Taking photos in public

I've always had dolls and bears and loved them (despite the hassles from the other boys at school) so BJD's were a natural extension of that and have simply added to the lack of space in the house.

My dolls go out with me wherever I want to take them (Looking at your location -I was strolling around San Francisco, Concord and San Jose with some of my gang when I visited from England for Costume Con a couple of years ago). If people want to stare, or think "less" of me because I carry dolls and bears around, it doesn't bother me.

I rarely photograph them outside, but that's mainly because I rarely remember to take a camera with me, and rarely remember to use it when I do take it.

Teddy

 

I can answer the second question.
I usually don't take my doll (soon to be dolls) outside. I kinda feel ashamed, which is sad, because this has really become my hobby. When I do take pictues outdoor I do it somewhere quiet. Like in the woods when I know people are working and at school. And on some small islands where there aren't any people. I just don't like being watched. : )

 

I don't own any dolls but I'm an avid BJD photographer since I have an awesome friends with BJDs XD (I prefer owning cameras and not BJDs)

I usually take the BJDs out on locations to shoot. I don't really like shooting studio/indoors because I feel my creativity diminishing as if I'm being boxed up. Some of my locations are usually with busy street people. I don't really mind them looking around unless they're in the shot. Sometimes, I do get weird comments but otherwise it's fine~ Just ignore them and do your own thing.

It's also good to have someone accompanying you as well. Since i'm the photographer, usually the one that accompanies me is the doll owner ^__^

I wrote a tutorial journal over at deviantart: http://ball-jointed-dolls.deviantart.com/blog/31938189/ (you can scroll to the part of outdoor locations). Hope that helps!

 

I don't take my dolls pictures in public. I do like taking outside pictures, but usually do so in my yard or in a secluded park.

 

I don't mind taking my girls out for photos, though I typically go to the more "controlled" public spaces (like a place that requires paying admission or membership). I've actually been confused for a professional out on a shoot for a manufacturer or book or something... Some folks have also asked if I'm a student, or doing something for a contest...

 

I tend to stick to fairly quiet settings when I'm doing shoots but that's generally because I prefer to go for a lot of foresty settings and don't really like much of an audience when I'm rolling around on the floor like an idiot trying to get the right angle. The times that I do go to more public places I've never really had issues beyond people asking about the dolls, which while it can get frustrating to answer the same question a dozen times is pretty harmless and can even be pretty interesting ^^

I would suggest though if you're on a busy street/somewhere public to maybe take at least one other person with you, especially if you're trying to concentrate on the shoot, that way one of you can keep an eye on your belongings while the other shoots especially if you've got a lot of stuff with you. I know it probably sounds a little paranoid but better safe than sorry, especially in city centers etc.

 

I just got my doll, but part of my fascination with the hobby is that of taking photographs. I have plans to take my dolls on vacation and to public places. I did consider the safety aspect though. Last weekend, I had my doll sitting on the deck rail for a photoshoot and her hat blew away. Instantly, I was concerned that the doll would fall off and get hurt. Now, I am trying to figure out how to do this shot that I want of her in front of a waterfall. There is a rock guard rail but it would be a little dangerous for her to sit there. Maybe I could get us some duct tape or something to make sure she doesn't blow over into the gulf.

 

I once made some pictures in a parc and there were a lot of people passing by! It made me nervous and so I tried to make at least some sharp pictures and then went quick back home!! Would want to make pictures in a forest one day... Maybe a forest at at time when there are not so many people!

 

I took two fellers to Washington D.C. for some pictures and took a walk to the monument so that they could have a picnic. *sigh* Yeeeeah, first I spent like fifteen minutes trying to find a tree or some shade that wasn't already occupide by like five people... I found a tree off to itself on the brink of the field surrounding the monument and I sort of sat there for a bit... casually waiting for any suspicious people to lose interest before finally beginning to take all my stuff out. Once everyone is out, I go into "All right, FOCUS" mode and just block out everything else around me and pretend like there's no one else there. _xD I still am self-conscious, but I focus on what's going on in the story and what pictures need to be taken. Then I end up with beauties such as: http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh174/DZChaucer/The Continuation/Amir and Vincent/100_0039.jpg

Which is relatively cool. xB Now, later, I was sort of hopping from monument to monument for more photos and decided to take some shots at the WWII memorial. Again, I took a deep breath, said "All right... FOCUS" and took the guys out, sat them down and started pic snappin'. People were walking back and forth right behind me while I was doing this and some even stopped to watch. _xD All the while I keep saying "FOCUS..... FOCUS...." They seemed more curious and interested than anything and no one made any remarks or even said a word, really. xB

Although it always gets to me if I'm in the middle of a photostory and someone walks into the room I'm "working" in and then they sit down with every intention to stay. >___< That one-on-one makes it reaaaaally awkward.

