Memoirs are better with illustration; and your family photos are the place to begin. Sometimes a memoir can be much enlivened by the addition of place photos. If you want to widely sell your memoir, it’s especially important to use photos with permission. If you are looking for photos of Nashville, or of trains, I can recommend Nashville Historic Prints. On their website you can view some marvelous examples of the large collection. Ask for what you need, and be sure to explain your purpose for permission purposes. It’s a family business, beginning with the collection of Joe Horton Studio.
The late Mr. Horton’s daughters, “…Yvonne Hobbs and Rebecca Horton, continue to run the studio offering the same services that Mr. Horton began over 50 years ago, namely portraiture, photography to the Catholic community and restoration. His grandson, Jay Hobbs has joined the business to share the collection of over 1,000 images of historic buildings and places in and around Nashville, some still standing…many others long gone, interesting people, historic events, street scenes offering a peek into the past of daily life in Nashville, the railroad industry, rural life in America, etc.”
You can also browse their photos at scheduled trade shows. Call them next time you are seeking some Nashville illustration.
Here’s a mystery picture! This looks like a railroad station in Abita Springs, Louisiana. It’s the only unidentified photo among our family collection. I had a great-grandfather who was from New Orleans. There is one picture of his grandmother. Could this be a picture of his mother? I’ll never know. Save your family from such mysteries – identify your photos. If you write on the back, though, be sure to choose a place, such as the foreground of this photo, that won’t bleed through and muddle – or write on a label that sticks on the back. Archival paper mounts and envelopes? Even better.
Since I know more about scanning than preserving, if you know more, please comment. And enjoy your browsing with the Nashville Historic Prints site. Future posts will include more Memoir Writing lessons and Powerpoints. Have a memorable day!
Deborah Wilbrink
