Farewell, Sears Portrait Studio
Disclaimer: I don’t know for sure if that gorgeous masterpiece was taken at a Sears Portrait Studio, but the stunningly artistic background, the beautifully crafted mullet and the WTF look on that dog’s face tells me it was.
In news that should make every American cry into a brown swirly cloth backdrop, The Wall Street Journal reports that it’s the end of an awkward family photos era, because Sears has closed all of its portrait studios. The first Sears Portrait Studio opened in 1959 and it quickly became the go-to place for families to take the perfect awkward and fucked up picture. Here’s the sad statement from Sears:
After many years of providing family portrait photography, we are sad to announce our Sears Portrait Studios are now closed. We appreciate your patronage and allowing us to capture your precious memories. If you currently have an album or have had a recent portrait session, you can order products at searsphotos.com thru April 18, 2013.
If you have had a recent session, your portraits may be available at your local studio.
In honor of this sad occasion, I would post the Sears Portrait I took as a kid, but I don’t think anybody’s in the mood to stare a fat chipmunk with an afro.
This is some sadness for your Saturday, but at least we still have Olan Mills and Glamour Shots. If both of those close, then all cameras should be destroyed and nobody should be allowed to take another picture again. We have failed the art of photography if Olan Mills and Glamour Shots shut down.