21 Photos Of What Life Looked Like For Folks In 1974

Carly Tennes Published 01/27/2025 in wow

Though we may use our smartphones to document our nearly every waking moment, taking snaps of our day-to-day lives is no new phenomenon. Just ask the folks from 1974, who pointed their cameras toward brand-new stores, wedding parties, old-school classrooms, and the sepia-tinted world around them.

From summer days to New Year's Eve celebrations, here are 21 photos of what life looked like for folks in 1974.

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1. ‘70s Swagger
“J.C. Penny ad from 1974.”

Courtesy of GodBlessTexas713 on Reddit
2. A Class Act
“Gary Sinise here. I founded Steppenwolf Theater with friends in 1974. Some of my favorite memories.”

Courtesy of GarySiniseOfficial on Reddit
3. Mazel Tov
“Found my uncle's bar mitzvah photos in my grandparent's garage & it did not disappoint. Brooklyn, NY 1974.”

Courtesy of sydepst on Reddit
4. “Smile!” 
“My grandmother and mom circa 1974. My grandmother took my mother to national parks over the course of a few months, just the two of them.”

Courtesy of mghobby68 on Reddit
5. Makes Cents
“McDonald's prices, 1974.”

Courtesy of Forward_Spring202 on Reddit
6. Tuning In
“Television shopping in 1974.”

Courtesy of DiosMioMan2 on Reddit
7. Mugshot Mama  
“My mom's mugshot, after being arrested at an equal rights protest in 1974.”

Courtesy of DistantKarma on Reddit
8. Mother of the Bride
“My mother’s 2nd wedding, 1974. She never could keep her eyes open in a photo and yes, my grandparents were always this somber.”

Courtesy of ragicaevah on Reddit
9. Flower Power
“Our Aunt on a Dirt Bike (1974).”

Courtesy of UpstateAndy74 on Reddit
10. Photo Booth Fun
“1974, 14 yrs old, no makeup or hair style worries yet! Just still a happy child.”

Courtesy of TeresaJWilborn on Reddit
11. Service With A Smile
“Waitresses at a bar in Philadelphia. 1974.”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
12. “My Grandparents at a New Years Party in 1974.”
“My grandparents with some of their friends at a New Years Eve party at Trader Vic’s when they lived in San Francisco.”

Courtesy of KurnelAngus on Reddit
13. Prom Photos
“Prom 1974. I made my dress! (I was 16!).”

Courtesy of Shellsbells821 on Reddit
14. Easy Rider
“My dad. Circa 1974.”

Courtesy of bunnies_and_birdies on Reddit
15. Mall Madness
“The still shiny and new Lincoln Mall in Matteson (south suburban Chicago), Illinois (1974).”

Courtesy of AxlCobainVedder on Reddit
16. Tapping Away
“Typing class at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, 1974.”

Courtesy of AxlCobainVedder on Reddit
17. The Boys Are Back In Town
“L to R and by age: Grandpap, Uncle Bob, My Dad (Paul), Uncle Rick, Uncle John. Circa 1974.”

Courtesy of Familiar_Map1948 on Reddit
18. I Do
“Wedding Day August 17, 1974.”

Courtesy of EstelSnape on Reddit
19. Dog Days
“My Grandma and her Irish Wolfhound from 1974.”

Courtesy of -Rin on Reddit
20. Mom and Me
Courtesy of jerseygirl527 on Reddit

“Pic of me and my mom. 1974.” 
21. Flying High
“Me in 1974.”

Courtesy of sbacon71011 on Reddit

1. ‘70s Swagger
Courtesy of GodBlessTexas713 on Reddit

“J.C. Penny ad from 1974.”
2. A Class Act
Courtesy of GarySiniseOfficial on Reddit

“Gary Sinise here. I founded Steppenwolf Theater with friends in 1974. Some of my favorite memories.”
3. Mazel Tov
Courtesy of sydepst on Reddit

“Found my uncle's bar mitzvah photos in my grandparent's garage & it did not disappoint. Brooklyn, NY 1974.”
4. “Smile!” 
Courtesy of mghobby68 on Reddit

“My grandmother and mom circa 1974. My grandmother took my mother to national parks over the course of a few months, just the two of them.”
5. Makes Cents
Courtesy of Forward_Spring202 on Reddit

“McDonald's prices, 1974.”
6. Tuning In
Courtesy of DiosMioMan2 on Reddit

“Television shopping in 1974.”
7. Mugshot Mama  
Courtesy of DistantKarma on Reddit

“My mom's mugshot, after being arrested at an equal rights protest in 1974.”
8. Mother of the Bride
Courtesy of ragicaevah on Reddit

“My mother’s 2nd wedding, 1974. She never could keep her eyes open in a photo and yes, my grandparents were always this somber.”
9. Flower Power
Courtesy of UpstateAndy74 on Reddit

“Our Aunt on a Dirt Bike (1974).”
10. Photo Booth Fun
Courtesy of TeresaJWilborn on Reddit

“1974, 14 yrs old, no makeup or hair style worries yet! Just still a happy child.”
11. Service With A Smile
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“Waitresses at a bar in Philadelphia. 1974.”
12. “My Grandparents at a New Years Party in 1974.”
Courtesy of KurnelAngus on Reddit

“My grandparents with some of their friends at a New Years Eve party at Trader Vic’s when they lived in San Francisco.”
13. Prom Photos
Courtesy of Shellsbells821 on Reddit

“Prom 1974. I made my dress! (I was 16!).”
14. Easy Rider
Courtesy of bunnies_and_birdies on Reddit

“My dad. Circa 1974.”
15. Mall Madness
Courtesy of AxlCobainVedder on Reddit

“The still shiny and new Lincoln Mall in Matteson (south suburban Chicago), Illinois (1974).”
16. Tapping Away
Courtesy of AxlCobainVedder on Reddit

“Typing class at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, 1974.”
17. The Boys Are Back In Town
Courtesy of Familiar_Map1948 on Reddit

“L to R and by age: Grandpap, Uncle Bob, My Dad (Paul), Uncle Rick, Uncle John. Circa 1974.”
18. I Do
Courtesy of EstelSnape on Reddit

“Wedding Day August 17, 1974.”
19. Dog Days
Courtesy of -Rin on Reddit

“My Grandma and her Irish Wolfhound from 1974.”
20. Mom and Me
“Pic of me and my mom. 1974.” 

Courtesy of jerseygirl527 on Reddit
21. Flying High
Courtesy of sbacon71011 on Reddit

“Me in 1974.”