him and rest, knowing He has us.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” -Deuteronomy 33:27
P.S. If quirky 19th-century photography and forgotten history fascinate you, you’ll feel right at home in my post-Civil War mystery, Moment in Time.)
