Photographer Karen Reid launched her business, Old Fashioned Costumed Photography, last December.
She operates from the area in front of the Lakes District Museum.
Ms Reid said she had photographed scores of visitors dressed as elegant ladies and gentlemen, grizzled gold-miners, saucy bar girls and musicians. Those being photographed would hold props such as parasols, tools, guns, instruments and baskets of bread and flowers.
The visitors choose to pose in front of a store, steam engine or wagon for a straight-faced Victorian style portrait, a normal smiling picture and a photograph where they just have fun.
The heritage tour guide and photographer said she had thought about the historical photography idea for a while, and had been been collecting costumes and props.
"I always talked about it with David [Clarke, museum director] when I was a part-time education officer in the museum and he said it was a good idea.
"It did take a long time to collect the costumes. Some I made and some I bought. I got myself a printer and laptop and just started."
Ms Reid said she had photographed all sorts of people, from Dunedin newlyweds to an Australian woman on her 80th birthday; from a South African family of 11 to corporate teams.
"I think people really like getting dressed up. Guys will come in by themselves and one half of couples will want to and that's where we can usually entice the other one with all the props.
"Some have a lot of fun with it, make a real show of striking silly poses. Some sit there quite stone-faced."
Ms Reid said she hoped Old Fashioned Costumed Photography would continue to operate from the museum premises, at least until the Arrowtown Autumn Festival, between April 29 and May 8. Another base would need to be found when the weather turned colder, in winter.
The studio is open Sunday to Friday, 10.30am to 5pm. Inquiries and bookings can be made by calling Ms Reid on 027-445-2569.
