Grown-ups play dress-up

Published 11:17 pm Monday, August 27, 2007

We’ve all seen them. Your uncle sent one in a Christmas card, and your old college buddy has his propped on the mantle. You’ve even watched, standing back from the limelight, while one was made. They’re the classic novelty

Item: the Old West photo in sepia tone.

“It’s just one of those things,” said Doug Kohl of Everett, who posed with his wife, Jacinth, as an outlaw and a saloon girl couple. Before Saturday night, the Kohls hadn’t been to the Evergreen State Fair in 25 years. Strolling past Frontier Photo, they decided it was time to join the ranks and make their own cowboy image. It was a “spur-of-the-moment decision,” says Doug.

Suzanne Johnson of Tacoma cinched Jacinth’s dress to sauce the pose, and the Kohls got into character, cock-eyed and serious.

Owner Cherie Lorenzetti of Spokane is prepared for anyone large or small — including dogs — who’d like a picture. She’s grazed antique stores and Victorian catalogs to amass her collection of Old West and American Indian garb.

One year ago at the Evergreen State Fair, Kolleen Resignalo of Ashford took a memorable picture. A gentleman had an engagement ring and he asked Resignalo to help him surprise his girlfriend.

“He wanted me to tell her it was part of the costume,” she recalls. “When she saw the ring, we were both shaking and she began to cry.” The answer, of course, was yes, and the moment was captured forever.

Suzanne Johnson thinks people are attracted to Frontier Photo because they like to play dress-up.

“It’s like Halloween; you get to be another character. And everyone wants to be a cowboy.”