This weekend, McGhee and her daughters, Nikki Beach and Lindsay Novotney, Tonganoxie, and Kylie Kanatzar, Paola, will set up their “Ol’ Tyme Photos” business at the former Ratliff’s Drug Store.

Ratliff’s is at Fourth and Bury, in downtown Tonganoxie. The women will be there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

“We have props and costumes for children for antique scenes,” McGhee said.

Their costumes and scenes include cowboys, farmers, firemen, tea parties, angels, antique football and baseball outfits and park scenes, McGhee said.

The business started with a personal need for unique photos for the young children in her family, McGhee said.

“We were very interested in other portraits of our own children and grandchildren, versus what you could get at stores or other photo studios,” McGhee said. “Something that just had more artistic sense to it.”

So she and her daughters set out to do that.

McGhee, who lives in Greeley, said they take the equipment from place to place in a truck.

Their plan, to set up temporary photo studios in area towns, couples with another idea — to serve as a fund-raising opportunity for schools, churches or other organizations. Last Saturday, the women set up their studio during Genesis Christian Academy’s annual chili supper.

“This is something that people can keep and have some cherished values with it,” McGhee said.

This weekend’s photo shoot at Ratliff’s is not a fund-raiser, it’s strictly to provide a location for photos to be taken. Beach said it’s possible that in the future they’ll again use Ratliff’s for a photo studio.

Before venturing into their new business, McGhee and her daughters took some photography classes. They became adept at using digital cameras and computer photography software programs. And, they purchased antique props that include everything from miniature velveteen couches and child’s china dishes to a train engine that doubles as a rocker, a fire truck and an antique wishing well.