 

I love taking my dolls outside. but i always feel self conscious. Not many people where I live have bjds or even heard of them. Also, it's not the same as carrying around a stuffed animal or even a barbie doll. I'm a mom and I don't usually care what people say about me having one of my daughters toys in my pocket or one of her stuffies under my arm. It's not the same stare that you get when you carry a bjd in an area that's unfamiliar with them. When I'm not alone, it's different. In groups, you don't feel as strange under the stares. And because there's so many other dolls people can see that there's a wide variety and most people will actually get curious. they'll come ask questions. but when you're alone... the stares I hate the most are people thinking you're a just some pervert. it's hard owning dolls and wanting to take pics at pretty locations. :/

 

Still feel embarrassed about other people knowing I own dolls. So I go out early in the morning or use probs on my balcony. Wish it were different though because I really love dolls.

 

there are already a ton of threads on this >.<

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?56158-Taking-doll-photos-in-public-feels-weird.-(&highlight=public
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...o-embarrassed-to-take-photos&highlight=public (slightly similar thread "afraid of people" type, where my answer is)
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?367022-Photographing-dolls-in-the-Great-Outdoors&highlight=public

._. and that's just a couple

 

Thank you for the links, Knibitz!

I'm very new to this hobby and this forum. Feels like a big learning curve for me. I appreciate all the help offered.

 

I don't normally take my doll into public but I did yesterday. My family was visiting this really pretty rose garden and I knew I had to get some pictures of Brandy there. It was pretty empty but there were enough people to make me a little bit nervous. I don't like the ideas of random strangers judging me but that didn't stop me from full out laying on the ground to get the angles I wanted. It was fun. xD Although, there was this one moment that scared me. I had put Brandy down against this fountain and backed up to take the picture because I didn't want my shadow to be in it and someone walked up next to me. I thought it was my dad and I turned and it was this random dude. He was only a foot away from my doll and he was staring at her all weird. It freaked me out. I quickly picked Brandy up and walked off, trying to act all natural. But over all it was pretty fun.

I don't think I'd be so open to taking pictures in a super public place though. But that's mostly because Brandy's tiny and so I've got to crouch to get good shots of her if she's on the ground.

 

I think if I had a professional camera I wouldn't mind laying in the middle of a pedestrian way taking pictures. I could always pretend being a pro, but with my small camera (not that it is bad at all), I guess I'm hiding a little.
Last weekend I went to the forest to do a kissing scene. I didn't really feel embarrassed that the few people passing by could see my dolls. Not before I actually had to take a very sensitive scene. I feel intimidated that people could see me arranging the dolls kissing. Also, I used to have my atelier in the dining room, when my boyfriend had guests, I hated when they came to see what I was doing. Arranging the dolls is somewhat private to me.

 

I feel the same way. I'd feel a lot better using my brother or father's BFC (big fancy camera) because then I'd feel legit-like I'd pass for a photography student- and like I can take the pictures. I'll take photos in public with my tiny point n shoot, but I'll try to do it when people aren't *right* there. Though, I'd wait until people are gone if I'm arranging the dolls doing something embarrassing like kissing, or hugging.

 

I always make sure I bring someone with me when I take pictures of my dolls in public. I've dragged my friends out with me before, and once I brought my young nephew out to a park while I was babbysitting him so I could take pictures. Having someone else makes me feel more comfortable and self-confident, so I don't really feel embarassed or ashamed. ^^

 

I would honestly love to take pictures in public, but I worry about it because I'm a guy. so I guess I worry mostly about someone beating the crap out of me thinking I'm a "fag" I'm not, and I don't have any problem with people who are. but some areas of my city do. so that would be my main concern. honestly, I think it's a stupid paranoia, I'd be taking these pictures in a group more then likely. of mostly women. and people wouldn't pick on me probably if I was with a big group of girls.

 

I'd quite like to take my dolls in to see the Christmas markets, because the scenery's really beautiful. :3

 

I have taken photos of my dolls in public before. I am just careful not to obstruct traffic or get in other people's way.
I really don't care what people think of me, I've had plenty of "odd" hobbies before (: And besides, sometimes you can meet friends that way, or get others into the hobby.

