5 vintage family portraits that are hilarious (though mildly terrifying)

Sitting for an early photograph was a time-consuming business. Exposure times were hours long lending Victorian portraits certain distinct features, the subjects often appear stiff and unsmiling as they had to maintain the poses for long periods. This also lead to a weird trend: The "Ghost Mother", a method employed by portrait photographers to keep children posing for pictures calm and still during the shoot. The Victorian instinct was unusual to say the least. The childrens' mothers would hold the children for the photographs while concealed in a variety of bizarre and creepy ways. Put a paper bag over her head No child would be frightened of what looks like a giant sack and a pair of disembodied arms. Impersonate the curtains This kid looks reasonably unnerved by the formerly inanimate curtains that have apparently been possessed by an oddly caring poltergeist. This tartan chair looks suspiciously person-shaped The kid on the far so left is SO on to the trick. He's thinking: "This is ridiculous, she is quite clearly under there, just let her be in the photo." Is it just us or does this one kind of work? Props to this hidden mum, she leaped into her role as "draped fabric" with the dedication of a method actor. For this, we reckon, she deserves a nomination in the best supporting inanimate object category. This mum is doing her best "Grim Reaper" looming ominously behind some unsuspecting child In a word... terrifying.   Main image via Dangerous Minds