De Luxe Studio

DeLuxe Studio was a photography studio operated by Jacques Wambsganss from 1916 to 1949

The studio was owned by Wambsganss, a former printer and photographer for Bert Covell. He opened it with associate John P. Harding at 1918½ 2nd Avenue North in downtown Birmingham. By 1934 it had moved to 1923½ 1st Avenue North, and was located there until Wambsganss' death in 1949.

In addition to portrait photography, the studio offered copies, enlargements and framing services, and also processed film for other photographers and prepared surgical slides for physicians. In the 1920s DeLuxe Studio furnished many of the portrait photographs reproduced in The Birmingham News. Wambsganss was known for balancing a rubber ball on his head to encourage children to laugh. As the years went by, he often entertained older customers by bringing out copies of their own infant portraits when they came to him to photograph their children or grandchildren.

In 1933 the Highland Marinello Beauty Shop offered a free $5 portrait at the DeLuxe Studio with any permanent wave treatment costing $7.50 or more.