STAND Lookbook Issue 34

THEHOLIDAYISSUE

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Contributers: Submit your photos to editor@thestandmag.com for consideration at any time. You will be contacted by the editor for photos that may be used in an issue.

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2022 facebook.com/thestandmag instagram.com/thestandmag

coverphoto: SartoriaJ Naomi, Raccoondoll Monica, Iplehouse KIDs Paige & Daisy photographer: Martha Boers

All images are owned by their respective photographers and all images are provided with permission. Credit is given on each image according to what is provided by contributor. STAND is not responsible for incorrect information.

Well, another year behind us and another year ahead of us to fill with hopes and dreams for a better future.

Not sure about you, but 2022 was a tough year for me. The continuation of the pandemic and the problems associated with that were partly to blame, but as the year wrapped up it also became the year I lost my mother after a very long illness. As a caregiver, the grieving process began a couple of years ago in the form of anticipatory grief while my mom began her decline...some call it “the long goodbye”. For those experiencing loss, the holidays can be a difficult time, especially with the thought of traditional activities and gatherings taking place without your lost loved one. And yet, it is through these gatherings that somehow the holidays have the capacity to transform some of that grief into celebration--celebration of family, celebration of love, and celebration of memories.

It was this realization (as well as my own anticipation of how the holidays would feel this year for the first time without her) that led to this issue’s theme of “Gatherings”. They say that gatherings feed the soul and meet the very basic human need of connectedness. The challenge to our photographers for this issue was to show their interpretation of the theme and as you’ll see, they again stepped up to the challenge. The concept of gatherings has been captured so beautifully in photos that are poignant, rich with emotion and intent, and even humor. I thank our contributors for stepping up to the challenge and showing us how gatherings, whether large or small, in person or virtual, and even represented as a gathering of thoughts, have meaning, purpose and a sense of connectedness.

As Vern McLellan said, “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year”. For me, the new year will be a year of adjustment and renewed purpose. I plan on bringing my best to 2023, and hope you do, too!

Thank you to our contributors, sponsors, advertisers and readers for your continued support and making STAND a part of your lives!

Let’s make this a great 2023! Happy New Year!

Deborah Hood, PhD Editor-In-Chief

dolls: Tiny Ted and Little Ted by Liz Frost photographer: Deborah Hood

doll: Realpuki Tyni by Fairyland photographer: Liane Laughlin

dolls: Iplehouse FID Baron and SartoriaJ Naomi photographer: Martha Boers

dolls: SartoriaJ Naomi, Raccoondoll Monica, Iplehouse KIDs Paige & Daisy, BIDs Nami & Ringo photographer: Martha Boers

dolls: moroLAB2 Erzsébet and moroLAB2 Nile photographer: Niebieski_Kot

doll: Elfdoll Sian photographer: Dolls of Milena

dolls: Ptichka Lora and Mary by Eslyns Dolls photographer: photoartitude_dolls

doll: Seymour by Kingdom Doll photographer: Brian Bunting

doll: Heath by Kingdom Doll photographer: Brian Bunting

dolls: Manuna Mice, Smuzhka Raccoon, Khitrula Fox, Mr. Ropuha Toad, & Komirka Chipmunk

by Whispering Grass photographer:Martha Boers

dolls: Manuna Mice, Smuzhka Raccoon, Khitrula Fox, & Komirka Chipmunk

by Whispering Grass photographer:Martha Boers

dolls: Manuna Mice, Smuzhka Raccoons, Khitrula Foxes, Mr. Ropuha Toads, & Komirka Chipmunks

by Whispering Grass photographer:Martha Boers

dolls: Little Ted and Tiny Ted by Liz Frost photographer: Deborah Hood

dolls: Little Ted and Tiny Ted by Liz Frost photographer: Deborah Hood

dolls: Little Ted and Tiny Ted by Liz Frost photographer: Deborah Hood

doll: OOAK Wizard/Santa Hybrid by Martha Boers photographer:Martha Boers

doll: Honor Sybarite by Superdoll photographer: Liane Laughlin

doll: Sherbert Sybarite by Superdoll photographer: Liane Laughlin

dolls: Iplehouse Violet and Owen photographer: Nakia Powell Spencer

dolls: Elfhog and Hedgehog Fairie by Charles Creature Cabinet photographer: Nicolette Peppinck

doll: Integrity Toys Ayumi Repaint by Park photographer: Wil Herold

dolls: Silviot by rosen_garden_bjd and Kathleen by Eslyns Dolls photographer: photoartitude_dolls

doll: Yanto by Amicus Dolls photographer: photoartitude_dolls

dolls: Integrity Toys Adele Makeda photographer: Deborah Hood

doll: Integrity Toys Eugenia repaint by Park photographer: Wil Herold

MarbledHalls it’sallaboutthedetails...

