[Study of a white foal]

By the early 1850s most major cities in Europe and America could boast studios specializing in daguerreotype photography. Customers sat for their own portraits and commissioned images of their family members and loved ones, including pets. Animals proved to be especially challenging subjects because slight movements during the lengthy period of exposure caused noticeable blurring. While people could be instructed to stay still, animals--even those that were well trained--were less predictable.