Representing your doll sexually?

This. And I'm really uncomfortable telling people in this community that one of my MSD's IS paired with one of my SD's...but my MSD isn't really supposed to be a little girl, just a small and petite woman, which...just so everyone knows...such women do exist.

Take my sister, for instance. She's 25 but still gets IDed for Rated R movies.

My character wasn't made this way for the intention to look more child like...incidentally, the character I created for my beautiful Emmelyse is actually based off of my sister, and my SD off of her husband. My sister, being 4'11, and my brother-in-law, being 5'6. I don't know if you notice, but that's quite a height difference.

I have to say that I've really wanted to do a couples shoot with the two of them, as the dolls mean a lot to both me and my sister, [And my Emmelyse looks so much like my sister, it's super crazy! When I first saw her mold, I was like "OMG, ELEANOR, this doll looks EXACTLY like you!"] but there was always this crazy twist on it from other dolly owners that... it's "sick" or "twisted" or "inappropriate" to have an MSD with an SD. -- or an MSD in any sort of 'sexual/nude' situation at all.

Will that stop me? I'm not entirely sure. However it most certainly HAS made me think twice about doing it -- I'm not a sexual person. I never was, and truthfully, I probably never will be. But my characters are. And their relationship is beautiful, and I'd always wanted to show their relationship in a photo story of some sorts. But the restrictions and judgements that have been thrown around DEFINITELY made me really insecure about it.

 

That's what I was attempting to say, mostly it's the fear of judgement that stops people from using their dolls in such situations, because even though the doll is supposed to be a certain age/person, not everybody is going to see that.

The hesitation is what I was trying to bring up, just because most people who think about it usually stop and think "oh, what will people say/think"? And it's not bad to have those thoughts! It shows that the person is thinking carefully about their art. It sucks when you create something you love and all people do is fling mud. But, on the other hand, it's a bit of cause for concern whenever someone/something is distinctly 'childlike', because people have quick-judging minds.

I have a friend who looks very young, but she's somewhere around 27. She gets turned down a lot for photoshoot castings because people don't want the harassment of "omg is that child porn?" whenever the pictures are displayed, and it's a very real concern. It's a known fact that people judge, and they judge quickly, and don't often want to listen to explanations.

I think it becomes different with dolls, because people in the community will understand, and be more willing to read/listen to the explanation of the scenes/dolls. It's just when the outside world looks in and judges that things get messy.
That's mostly the attempted gist of my discussion.

 

This may sound odd, but I'm not sure that's entirely true. The first time my mother ever saw my first two dolls she referred to them as 'men' which I intended them to be, but they are not the mature mini type one being a KDF and the other one an AR LF. It's really hard to guess what nondoll people are going to think about anything. Some see doll and automatically assume female no matter how it's dressed or what the sculpt looks like. To some doll = child no matter what it looks like, others don't seem to assume much one way or another and really don't seem to care much -- a lot of nonhobbyists aren't actually all that interested in the hobbies of other people anyway.

People in the abjd community, however, know what a doll is made to be by the company, the difference between various body types etc which can almost be worse when someone is just bound and determined that a particular doll should be viewed in a certain way. This isn't something that has really come up in this thread, but has sometimes in the past. The idea that the outside public are the ones to fear seems to me to be less of an issue (unless you're talking about some really graphic pics posted in a very public place), but rather a lot of the flak actually comes from fellow hobbyists who either fear the public's reaction, or can't wrap their heads around the fact that people don't view certain sculpts the same way.

I think the big issue is not so much what you choose to do with your doll but 1) How you handle the subject matter 2) Where you post the pictures and 3) Whether or not the photostory/shoot is properly labeled. DoA has little icons that you can use for romantic stories and shoots that lets people know both the size and genders of the dolls involved -- and yes, there is even one for SD/Mini sized couples. If the pics don't break forum rules, and they are labeled properly then the poster is well within their rights to put up said pics and whoever doesn't like it doesn't have a leg to stand on. If someone has been warned, and they chose to look anyway, the fault is all theirs.

Wanting to be true to your own vision for your dolls yet not wanting to draw the ire of other hobbyists can be a tricky line to walk sometimes. I can understand and feel for the people who are uneasy about posting their photostories, because I have also had ideas that I've held back on due to how the subject matter might be taken. In the end, though, I would suggest letting forum rules be your guide, because it's impossible to please everybody no matter what you do and trying to will only drive you crazy.

