# Ambiguous Barbie Captures These Doll Portraits by Jon Shireman Hide the Iconic Doll's Identity By Jana Pijak | Published 2013-03-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jon-shireman References: [sweet-station](http://sweet-station.com/blog/2013/03/jon-shireman/) & [jonshireman](http://www.jonshireman.com/) Photographer Jon Shireman captures [iconic doll Barbie](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autistic-barbie) and her friends in his latest conceptual portrait series. The ambiguous photoshoot hides the identity of the famous doll, capturing her only from the neck down. While disguised, the doll remains recognizable thanks to her popular status as one of the world's most famed [mass-manufactured toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inedible-doll). Jon Shireman's work depicts lifelike versions of the girly doll and captures her and her friends as they smile, looking off into the distance and seemingly pose for the photographer's lens. At first glance, the portraits seem like those of human rather than doll subjects thanks to their realistic gestures. Moreover, the portraits also explore a child's relationship with their toys and the the make-believe world they create. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 78% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Live Arts](https://www.trendhunter.com/livearts) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Ambiguous Doll Photography:** Capturing dolls in a way that hides their identity and blurs the line between doll and human subjects. - **Exploring Childhood Fantasy:** Investigating the imaginative world children create through their toys and the impact on their development. - **Reinventing Iconic Toys:** Creating new and innovative ways to portray and interact with popular mass-manufactured toys like Barbie. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** Opportunities in experimental and conceptual photography, pushing the boundaries of traditional doll photography. - **Toy Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation in the design and production of iconic toys, incorporating elements of fantasy and imagination. - **Child Development:** Exploring ways to enhance creative play and cognitive development through toys and make-believe experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pop Art Legend-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keiichi-tanaami-1.md) - [Iconic Doll-Inspired Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-the-exhibition.md) - [Miniaturized Doll Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-barbieland.md) - [Doll-Inspired Retro Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-instant-camera.md) - [Art-Inspired Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-mattel-x-moma.md) - [Immersive Dollhouse Candles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-dreamhouse-candle.md) - [Retro Doll-inspired Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-600-malibu-barbie-instant-film-camera.md) - [Inspiring Role Model Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-role-models.md) - [Gen Alpha Barbie Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gen-z-barbie.md)