Uncanny Portraits of Older Women With Their Childhood Dolls

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Some toys stick with you forever. In Vera Saltzman’s intimate yet strangely unsettling portrait series, which we spotted over at Feature Shoot, the Canadian-based photographer captures women over 40 with their childhood dolls, their faces steeped in nostalgia. As Saltzman writes, “Sigmund Freud believed the uncanny to be something which leads us back to what is old and familiar but is at the same time “unheimlich” or uncomfortable. This series explores the idea of the uncanny as it manifests in a longing for youth, and a recognition of mortality.” Uncanny indeed. Check out a few of our favorites from the series after the jump, and then be sure to head over to Saltzman’s website to see more of her work.

Arvelle and Shirley. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Debbie and Dolly. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Vera and Sally. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Lynda and Baby. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Sue and Winnie. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Maureen and Shirley. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Judy and Susan. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Valerie and Louise. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Lois and Maria. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman

Elizabeth and Teeny. Photo Credit: Vera Saltzman