 

Taking pictures of my dolls in a sexual situation is something I would be very uncomfortable with. As a person who likes looking at pictures of actual human naked girls I find it difficult to see a photo of some dolls naked together simulating sex as sexual at all, but a representation. Like if I were to put my friends action men in crude poses together, that would be more for juvenile laughs. Its fine if thats how you like to enjoy your dolls but I tend to find trying to sexualise dolls amusing. As for pictures of them naked sitting about, which is something I have done with my dolls, its more about seeing the body sculpt, like a sculpture. I cant say I have stood in front of a naked statue and thought 'phwoar yeh, cracking tits', but more about how it was made, appreciating it that way. Every one has their own ways of enjoying their dolls though, so if thats your thing then go for it!

 

This. I'll be honest...I'm not really one of those people who fusses over "this mold > this mold" or "more expensive = better." I was...never that way. I've loved dolls forever. On the same token, I never look at a doll as its company, but rather what the owner wants of their doll. I may ask what mold a doll is, not to judge it, but because I like it and may be interested in buying it or seeing what other people did with it...but what a company defines as a doll is definitely different from how I defined my dolls. I'm just really happy you brought this up. A doll is still a doll, and a doll is what its owner makes of it, especially in this hobby when the dolls are so customizable.

I'm ...really happy you posted this. It actually made me feel a lot better. Although, I still feel a bit insecure putting photostories up on DoA. Maybe its because I'm new or something, but I still have a bit of an insecurity with people telling me I'm making something inappropriate. But I think I will make my photo-story now...I just may keep it in my doll journal instead of on here.

 

I occasionally pose my dollies for the occasional lingerie or underwear shot, since such things aren't often seen and can be extremely attractive and detailed. I won't take it much further than that, mainly because my dollies are self-conscious.

 

I agree. I think that when done artistically, (especially in pretty lingerie) these pictures could look lovely. Although I think it is strange to just take full-out naked shots, because they're dolls. Plus, I think of my dollfie as my child, and I wouldn't want my mother taking naked shots of me and posting them everywhere.

 

This is clearly a touchy topic, and I'm not sure how to answer. I am a fan of artistic nude and scenes that depict the physical and emotional bond between two or more persons(pin-ups are nice too, if there is detail to it). To me, it depends on how the photo shoot was done, and whether or not it was thought out. Too often I've seen 'just because' shoots, and that bothers me. That is really my only problem with it. There are some "moral" issues, but my views are always "better it be expressed through art than a real person"..

 

I'm pretty new to all this and I've already come across reasonably explicit photos to promote particular dolls (with the naughty bits starred out!). It appears that certain companies will use this to promote the flexibility? of their dolls. Personally it makes me uncomfortable, whilst they are artist dolls and lovingly created (I hope), I don't really like to think of them in the same rein as sex toys, nothing wrong in dressing them to look sexy but aping sexual positions naked? Not for me.

 

firstly i have to mention that i admit when i first got my dollfie dream out of the box the first thing that popped into my head was "she's got big boobs" and after 10min of ogling and various crude poses for bit of a laugh it wore off and now i am more like "meh...whatever" so i chalk that up to the fact this was my first ever doll, i tend to do the same with new cast off anime figure's, i take all the parts of for a good look, more out of curiosity than anything else, but someone went to a lot of work to make all those detailed painted parts it is a complete waste to display them without.

This is a really controversial subject and reminds me of the debate surrounding hentai with what is morally right, if its ok to show obvious sexual images involving subjects that are of a dubious age(eg lolli hentai).
people argue that it is not real its just pixels and its the same for dolls, some people will stand by the fact that they are just plastic and not real people and while this is true it is the depiction of a sexual act that is what i believe should not be taken lightly.

i love B&W erotic art,pin-up girls and lots of different styles of modern nude art so i don't have a problem with people showing dolls topless or modeling any form of lingerie and underwear because i think its all in good fun, some of the outfits are truly spectacular and certainly worth showing off but fully naked pictures with no clothes at all? i find them pretty boring and don't really see the point.
BUT i draw the line at blatant portrayal pornography (sex done tastefully is ok but i still don't really see a NEED for it) i admit i have seen some stuff, i didn't go looking for it but stumbled upon it anyway and while i am mature enough not to be phased by stuff like that its still pretty disgusting and it was obvious the owner of the dolls wanted to portray underage sex!.

luckily as adults we have a choice not to look at it and have a back button but that's where i draw the line, by all means play with and do anything you want with your dolls in the privacy of your own home, just don't go displaying it for all to see on the net unless you have a point to get across that is a little deeper than just some kind of cheap sexual gratification.

 

If I had some older dolls, I'm pretty sure I'd take some sexual, artistic pictures, but I'd limit them to following the doll's original story. So, i really do not mind sexual (or pretty sexually explicit) pics of dolls 'long as the dolls're "old" enough.