 

I know I have issues going out in public with out my doll since I've always been paranoid that people are judging me harshly, but when I have my doll with me it is different, I feel better about taking pictures in public and get so distracted with the fun that I forget that there are others around me. I know my neighbors have seen me go out to take pictures in front of our building and have even asked me about the hobby.

 

And Amir enjoyed you taking him out that day!

i take my kiddos out and about. I get a lot more comments from people curious or liking them than I do bad things, but if somebody DOES make a rude comment, I mostly ignore it. I'm not doing it to please them. If they ask why I'm doing it, I tell them its a hobby with a following online and that sometimes you can even win prizes for doll photography. My Ringdoll Shao won third place in the RD photo contest a little over a year ago!

Sometimes I go by myself or take my friends or sister or hubby. It's good to have somebody ready to catch a doll if he decides to jump off a rail or out of a tree. I usually only have one or two with me for outdoor photos. It's a lot easier to grab up one than 5 plus accessories if the weather turns bad or some random grabby handed kid or nosy dog appears on the scene.

 

I am still waiting for my first doll, but i would take her out for taking photos for sure, and try to be extra cautious. And i think i wouldn't mind the stares hehehe. I would feel proud of my doll~

But i understand that it can get very bothersome
Somewhen this summer my friend and i were walking in Seonyudo Park, Seoul, which is an island on the Han River with a former water purifying factory transformed into a park. Coolest park ever!
Anyway, we came across two Korean girls taking out their SD boys. Well, my friend saw them first, but he became too excited while trying to get my attention to the girls, cause he knew how much i liked bjds too... Poor girls were just about to dress their boys when my friend started to gesticulate and talk crazy X'D Of course they become very shy and embarrassed and tried to hide their dolls from our sight.
*sigh* If my friend wouldnt have behaved like a rude monkey maybe i could have had a conversation with them but seeing how intimidated they were i just pulled my friend away saying 'lets just not bother' -_-

 

The only 'public' places I really take my dolls is local conventions, even then not very often. Not because I worry about what people think of my dolls, but because I usually am out an about for a particular reason and don't want to have the added worry of my dolls. But on the rare occasion I do go out specifically to photograph my dolls, I just go where I feel I'll get the best shots. I'm a cosplayer so I'm used to people giving me strange looks when I go out for shoots anyways. X3

 

I do not feel ashamed by displaying my dolls in public and so on, but people coming up to look or ask about them is really annoying when you are trying to do a shoot, it's quite a challenge

 

I have a fear of public places .. but it attracts me

 

To be fair I like taking my dears out every once in a while or taking them to some of my trips.
So far everything's been well, Amsterdam locals where nice and friendly, so where the Sweden and Paris ones, except for the gypsies, which do make you want to leave their company as fast as possible to prevent a possible theft. The most trouble I actually had was on the sights in Jordan due to the kids and the way the parenting works there. Just going touching and grabbing without question.
But in the end it turns out that the hardest part is to fight the discomfort within yourself and start shooting, and then it works well, overcoming the difficulties thrown at you.

Bringing a friend or two brings in more confidence and gives you a pair or two of hands to take stuff over you. :3

 

Some of you are so brave! I'm still so self-conscious about what people would think of me. o.o I really wish I wasn't as I love my dolls to bits and would adore bringing them to pretty public places! >o< Maybe one day right?

 

I don't have any dollies to take photos of yet, but I think when my boy is finally home I'd like to take him to the park or the zoo, or maybe up to the mountains to take some photos with nice open scenery. I'm not sure if I'll even have the courage to actually do it, though!! It sounds really nerve-wracking...

 

I often take a doll when I go in a foreign country or in a great landscape. Usually people ask questions about dolls (many have never seen a BJD ^^ ) and even ask if they may take pictures of her too : once, in Pompei, I had put the doll with a roman outfit in place of a lost statue on a podium labelled "consul ???us" and half a dozen people took pictures of her too ; and in the middle of geysers in Yellowstone I was taking pictures of my LTFxSoom girl when two asian BJD lovers stopped to talk with me.

 

To be honest, I do not feel comfortable when there are crowds of people around me and my doll (that's more about travelling). I always try to wait when people pass by... but if the place is popular I have no choice. I take out my doll and make photos. Sometimes I notice that tourists do the same.

