This is a much more difficult prompt than it should be. My toy muses change as time goes on. However, I think I’ve narrowed my favorite figures down to those that have stayed most permanently in the back of my mind.
Preiser Girl
This figure is just over 1 cm tall and I actually seemed to have misplaced her. But once she shows up I know she’ll inevitably find her way in front of my camera lens again. I like using this figure as a symbol of innocence and exploration.
Art doll by Elena Gonchar
This doll is posable, elegant and seems to just float. I have 2 other dolls by Elena (Santez StoYries on Etsy) as well, but continually come back to this one, my first one. I like using this figure to represent longing. This doll has also come to be used in my self-portrait like images.
Rement Pose Skeleton
Skeleton figures present such a perfect opportunity for juxtaposition between light and dark, creepy and cute, life and death. The Pose skeleton line by Rement allows for just what it says, posing. Which makes it that much easier to use this figure in so many situations. Since getting this one I’ve also added the dog, cat and child of this line to my collection and I have my eye on a couple more.
Plastic Baby Doll
I got this figure in a dollhouse set of some kind from a dollar store when I was little. I don’t remember any other details other than the fact that she only had on her plastic molded diaper. When I got home with her I put her in the dress that you see in the image under #5. I was elated that it fit her perfectly and it’s been hers ever since. Recently I’ve used her in two separate series and she works so well for a symbol of innocence.
Acid Rain’s Argus
I’ve only discovered this line in the past few months and I am in love. Their gas masks and weathering make for the perfect post apocalyptic images which I can use to bring across moods of lonliness and isolation. I’ve used this figure in one large series so far and already have 2 more planned.
Wonderful post! I really enjoyed reading about your favorite figures and seeing your beautiful photos. I’m amazed by the Preiser Girl – she’s so tiny! I hope she shows up soon so you can photograph her again. The art doll is beautiful too. Her hair and scarf add a wonderful sense of movement to her. All of the figures are wonderful and you photograph them beautifully.
Lynn
Thank you so much, Lynn. I’m so glad you enjoyed my musings. I certainly hope the preiser girl shows up again too, otherwise I may just have to buy a new version of her. And Elena’s art dolls are unique and beautiful. She’s been so patient too in customizing her pre-listed sculpts to suit my whims. The one above for example I asked for extra defined toes.
Excellent post, Jennifer! Your photography is incredibly unique, in a large part because of your choice of figures. I love how I didn’t know anything about these figures before reading this post, and yet I recognized all of them from following your feed.
I agree with Lynn, I hope you find Preiser girl soon! Jeez and I thought keeping track of LEGO pieces was hard, I don’t blame you for misplacing her in the first place.
Thank you so much James. I try to not form too many brand loyalties so that I can just see whats available that suits the photos I’m wanting to make. These though have me attached. I fear presier girl has gotten eaten by the vacuum or squished in a dark place she’ll never be found, but who even knows. I don’t mind so much replacing her, I just hope she’ll forgive me 😉
This was a lovely read, such cool and innovative choices! I might have to score me one of those “Elena’s art dolls” – I looked at her page and they are so unique and look to be a joy to photograph.
As for picking favorite toy muses… nearly impossible for me… I have been tagged to do this on IG several times and I don’t think I have ever complied. ha. My favorites to shoot are purely left up to mood and idea… I have regularly gone back to Spider-man and AT-ATs throughout my toyphotography adventures but I have like 15 Spider-man figures and maybe 7 different AT-AT styles and scales… lol… Which I use is also pending mood and idea. 😀
Your work is wonderfully original. The first time I saw your work it took my breath away.
Original people like you make the world go around.
Wow. A huge sincere thank you, so very much.