Tired of hearing your mother ask you when you're going to find the right person and settle down? Try sending a holiday greeting like this. That'll keep your mom quiet.
In my 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, the image of a "perfect life" is lampooned. Mannequins and humor are used to comment on mid-20th century societal expectations still present for women of a "certain age" to marry and have children. Asking, "Why is it that women need a wedding ring and a baby carriage to be seen as successful?"
Annually, I'll photograph myself posing with an artificial family for our Holiday Portrait for a "Holiday Greeting." Being single at a time that's all about family can make you feel like an Outsider. I got very tired of other people sending me holiday cards, complete with adorable photos of growing kids, and puppies wearing Santa hats. As a single, child-free woman, how could I display my developments over the past year? Was a family a badge of honor, and of a life well lived? Did I need to go buy a puppy and a Santa Hat? I thought, why don't I just buy a family? Taking charge of the situation, as if a credit card purchase would solve what others perceived as my incompletion as a woman.
A Single Girl's Answer to the Family Holiday Greeting Card
How Much Is That Family In The Window?(01 of14)
December 14, 2014 - Denver, Colorado, USA: For her annual holiday photo greeting, American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, photographs herself with her store-bought family, ironically catching themselves on display in a shop window. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to challenge the mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her immitation husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Family Crisis(02 of14)
Dec 4, 2013 - Denver, Colorado, USA: In a moment of crisis American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, reunites with her imitation family for their annual holiday photo, after a trial separation in Paris. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations.
High Spirits(03 of14)
Dec 17, 2012 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, takes her imitation family for a day on the ski slopes of the Rocky Mountains for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Sleigh Ride of a Different Kind(04 of14)
Dec 17, 2012 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, takes her imitation family for an unconventional sleighride for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Holiday Skating(05 of14)
Dec 17, 2012 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, takes her imitation family for an unconventional sleighride for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Gingerbread(06 of14)
Dec 20, 2010 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, stares out into the cold winter, while her imitation family enjoys the warmth of the hearth and the sweetness of Christmas Gingerbread for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Snow Angels(07 of14)
Dec 24, 2009 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, makes snow angels with her imitation family for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
The Accident(08 of14)
December 24, 2008 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, warns her imitation husband of an impending holiday head on collision with stock market of 2008. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." Each year she stages a new holiday card scene with tongue firmly in cheek to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations.
Joy To The World(09 of14)
December 12, 2009 - Loveland, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, glows with holiday joy amid the Rocky Mountains, tabogganing with her imitation family. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." Each year she stages a new holiday card scene with tongue firmly in cheek to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Do You Hear What I Hear?(10 of14)
Dec 24, 2007 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, makes snow angels with her imitation family for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Eyes All Aglow(11 of14)
November 27, 2006 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, photographs her imitation daughter eyeing toys at the local shopping mall for her annual holiday photo greeting. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Santa's Lap(12 of14)
November 27, 2006 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, brings her imitation family to the local mall to pose with Santa for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
The Tree(13 of14)
Dec 07, 2000 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, shares a traditional Christmas morning with her imitation family for their annual holiday photo. It is the single girl's answer to the popular family photo greeting card. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
Life Of The Party(14 of14)
Dec 31, 2012 - Denver, Colorado, USA: American Conceptual Photographer, Suzanne Heintz, scowls at her imitation husband for his less than gentlemanly behavior on New Years Eve. Part of her 14 year self-portrait photo series, LIFE ONCE REMOVED, in which Heintz satirizes the image of a "Perfect Life." She uses humor to comment on mid-20th Century societal expectations still present for women of a "Certain Age" to marry and have children. She recreates all aspects of family life with her store bought husband and daughter, featuring them in scenes of blissful domestic life in and outside of the home, traditional holidays, and idyllic family vacations. (Suzanne Heintz / Polaris)
See what you think of these holiday cards in this slideshow. For more visit http://suzanneheintz.com
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