Sexual pictures of underage dolls, on the other hand (note: sexual pictures, not artistic nudity), kinda makes me queasy, as I normally look at them (the BJDs) as "dolls with a soul", and then associate them with humans. I really dislike this kind of pics, and I will think badly of people who post them online, but it's okay with me if the people who take them keep them for themselves.

So, basically, for me it depends on the doll's "age".

 

If you are one of those people that refer to dolls as their children and parade them around in a sexual manner than i find it a bit creepy. I sort of equate it to the creepy pageant moms who allow their eight year olds to wear provocative outfits and try to make them appear more grown-up and sexually attractive. In that case I find it rather disturbing.

I do not view my dolls as my children. I view them as pretty things that sit on my shelf. If I were to buy them a pretty outfit and it happened to be provocative, I have no problem with taking photos of them like that.

 

I don't have my dolls yet but I do enjoy the romantic shounen-ai photographs. Otherwise, I find panty shots and sex scenes kind of. . .whats the word? creepy. xD Not to be offensive. Even if they weren't dolls, panty shot photos are still creepy.

 

No I would not unless they're modeling new underwear I just bought her and even then I wouldn't post it up online just keep it to myself. She's my doll and its a bit weird for me to see her model like that.

 

If they are adult dolls and are tastefully posed and shown then I think it is acceptable.

 

I am conservative so i don't quite like it. But it's their dolls~they can do whatever they want. I will just avoid it. I don't like sex (eeks, no offense) so I won't like my dolls doing something I don't like. Underwear shots are okay. But, I do get pissed when companies have pictures of their dolls in the large breast option and revealing clothes. There are 3 breast sizes and all the pictures include the large one. WEARING REVEALING CLOTHES!!!! Like they are 'selling' the dolls to us. I am worried that when non-doll people saw me looking a nude dolls to understand their poseability, they misunderstand it as porn.

 

I don't mind sexual photos, but yeah they have to be tasteful, well executed... I have considered doing photos like these of my doll (when I get him) and his lover (when I get him too).

It would all be meant to convey emotion between the characters... that and I bet it would be a good exercise in learning how to pose dolls.

 

Would you photograph your doll (or let your doll be photographed) in an obviously sexual manner?

Yes. But, my idea of "sexual manner" is likely different from many other perspectives. One may view "sexual manner" as:

a) naked doll
b) doll in underwear
c) sexually provocative pose
d) sexually provocative clothing
e) other

To be honest, we live in a sexed-up advertising world where sexual innuendo is in pop-up ads while playing games or in fashion magazines and is even in some family programming. Teen idols wear sexually provocative clothing and mothers dress their kids in such attire as well. It's not surprising dolls are as well. However, I think there is a fine-line between tasteless and tasteful. And, for everyone, that line is in one big gray zone.

For me, dolls are fun. I wear almost the same thing everyday - jeans and sneakers. So, to dress up a doll in a big ruffly dress or in pink or in black and in contrasting looks is what is fun for me. I only recently very softly stepped into the sexually provocative posing avenue with perhaps sexually provocative clothing, but I had the doll not showing any skin. Because, for me, that IS sexually provocative. Too often, sexual expression is so "in your face" and obvious it lacks any art, in my personal opinion. I think people should do it if that is what they wish to do, but it's not for me.

The only thing that I find disturbing is when child-like dolls are photographed in not so much a cute way but in a more pornagraphic way. That bothers me. But, even that can be subjective since everyone has different perceptions as to what constitutes a "child" doll. One moment my SD13 will be very child-like for example and then the next day I've got her in a completely different "adult" look.

There really isn't any right or wrong, I think, because they are "only" dolls.

 

I think there's a fine line between trashy and tasteful, but it is there. I wouldn't post pictures of my doll in some kind of sexual way unless it really was tasteful. now, I don't think there's anything wrong with tasteful nudes. even in dolls. but I agree that it can get to a point where you wonder if the owner might be fetishizing them. (which is especially creepy if you consider them to be children) the only time I would ever post a bad picture of a naked doll would likely be if I were planning to sell him and wanted to show off the merchandise in full. I wouldn't buy a doll if I didn't know what was under their clothes.

 

I agree with the person who said "people will do with their dolls as they please and it really is not anyone else's business to comment on or have issue with that at all."

These are dolls not people and artitstic nudity is really subjective. The simple rule should be; if you don't like it, then don't look. I have not personally done anything like that but if I paid for my dolls, asi apparently have and I want to display them in this manner, then I should be able to do so without anyone else's detraction or opinion being voiced.