“Hello, I’m Eleanor Bennett, and I’m looking for Pearl Fisher.”
“That would be me,” the older woman replied. “I was just telling Miss Bryant here that we were expecting you to join us today.”
Eleanor gave a broad smile. “I’m so excited. When I saw the girls walking around the expo taking pictures of people, I knew that was for me. I love photography. My father had his own shop back in Kansas, and I helped him all the time.”
“That’s what I read on your application.”
Eleanor nodded. “I just can’t get it out of my blood.”
“By the way, this is Addie Bryant. She’ll be training you.” A customer came in, and Pearl nodded to Addie. “She’s all yours.”
“You can call me Addie, and I will call you Eleanor, if that’s all right with you.”
“Oh goodness, yes.”
Addie liked the young woman’s attitude, and she was quite pretty and dressed in a comely fashion.
“Our uniform is as you see me dressed. Black skirt, any style or type of white blouse so long as it’s long sleeved and high-necked. We furnish the straw boater with its black ribbon, as well as a satchel to carry all of your supplies in, and then of course we have the Brownie cameras.”
Eleanor moved forward to where Addie pointed. “I have been reading about these and just know they will be very popular. Imagine the common person being able to take their own photographs.”
“Yes, the cameras are selling quite well, and this is the focus of Mr. Fisher’s duties here at the expo. He wants to sellas many of these cameras as he can. That’s why he created the Camera Girls. We go amongst the attendees of the fair and talk them into letting us take their photographs. Most people will come here that day or the next and purchase the postcard for ten cents. We will even mail them if need be.”
“Are most of the people we approach willing to sit for a photo?”
“I have found them cooperative overall. I remind them, especially ones with little children, that this is a moment in time that will never come again. I also remind them that this is the perfect keepsake from the exposition. Most people like that idea because while there are other souvenirs to purchase, this one is personal.”
“I love that idea.”
“You will walk maybe twenty miles in a day as you walk from one end of the expo to the other. You’ll need to be here by eight o’clock and stay until after we close the shop at five. Sometimes we have to remain behind for cleaning or inventory. If it’s a particularly well-lit evening and the skies are clear, you might be asked to stay on and work.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.” Eleanor glanced around the room. “I sure like the way you have some of the photographs in the window. That will really attract people’s attention.”
“Yes, I thought so too. I’ve seen quite a few stop to look at the pictures and then come into the shop. Mr. Fisher set up a little studio in the back where he takes photographs for folks who request it.”
“How nice. And how is it we’re to handle selling the Brownie?”
“Well, come over here, and I’ll show you.”
They skirted around Pearl and her customer and went in back, where Addie could show Eleanor the camera and its extra pieces.
Eleanor picked it up very fast. With all of her experience, Addie didn’t have to worry about teaching her to be careful of lighting or to watch the placement of her photography subjects. In less than half an hour, they were out on South Pay Streak Avenue.
“This is the area where people are spending money.” Addie pointed to some of the exhibits. “There are theatres and shows given round the clock and plenty of places to eat. A lot of folks like to buy something to eat and take it down by the lake or to the bandstand area. The gardens are another place where they go to stroll with their lunch. You can get some really great photographs in those places.”
“Oh, I intend to. I love plants and flowers. I’m hoping to be a botanist one day.”
“Then you’ll have plenty to explore here.”
“It is an amazing exposition,” Eleanor said, looking all around. “It’s hard to imagine ever having enough time to see it all.”
“It’s true. I’ve been trying to see a different exhibit every day during my lunch break. There’s just so much to learn.”
“I’ll try to do that as well.” She laughed. “I like the way you think, Addie.”
10
Isaac purposefully waited until close to five to appear at the photography shop. A heavy rain was falling, and a lot of folks had taken cover in the various buildings, including Fisher Photography.
