Lovingly Creepy antique doll photography By ben schneider
about Ben Schneider
I’ve been photographing antique dolls for many years, fascinated by the multitude of faces, expressions, clothing and hair (or lack thereof). But it always came back to the eyes. Centering each photo on the eyes helps gazers notice tiny details while also contemplating who may have owned each doll over the years. Each emits an aura of nostalgia and beauty, both familiar and unexpected, and I affectionately call them “lovingly creepy.”
While I work during the week in New York City as a project manager at The New York Times, I’ve been splitting my time between there and Callicoon, New York, in the Western Catskills. I am often stopping to rummage in vintage stores and have found my subjects throughout Sullivan County, NY, and Wayne County, PA, as well as in my home state of Minnesota.
Please let me know what you think of the photos and follow us on Instagram. I have unique gifts available in an Etsy store. They are also available in two amazing shops in the Western Catskills: Litt Home & Book in Callicoon and Gardner & Co. General Store in Hortonville.
Gallery
Shop etsy online
Canvas Prints
Magnet Sets
Coaster Sets
Christmas Ornaments
Shop in the western catskills
Litt Home & Book, Callicoon, NY
Gardner & Co. General Store, Hortonville, NY
exhibitions
october 1-14, 2025: Jeff foto Fest, jeffersonville, nY
Jeffersonville, NY and The Jeffersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, is hosting its first-ever Jeff Foto Fest, bringing photography to the heart of this small Catskills town. The event features work from local professional and fine art photographers as well as images by alumni of the Eddie Adams Workshop. The photos cover a wide range of subjects—not just local scenes—and highlight how photography helps us see everyday life in new ways. With exhibits in storefronts and public spaces, the festival invites everyone to stop, look, and appreciate the stories pictures can tell, whether from across the world or right next door. Learn more.