 

I'm still trying to get used to taking my dolls out in public. The only times I've successfully done it, is during meets, and with my boyfriend. If I was alone, I think I'd be way too self conscious. I already don't like too much attention on me without dolls, let alone the looks or conversations I might get WITH them. :s

I really wish I could get more comfortable,though. Because I love looking at traveling doll pics.

 

I don't think I'd want to carry them around everywhere the way some people enjoy doing, but I would definitely go somewhere semi-public to take some photos if I really loved the location! I think it would garner more "oooh what's that" then it would weird looks or something, but that's just been my experience with other slightly weird things in public (like costumes when you're going to an event).

 

I take my dolls out anywhere I want and I don't care what people think.
My daughter is usually with me and sometimes people think the doll is hers. She straightens them out right away! I have never had anyone say anything negative. Just curious.

 

I also take my dolls out just about anywhere I want. I always take them if we're going on vacation! How could I miss taking awesome doll vacation photos?

I'm going on vacation next week and can't wait to take pictures of my girl and the resort!

 

Do you usually find a discreet unpopulated place so no one can bother you?
Sometimes, but it really depends on the day and my mood. My work hours aren't static, which means I tend to be really lazy whenever I have a day off. This usually leads to me doing my photo shoots in the backyard just because I don't want to leave my house. Ha ha. If I'm feeling adventurous, I'll take them to a public area and do photos. I don't pay too much attention to the people around me and their reactions. If someone is outright rude, well, what are the chances I'll ever see them again anyway? I don't care about what some holier-than-thou jerk-off thinks about me.

Does it bother you that people are watching you as you set up your dolls or taking photos of them?
It used to. I am far better about it now and, for the most part, people are either genuinely curious and nice about it or at least polite enough to keep their stupid judgmental thoughts to themselves. Being stared at is never truly without some level of discomfort, but now I just smile back and sometimes I have the doll wave to them. If people are going to make it easy for you, mess with them!

 

The first time that I took my doll for a photo shoot was when i was with my cousin (which is also a doll owner).

 

I love to take my girl with me, she usually sits on my arm or shoulder and most people stare at her, but so far, I've only heard positive reactions when people talk about me and my doll so that motivates me even more
Plus: it is fun to take your dolls out in the world (as long as you can carry them easy of course, not like my boy who I can carry that well)

 

here in my neighborhood, if i carry my dolls around, they will stare at me like i'm a freak.. only some people will come and ask about the dolls..
so i only take my dolls outside when we gather or dollmeet... if not, i only take picture inside my house

 

I personally feel a little embarrassed when taking photos outside mine or my partners home.
when family are home I feel a little embarrassed cause the still see it as playing with barbies as my doll is near te barbie size.

I take pictures in my garden and I my room. Only once (on the weekend just gone at a Convention) I took a few pictures and a few people stared, but it felt okay as the Nerdy environment is quite welcoming with different hobbies. I think I might start to take dolls out in public (with few people around to stare)
I have a really nice camera and it takes great photos even thugh im sil getting used to the settings andstuf... ive also bought afew book and loked online for tips on how to takerealy nice photos that lookpro.
im getting there though

(please excuse spelling, thi site makesmy keyboard stuff up)

 

I took some pictures around my university, and no one really stared at all. It was really fun and I got some totally awesome pictures!

 

Very seldom. But there's one time when I took my boy to a lake for a little photo shoot, a lot of people stared at us. One time he almost fell into the lake and I heard some people gasp and scream "Oh no!". But what's really nice is that some joggers would stop and ask questions politely (especially some older ladies). I did not expect that since the people in my country aren't exactly familiar with bjds.

 

I have gone to conventions and photographed my dolls outside in front of passerby's

people pretty much just ask what they are and what they cost and they're on their way!

 

I like to take my little dolls out for pics, but i prefer far away places for it, some times there is people in there too, but they are just a little curious, no body cares a lot XD, having different background is really nice ^^

 

I usually try to take them to areas where there are few people. It's just easier.
I've taken them to public places to take photos and been to several doll meets in public places.
People have always been really nice and very curious about the dolls.
They ask lots of questions and at meets that's great, but when I'm trying to do photos it's kind of difficult.
I remember once I was at a doll meet for photo taking and these people stopped and talked to us for quite a while.
They were very nice and I was happy to tell them more about the dolls, but I didn't get any pictures taken while talking to them. XD

 

