How to photograph your doll in public places
This is something I’ve been asked a lot, and have thought about just as much. How do you get the courage to take your dolls in a public place? How do you get past the embarrassment of openly being an adult who takes pictures of your dolls? How do you take your dolls out on fun adventures that they deserve to have?
I will admit that it took me a while to get comfortable photographing my dolls outside where people could potentially make me feel ashamed. It’s not an easy thing at all. I am not an especially brave person, either. And I know I’m not the only one who is very nervous about being stared at, made fun of, questioned, and judged by strangers whose intentions I can’t immediately discern. But I will also admit that none of the bad things I envisioned would happen actually did happen. People either say nothing or they say something positive. Nobody stops to stare or tries to interrupt what I’m doing. Nobody points and laughs. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I’m willing to bet that this is the standard no matter who or where you are.
So I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned to do that make it easier!
It will become less daunting the more you do it. This has very much been the case for me. I went from being too nervous to leave my yard to taking a doll walking around a city, all within less than a year.
Start out close to home in a place you won’t be very visible. If you have a yard, begin there. If you have neighbors that can see you, just remember that it’s your yard and you’re free to do whatever you want on your own property.
Another good place to take outdoor pictures is on public lands. Check your area for national forests, forest roads, recreation areas, trailheads, and campgrounds. Or find a city park with a lot of unused space. You can usually find somewhere private if you explore around the the area a bit. I’ve got several favorite places in the national forest near my home where I know I can park, set up my stuff, and take pictures without ever being seen or bothered by people passing by. Avoid private land or roads!
Carry your doll in a backpack or a tote bag. That way you can take them out whenever you feel ready and hide them when you’re not taking pictures.
Bring someone with you. People are much less likely to walk over and ask you questions if they can see that you’re one of two or more people having a good time together. You’ll also give the appearance of something important or professional happening if the other person is helping you pose the dolls. Or just hand them a clipboard and tell them to pretend to write something while you use the camera.
Very tourist-friendly places make you less conspicuous. Historic downtowns, old theaters or churches, zoos and botanical gardens, famous landmarks, national parks, theme parks like Disneyland, and beaches are great places to photograph your dolls because taking pictures there is exactly what people expect you to be doing. The fact that you’re doing it with a doll is mildly amusing and cute to most people, if they even notice at all. If everyone else is also taking photos of themselves or their families, you won’t stand out.
You have my permission to be direct with people who may make you feel unsafe. If someone is being rude to you, don’t be nice back. If someone is pointing a camera at you or filming you, make a scene and loudly order them to stop.
But that most likely won’t happen. I have yet to encounter anything worse than indifference from people. On the very rare occasions I have had strangers ask what I’m doing, they’ve always been positive when I explain. And a lot more people than you expect will think it’s neat and fun. You’ll also definitely be spotted by other people who have American Girl dolls or are at least familiar. I’ve mentioned this in a lot of my posts, but my Josefina is very famous in my state, and she gets recognized by name all the time! I took her to the opera last summer and someone immediately recognized her because they too had a Josefina doll.
A phrase I use a lot when I’m asked about them: “Oh, this is (doll’s name), she is my traveling doll, she goes everywhere with me when I travel. I take pictures of her to remember the places I’ve been.” It’s true in my case! Feel free to use something like that. Present it as a fun hobby you like to do. Remember that many other people have much more questionable and far less harmless hobbies than you do.
Taking historical dolls to historical places will make you the new best friend of the staff. Go ahead and tell them all about your doll’s connection to that place.
You might even feel confident enough to introduce your doll if the circumstances permit. I took Josefina to a living history museum last summer, and at the admissions desk I showed her to the staff member, who instantly recognized her, and that’s the story of how I got a sweet discount on my museum admission just for having my doll with me.
Older ladies will love your doll and will love that they got to meet your doll. Bonus points if your doll is wearing a cute hat or shoes!
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