Hi! I’m Kristen. I am primarily a historian and researcher, and have always loved antiques and material culture. My ephemera hoarding was enabled by my MA research, which used ocean liner advertising and Soviet propaganda materials as primary sources – as much time was spent on Ebay as in the archives. In early 2020 I contracted an all-consuming obsession with vintage vernacular photography. I specifically love to collect photographs from the Edwardian era, World’s Fairs, travel albums, double exposures, and anything interesting or absurd that catches my eye.

The advent of the affordable camera allowed a more universal means of artistic self-expression. Vernacular photography reveals the beating heart of each generation’s humanity. The camera stole their souls, not as a cold agent of tyrannical technology, but in the way a lover steals your heart.

The Stolen Souls is run primarily via my Instagram account, @thestolensouls, where I offer photographs for sale and share images from my collection.

Here, I post essays about some of my favorite photographs.

It is my mission to elevate vernacular photography to its rightful place as historically significant fine art.

Thanks for joining me in the penumbra!