Figure 1.-- The beach photograph here is from a North Sea beach resport, probably near Bremen. It was probably taken about 1910-1912. Notice the photographic studio (Otto Smansen) right on the beach. Also note the cabana. This was called a Strandkorb. They were very popular at German beaches. The adults could sit and talk there and there was a curtain that could be lower in case anyone wanted to change into a bathing costume. Click on the image for a wider view. Image courtesy of the BP collection.

As with America, England, France, and other countries, it was popular to have portraits taken in studios located at these beach resorts. There is quite a bit of information about German beach resorts in these portraits. We always assumed that the studios were located in nearby towns. We note one North Sea beach where the studio was located right on the beach. We notice a big board outside the studio where the photographer posted copies of many portraits taken of the beach goers. We note a wide range of outfits in these beach portraits. Of course, no garment was more popular for these beach resort portraits than sailor suits. Both boys and girls wore them. Before the turn of the century beach resport photography was normally taken in the studios with beach scene backgrounds. The previous page shows an example of sea resort photography. After the turn of the century we see mostly outdoor photographs taken by the beach goers themselves.

Location

We always assumed that the studios where all these vacation photographs were taken were located in nearby towns. We note one North Sea beach where the studio was located right on the beach (figure 1). We notice a big board outside the studio where the photographer posted copies of many portraits taken of the beach goers. Note the vacationers looking at the portraits the studio posted on the board outside the studio.

Beach Clothing

We note a wide range of outfits in these beach portraits. Of course, no garment was more popular for these beach resort portraits than sailor suits. Both boys and girls wore them.

Types of Beach Photography

Before the turn of the century beach resport photography was normally taken in the studios with beach scene backgrounds. The previous page shows an example of sea resort photography. After the turn of the century we see mostly outdoor photographs taken by the beach goers themselves. The beach photograph here is from a North Sea beach resport about 1910-1912 (figure 1). I assume the portrait was taken by the father. (Note that there is no man in the portrait.) It is so perfectly posed, however, that it seems more like a professional portrait.

Bremen Area North Sea Beach

I'm not sure who the people are in the portrait. We assume that the portrait includes brothers and sister or perhaps a cosin aling with mother, geandmother, and aunts. This photograph comes from a Bremen photo album and one of the flags on the picture has the Hamburg crest. So it must be the North Sea. The back you can see a photographic studio. Note that it is right on the beach. The signs advertise the studio/atelier and a place where vacationers can leave luggage. Notice the cabana. This was called a Strandkorb. They were very popular at German beaches. The vacationers would dig a big hole out of the sand and put their cabana in it. The adults could sit and talk there and there was a curtain that could be lower in case anyone wanted to change into a bathing costume. One the wider view (click on figure 1) there are all kinfs of little flags. I am not sure what they are for. Perhaps they were popular tourist purchases. A German reader suggests, "As building sand castles was very popular, this may explain why some were purchased. I have seen several beach photographs with these flags atop of sand castles.".

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Created: 7:11 PM 11/6/2005
Last updated: 7:11 PM 11/6/2005