Daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes were some of the first photographic processes used in the United States after photography’s invention in the mid-nineteenth century. Thanks to mass production of supplies and low costs, these fagile, cased images were circulated by the millions. The most popular subject of these small photographs was the portrait. Sitters typically wore their finest clothing when having a likeness made, but many—such as this firefighter—chose to wear outfits or pose with props that symbolized a profession or hobby.