To those who dreamed of being a Disney Princess, growing up we always fantasized about the phrase "Happily ever after." However, Disney fails to demonstrate the harsh reality of life.
In the stories Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, The Little Mermaid and Little Red Riding Hood, the characters all suffer from small petty problems. Whether it's eating a poison apple, losing a shoe, or delivering a package to the wrong person.
As we grow older, life gets harder. Our problems become increasingly more severe. These life-like photos demonstrate the unfortunate truth of what the characters life could come to be when the story ends.
Photographer Dina Goldstein shows a not-so-ever-after life of Disney characters without the singing birds, helpful friends, Prince Charming to save the day, and fairy tale magic.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Depressing Fantasy
- There is an opportunity to create alternative fairy tales that visually represent the realities of modern life.
- Subverted Iconography
- There is an opportunity to create new iconography for popular culture that challenge long-held societal norms.
- Adult Fairy Tales
- There is an opportunity to create fairy tales for adults that cater to their needs and emotions.
Where This Applies
- Photography
- There is an opportunity to generate business by creating alternative or subverted photography that presents traditional forms of art in a modern light.
- Entertainment
- There is an opportunity to create new movies or TV shows that cater to the evolving tastes of society that are resistant to conventional or predictable storylines.
- Marketing
- There is an opportunity to create campaigns or commercials that represent the harsh reality of everyday life instead of conventional formulas aimed at making consumers feel good.
