HER'S HINDSIGHT 2020 | Maddy Green finds and restores old Polaroids

Maddy Green talks about her Polaroid camera collection at her home in Texarkana, Texas.
Maddy Green talks about her Polaroid camera collection at her home in Texarkana, Texas.

For local photographer Maddy Green, a love for what's vintage extends to the device used to capture the perfect moment. At her home, you'll find dozens of these gadgets placed not far from the mid-20th century retro furniture and home furnishings she's found at antique shops and flea markets

Maddy has collected more than 100 Polaroid cameras, famous for their ability to produce an instant snapshot with a distinctive look, feel and color.

Maddy's camera collection dates back to 1948 with the Polaroid Model 95 Land Camera. Some work, some don't. Various styles, shapes and technologies are represented, but all her cameras, some bought for just $1, have that unmistakable Polaroid look.

Her interest in Polaroids originated in a genuine affection for film-based cameras that people would give her. Three years ago, Maddy's boyfriend provided her first Polaroid, and from then on their antiquing trips had an additional purpose.

"It's kind of like a little treasure hunt, so it's fun finding more and more," said Maddy, who's been a photographer for about 10 years.

She and her boyfriend have visited hundreds of flea markets and antique shops.

The result is a collection of Polaroids in various stages of working or not-working order. She keeps parts handy, exchanging and fixing as she works with them.

In an age when people use Instagram and their phones to endlessly capture images, Polaroids feel like a total throwback.

"You get one shot and that's it," Maddy said.

Maddy maintains a list of what she has, noting where she bought the camera, how much it cost and other pertinent information.

"It would be cool at some point to display them in a museum," she said, "but I have a long way until that happens."

What was it that captivated her about that first Polaroid?

"I think it was the nostalgia factor," Maddy said. "It's just that it has sentimental value."

She professes to be an old soul and loves to hear stories older people can tell.

Maddy started doing journalism photography in school but over time moved on to portraiture. Her business is called Maddy Green Photography.

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