These photographs of Isaac Phillips and his wife, Sophia Phillips, are daguerreotypes that replaced silhouettes as a less expensive portrait. The shift to using daguerreotypes is arguably related to increased antisemitism in the mid-1800s. Earlier silhouettes featured the subject’s profile view, whereas daguerreotypes show the sitter facing forward or angled slightly. Due to these side profiles resulting in antisemitic caricature in the early 1800s, one appeal of adopting daguerrotypes was to convey a representation of the subject that limited the display of Semitic features and potential racist response. In the images, Isaac is pictured with a slight smile on his face, well-dressed, and a book at his side. Sophia’s facial expression differs noticeably from her husband’s as she looks forward with a straight face on the verge of a frown. Her hair is covered by a bonnet and is also dressed nicely. Neither subject wears any accessories, and their posture is relaxed, resting their arms on a side table while sitting upright. Considering the single print of daguerreotypes and a somewhat laborious process to make them, it is likely that the Phillips took the photographs for personal use to document their family history.