I spotted him at my favorite antique store in Dallas.  But my friend strongly advised against purchasing the doll.  In fact, very few friends and strangers supported me.  An informal poll I ran that day produced the following results:

15 very strong “NO! Don’t buy it!” comments.

4 “Yeses.”  (the yeses were a mixed bag—some very strongly supporting to some hesitant yeses.)

My conclusion:  I had to buy him and I did.

I named him Percival Sunshine and decided to take him to a photo shoot for work.  I’m known for taking unusual items to a photo shoot but that day might take the cake.

I stuffed Percival in a bag with his head peering out of the top and went to the photography studio.  The moment I walked in to the studio everyone asked what the doll was about.  Then Percival was promptly escorted throughout the studio for everyone to enjoy.  They loved him!

Although we had lots of samples to get photographed we had time for fun.

Here are some highlights…

Then the unexpected happened.  Percy was asked to sit in on a photo.

Then he got to hold the gray card for our photographer.  (Disclaimer, this photo isn’t the best, my camera is not connected to any of the equipment (lights) in the studio.  My camera settings weren’t the best and I was distracted by the doll).  

By lunchtime everyone was very tired… and hungry.  Especially Percival.

After lunch he was back to his same antics… hiding on sets and waiting to see if anyone noticed…. They did.

By the end of the photo shoot I almost concluded I’m ready to purchase a companion for Percival.  But for now I’ll see what kind of mischief and adventures I can photograph with him and hopefully we’ll be able to show that creepy looking ventriloquist’s dolls aren’t that bad….

 

Notes:
Cameras used:  Canon 5D Mark II, Canon G 16
Date:  January 2015