John and Bertha Papasian, with their sons Eugene & Edgar

The photograph shows the young couple John and Bertha Papasian, with two children, their elder sons Eugene & Edgar. John is wearing a typical dark-coloured western-style suit, a white long-sleeved shirt and a tie. Bertha is wearing a sleeved dark-coloured dress with a high neckline and she has accessorised it with a brooch. The two children, despite their gender, are wearing dresses, as it was usual for youngsters of their age. The dresses differ in style, colour and decoration, but both are of special design, with most elaborate ornaments on the chest, the edges of the long sleeves and around the lower part of the wide skirts. The attire is complemented with dark socks and boots. The photograph is dated to 1886, and the scenery and decoration indicate that it was taken at a studio.