The Original Old Time Picture Studio was established in 1973, which current owner Peggy Anderson (who added “Capone’s” last year), says makes this the oldest Old Time picture studio in the Dells. It’s a place where visitors have been fulfilling fantasies to dress as cowboys, saloon girls, gangsters, flappers, Civil War generals, Southern Belles, and Victorian Era citizens for nearly four decades.
When I entered the studio the first thing I noticed was the real 1934 black Chevy that is the centerpiece of the front room. Peggy, who has owned the place for a little over two years but has worked at the studio for the last fourteen, says that the vehicle was acquired sometime in the seventies, and is the most popular setting. She told me that often after getting a picture taken at one of the other studios where they use a screen that’s pulled down behind them, people will come in and say: “Son-of-a-gun – we didn’t know you had a real car!”
After getting playfully teased by employee Victoria Georgeson, who had to take my picture about a dozen times before getting one without a self-conscious look on my face, I was convinced to go even further back in time with a visit to the Old West saloon setting. This is where I found myself wearing the cowboy garments of which I’m sure I won’t hear the end of from friends for years to come if they ever get hold of the evidence.
With modern music playing in the background and hearing the many jokes told by Peggy and her son Jason Oksanen, who also works there and plans to take over the studio someday, Capone’s definitely has a fun and playful atmosphere. Whether it’s asking the customers to cross their eyes or stick their tongue out, partaking in the occasional inside joke, or if feeling frisky, trying to sneak things – or even themselves in the background of the pictures, it was evident that Capone’s would be a fun place to work. That said, you could tell they were all very professional when it came to making the customer happy. Besides making the experience a memorable one, they’ll have customers go over to a big screen monitor before getting undressed from costumes to make sure they’re happy with the shots, and if need be, retake them until the customer gets what they want.
Capone’s The Original Old Time Picture Studio is open year-round to take a variety of classic antique portraits that can be presented in an assortment of antique style frames. Make sure if you visit to take a close look at the pictures covering the walls, where besides fun pictures taken by employees and family members, you’ll find a very cool set of photos that shows three siblings throughout the years from kids to teenagers to adults in the same setting and poses. I didn’t have the opportunity to take any Old Time photos of my younger years, but hopefully I’ll live long enough to start my own tradition of getting a succession of portraits taken here - just not likely in the cowboy outfit.
For more information please visit: http://www.ootps.com/
- Chris Dearman
*** I'd like to thank Peggy Anderson for the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of the studio - it definitely was a fun time. I'd also like to give a shout-out to Jason Oksanen, Gina Grimesey, Victoria Georgeson and Andrea Saari for showing me around & helping out with the photos - thanks!
