Has this ever happened to you re: making albums?

[katherinecusick]

Just wondering for all of you who enjoy making albums and more specifically, taking your dolls out into the public to complete these albums, has anyone ever had people make slightly rude comments while you are photographing your dolls?

When DD & I went to the Zoo the other day to make our album, several people made comments like "weird" and "bizarre" as they walked by us. I've got no problems with self-confidence and I don't particularly care what anyone thinks because DD & I had a terrific time deciding which animals to take pictures of etc. but I did think that it was pretty rude of others to make snide comments where I could easily hear them.

DD has gotten such a kick out of everyone's albums here on HB. She LOL at the many adorable pictures and stories--one of her favorites is the Pidget's album where Molly meets Stitch--she thought that was hilarious!

Do any of you feel compelled to justify photographing the dolls? Should I feel miffed about this or am I being overly sensitive?

I've already decided I'm not going to stop making albums because it is not only extremely fun, it is also hours of creative entertainment for DD & me, but I just wondered if anyone has any similar experiences?

Katie

[thepidget]

I don't think you're being overly sensitive at all. I think it's really rude and sad that people would make comments about you taking pictures of your dolls. It's your business and it's not like you're bothering anyone. I could probably see little kids making snide remarks, but if adults do it, that's just sad because they ought to know better. [img]frown.gif[/img]

So far, I've just done most of my album pics in the comfort and privacy of my own home. However, I'm leaving for Las Vegas next week and I will be bringing my Kit doll with me for photos. I'm a little worried I'll get mean comments too, but I'm not sure how often I'll be bringing her out for pics. We'll see.

BTW, I want to thank your DD for enjoying my Molly/Stitch album. I'm glad to hear she likes it! [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[smwoodsie2004]

Unfortunely, you have people who are RUDE, I am glad that I had a very creative mother who I looked up to for her stories that I find it part of me, so I don't have a problem with others, what I do have a problem with is my family. They don't get it, collecting in a glass case is okay, but not beleiving they are alive, so I tend to keep that under wraps, but am hoping that I can put together a website to "introduce" them to my girls without using dd as an excuse. Obviously someone out there likes our stories and what about movies like Wallace & Gromit or the Muppets, they don't reach popularity because no one watches or gets them and it is adults that put them together, so ignore those who don't understand, they are too close minded to be care about anyways. A saying that I had heard somewhere occurs to me in situations like this, (although, I should remember it more):
Is that person really worth renting space in your head for free?
HTH!

[Kenshinchan]

The fear of comments is WHY I don't generally make albums outside of the house. [img]frown.gif[/img] I wouldn't mind a tiny bit if I had a smaller girl to go out with to get the pictures, and wouldn't mind nearly as much if I had a friend who would come with me and help. But by myself? Just not going to happen, I'm afraid. [img]frown.gif[/img]

The only comment I heard while I was carrying a doll was when I had Kirsten in the Grove (I took her around after AGPLA too). A mother pointed me out to her doll-carrying daughter, to prove that it's OK to bring your dolls to the Grove. That pleased me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

(I did get VERY embarrassed taking pics for an album at a friend's house and her father came by and saw what I was doing. He didn't say a word, and I think he's used to my weirdness; after all, I come over every year to hang out with his daughter and dress up in Anime costumes for 4 consecutive days at a convention. But still, it was pretty mortifying. [img]redface.gif[/img] )

[emer222]

I'm sorry to hear about your expeience. I have only had positive ones so far. I've taken photos in my yard, the woods, the beach, public gardens, and other spots with a high volume of pedestrian traffic. I've been alone or had a sister, hubby, or granddaughter with me. People have stopped to talk or ask questions. It's always been fun. I'm glad that you aren't going to let a few bad apples ruin it for you. There are a lot of nice people out there and lots more fun to be had with your dollies!

