Sometime around 1910, a young Virginian sat for a photographic portrait.
The portrait was made and printed at Kramer’s Studio in Petersburg, Virginia.
Petersburg is an historic city on the Appomattox River, about 20 miles southeast of Richmond.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petersburg,_Virginia
It is likely that the photographer at Kramer’s Studio suggested various poses to our hero.
The selected pose suggests thoughtfulness and deliberation.
The young man’s attire resembles that of many other subjects of studio portraits – a high, stiff, shirt collar, pants with a wide cuff, the sturdy and high- laced shoes.
While some photographs were made to celebrate milestones or special events (graduation, engagement, travel, e.g.), we know from postcard stories that many other photographs were made simply to be exchanged with friends and pen pals.
We hope the photograph of this young man was shared with many friends.
(I made digital repairs of small scratches and folds on the face)