ConnieLowecanbefoundonFacebook

dolls: Tuula by Charles Creature Cabinet photographer: Deborah Hood

dolls: Realpuki Pupu and Toki by Fairyland photographer: Liane Laughlin

Your BEST SHOT

As part of an ongoing article series, STAND presents tips, tricks and best practices to help you “STAND out” in your photography. In this issue, let’s discuss using props to enhance your images.

What is a prop? A prop can be any visual aid that adds meaning to your photography to help tell the story you are trying to tell. A prop could be furniture, something in the background, food, animals, accessories and other objects. Most doll enthusiasts pay close attention to the outfit a doll is wearing in a photo (which is important), but a good prop is something that can add context, help illustrate a message, and even add a sense of realism to a photo. As a doll photographer, I am always on the hunt for a good prop. Where do you find good props? Many artists and doll companies produce great quality props and furniture. You can also make your own if you are crafty. Personally, I love looking for props and this time of year, I love examining Christmas ornaments for their potential in a doll photo.

Here are some key points to remember as you work with props:

• Keep the props relevant to your message. If the prop does not enhance the image, don’t use it. In the first image at right, I used a miniature snowglobe to enhance my goal of conveying a sense of wonder in the two dolls. To make the image more magical, I added small christmas trees with LED lights in the background.

• Make sure your props are at the right scale. Barbie®-sized props may work great for fashion dolls and YOSDs, but are too small for SDs. Conversely, American Girl®-sized props are great for many SDs, but would not work for smaller subjects. In the second image, I used a Christmas ornament that I found in the shape of a mailbox that was perfectly scaled for a tiny YOSD. Dollhouse props and Schleich® figures added to the story.

• Don’t overuse props or allow them to overpower a photograph. Remember, the prop should enhance the subject, not be the subject. In the third photo, although I placed the Menorah in the front of the the setting, the focus remains on the doll as her focus is on the Menorah.

Remember, your images can be whatever you want them to be. Try experimenting with different props to see how they enhance your photos and help you tell your story. Look for props in unexpected places...you never know when a great find may inspire an idea for your photography. It happens to me all the time! Last of all, have fun!

Examples of Props

Props: Christmas trees and lights, snowglobe and table found at a hobby store

Sculpts: Tuppance & Winnie by Rose BBflockling

Deborah Hood, PhD

Sculpt: Stella by Connie Lowe

Sculpts: Little Ted and Tiny Ted by Liz Frost Props:

doll: Le Petit Monde Marigold photographer: Bree Banks

dolls: Cat by Likadoll_polina and Tanya by Tatjana Shishatskaya photographer: Ruthiepooh

dolls: Pygmalion Kyle, MysticKids Francis and DollFamily-A Damien photographer: Niebieski_Kot

dolls: Sadol Dal-Ha and RosenGarden Rui photographer: Niebieski_Kot

dolls: Azone Noah, June and Yuuta photographer: Niebieski_Kot

dolls: Iplehouse KID Lonnie with BIDs Naias, Coco, Bono & Byuri photographer: Martha Boers

doll: Fairyland Sircca photographer: Anna Justice

dolls: Iplehouse BIDs Erzulie, Coco and Bono photographer: Martha Boers

doll: Ptichka Lora photographer: photoartitude_dolls

doll: Phoenix Doll Liu photographer: Dolls of Milena

doll: Muse of Bone by Sideshow Collectibles photographer: Deborah Hood

doll: Bimong Dandelion photographer: Dolls of Milena

ConnieLowecanbefoundonFacebook

dolls: Realpuki and Pukipuki by Fairyland photographer: Ruthiepooh

dolls: Asleep Eidolon Abyss and RosenGarden Chocolate Cookie photographer: Niebieski_Kot

doll: Realpuki Toki by Fairyland photographer: Liane Laughlin

dolls: moroLAB2 Erzsébet and moroLAB2 Nile photographer: Niebieski_Kot