[AGStefanie]

I don't bring my doll out much, but once I took the train when my car wasn't working, to visit my boyfriend in New York, and we were going to AGP. I had my doll and got off the train and was walking to a corner where he said to meet him. He, unfortunately, was getting a ticket for running a stop sign in Times Square, so I had to wait at the corner for about 15 minutes. I did have a few people say things to me. One called me weird and one guy asked me if I carried my dolls around because I wished I had a kid or something. I wasn't too embarassed, but a little. I wasn't even taking pictures, just standing there holding the doll.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ August 14, 2006 03:30 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>

[Katie148]

I've never had people react negatively to my dolls in public because I never take them out if there is another living soul within sight. [img]redface.gif[/img] All of my outdoor doll pictures were taken in complete seclusion with no one except a family member or two around to see me. I love my dolls and I would never let what others think stop me from collecting, but I DO NOT like to be the center of attention. I don't like calling attention to myself in public and having people stare at me, so I choose not to expose myself to any nasty looks or comments by not taking dolls out in public. I applaud anyone who can do it and doesn't let it bother them, but I know for me it would really take away some of my enjoyment of making doll albums if I had to deal with the types of nastiness described here. Unfortunately, there are an awful lot of rude and judgmental people in this world who don't like seeing anyone having fun in a way they're not used to. [img]graemlins/whatever.gif[/img]

[Jeanette M.]

I have taken my dolls to many public places, and while I have had a few people give me strange looks, I have mostly had very positive reactions. We (myself and my husband - who is much more outgoing than I am, and who helps me with my dollies all the time) take pictures of "the girls" wherever we go, and have often been asked if we were doing an advertising photo shoot! Like Jean, I have encountered many people who are very interested in what I am doing and who will stop and ask me questions about the dolls. I have sent many new customers to AG because I tell anyone who asks all about them. I should be getting commissions from AG - I'd take them all in merchandise! [img]wink.gif[/img]

Edited to add a story that happened to Jack and I when we went to San Francisco with dollies. We took one of my dolls and a traveling doll who just happened to be visiting when we went on our weekend trip. We went to the Legion of Honor Museum and were taking all kinds of photos of the girls looking at really cool artwork. As we passed by the female guard who was stationed at the exit of the special exhibit, she made a comment about the cute dolls, so we stopped to talk. We told her about the traveling dolls, that we were visiting from Utah, but that Arabella's home was in Pennsylvania. She asked if we had been in the special Art Deco exhibit, and we said we hadn't because of the extra cost; and she immediately said "We can't let that little doll go all the was back to Pennsylvania without having seen all there is to see in our museum!"

She then called someone to watch her post for a minute, and took us through to the entrance of the exhibit, and told the ticket-taker we were her guests so she should let us in without tickets! We absolutely loved the Art Deco collections (even though pictures of it weren't allowed) - sometimes is pays to be carrying dolls and not afraid to tell people about them!

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ August 13, 2006 07:49 PM: Message edited by: Jeanette M. ]</font>

[Bean Bunny]

I got one funny look once. That's it. I've noticed most people don't care.

Actually, when I set Violet up in a window in her basketball album, I did make one passer-by do a double take...

[muppetquilter]

I had a professor once who said there is no such thing as being overly sensitive: you feel what you feel. You can control your actions and response but not your feelings.

People shouldn't be rude. They don't have to understand but even if they think it is pretty nutty, what harm is there? If you were at the zoo (surrounded by children) setting up pictures of scantily dressed dolls or dolls with cigarettes and beers or something else that could convey inappropriate messages to young children that would be one thing, but pictures of dolls looking at animals at the zoo? And with your daughter?! Sheesh. Those people must have pretty easy lives if they have nothing better to worry about.

I love to see older kids and adults out with dolls. I always point it out to my daughter and she gets a big kick out of it. Enjoy and hopefully people won't be so rude next time.

And you are absolutely right that they shouldn't say it where you can hear. What we really need is a great response so that if it happens again (or to anyone else) we're ready with a one liner that makes it clear we heard what they said, that they were rude, and that good fun is good fun.