I would love to take pictures in public but I can't stand passer-bys staring at me. I would have more guts if I was with someone, but I don't have a friend I can drag along just to accompany me take doll photos ;( I have a nice park near my home. Even though there hardly is anyone during lunch, the occasional one or two who walk by me would stop to stare. It makes me uncomfortable. I once had a cat disturb my shoot as well as a bunch of kids. And not to mention old people. I especially hate when people ask questions about my doll because they'll never understand it's not just a toy and they'll never understand "why this 20 year old is taking pictures of such a huge doll in public"

 

I like taking photos of my dolls outside and making them look in scale to the environment. But I hate being watched, and get very nervous when there's lots of people, so try do it mostly in places that are deserted. Most of my outdoors shots are taken on holiday road trips where no one is going to know me anyways, but even then I prefer isolate places, and avoid the really popular spots. But sometimes there's a shot I really want, and there's no helping have people see what I'm doing. One trick I found that helps is to have my camera set so that I can look through the viewfinder without wearing my glasses, so I never need to wear them when taking doll photos. The bonus is that I can't see any onlookers clearly without my glasses, so it's much easier to ignore them. If I can't see them, then they can't see me.

 

Well I'm new in the hobby but I confess I took my boy out with me a couple of times. Mainly because I do handmade bijou and this month I have been going to a Christmas Market every weekend and it's inside a castle but still outside. So I took him with me a couple of days to take pictures when it was sunny (or still daylight only have 2 or 3 with the sun). I confess I chose a time with less people walking by but there were still people walking by and I gotta be honest: I was surprised. Yes, many looked at me like I was nuts but the most found it cute and funny, to my greatest surprise it was the younger people who did the idiot remarks and made fun of me. I was socked, I mean, I knew kids here can be quite judgmental and all but to this point? I remember hearing a girl say: "he's so skinny"... and she was actually skinny, I'm not gonna say as much as him cause I didn't want to pay much attention to her, but really? So yes, it does bother me a little and I get all shy and all, but I guess I'm becoming more at ease with it.

 

I took them out but it became quite disturbing because I had to carry them around...after I buy doll carrier then maybe I'll took them out when it is cloudy or raining since I don't want them to yellowing too much...I only took picture of then when I'm in private area and not too man people since I'm afraid I'll disturb people who passed there.

 

I feel the same. I like to think I can act tough and just deal with the people staring and stuff... but in the end, I'm a male in a hobby that's considered "girly." I feel like people are silently judging me all the time when I have my dolls in public so I rarely go out with them except to meets.

Most of my shooting is done at home in a spare bedroom where I have control of my lights. I may consider taking my dolls out for some snow shoots whenever we get some this season but I generally avoid it because of being nervous about what others think.

 

Oh, I forgot a VERY annoying fact. I know my boy is a flower boy.... but still annoys the crap out of me that that people kept saying "she" was cute and beautiful and all. I was like "he's a boy "
I mean, the cloths he had on were actually "manly" or commonly used by men. I just felt like
(And don't get me started on the woman who basically undressed him on the spot. She pulled his beanie so hard his wig came along. The next say she was like "Oh right, you don't like people touching him!"....Well if the people she's talking about are brutes like her.... the YES, I won't.)

 

I really don't take photos is public. Mostly because I don't like to be stared but also because my dolls don't really 'fit' in our world. They are fantasy and scifi thingies so current street view isn't an option :3

 

It would be nice if I didn't care about people staring at me, or what they thought, because some of the very best pictures I've taken were in public places.

 

I do take my dolls out with me on photography shoots like in the woods somewhere not public but id never take them into town to take pictures as i couldn't stand people judging me or taking the piss, i really wish i could but i just wouldn't be comfortable, just a shame people can be so mean

 

i do get nervous at first when ever i do any kind of photography in public, but then once the camera is up what i see down the lens is all that exists in the universe. i do try to make sure someone else is with me because i do kind of forget about the rest of the world and someone needs to watch out for me. what i get more nervous about the idea of taking my doll out in public is that its dirty and i dont want to damage my doll or have something bad happen to her.

 

I love taking a doll with me for pictures in a public place. If the background is good, I'm more interested in the picture than in anyone staring at me. If it's a busy area, I will find a quiet spot for pics for the safety of my doll.

 

Usually go to a park a find a quiet corner for photo.
May feel a little nervous when ppl staring at my dolls, so mostly I avoid to bring my doll to crowded place.

 

I love to take my dolls to many place and really really love them to enjoy the nature so I mainly take photo of them and people are giving me the look of what are you doing? some I mean many don't understand my passion so mostly people if u r shooting in puplic will look at you in a WTH face ur doing ? just ignore it and enjoy the shooting v.V