New arrivals, first things to do?

[Bobster]

My new arrival is coming in less than 24 hours. I have seen post where people take photos of them when they first get to the new home. I am going to do that for completeness. Is there anything you would have done or you do now when a new one comes home for the first time?

Bobby

[Bel]

Ooooh, an Elena, congrats!

Just have fun with it! I *mean* to take arrival/unboxing photos whenever dolls arrive, but it never happens. I guess I like the private discovery, myself. And then, about nine minutes after I've oohed and aahed over the doll (even my very first, the first I'd ever seen in person) I've got the head off, poked the eyes out, undone the string, strewn limbs all over, etc.

It's kind of the complete opposite of Xmas morning for me: open the "gift" package with the utmost care in private, and then, once the gift is in hand, TEAR IT UP. :yey Heheh.

But if want to do the arrival-photo thing, be sure to include these standbys:
Pic of box w/comment about how large it is
Close-up of funny things on box, like "fragile" glass with its tongue sticking out
Points for including an action figure or plushie holding the scissors
Multiple pics of bubble-wrapped hands and face with "help, I can't breathe" captions
Apologies for nudity, wrong wig, wrong eyes
CRUCIAL: cat in the box. If no cat is available, an artfully-arranged washcloth and carrot will do fine, as long as you explain it's a cat stand-in.


I kid. :p And I actually think arrival shoots including all of the above are adorable.

But do enjoy yourself, whatever you choose to do!

[lin]

I check it out to make sure all the parts are there and there is no damage (especially if I am buying a new doll), then I play with it. I don't take photos until my doll is just the way I want it to be with faceup, wig and clothes.

[silk]

Everytime I get a doll I check it, just like the poster above me. Just to be sure everything is allright. And I've never done a box-opening shoot. All I can do is just stare in amazement --> they are s� very beautiful!

[crazyspiderlegs]

I, too have never done the box-opening thing. My first doll arrived via a friend's house, the second doll arrived in parts (actually so did the first)...and the third doll is actually my friend's... but a present from me (and it wouldn't have felt right to photo her doll...).

It's kind of hard to have a proper box opening shoot when all you have is a head or just the body ;__; So I hope you have fun with that :D

[Em]

CRUCIAL: cat in the box. If no cat is available, an artfully-arranged washcloth and carrot will do fine, as long as you explain it's a cat stand-in.


*snort*

I'd say, for me, it's a massive squeeeeee! followed by checking out seam lines, removing eyes, playing with wigs etc.
I don't really take arrival photos.

[marsh]

Well, first I do the crazy chicken dance. Then I make the new doll do the crazy chicken dance while the other dolls watch. Then we burn the white sage ...

No, I kid.

Usually there's a mad dash for the camera and a box-cutter or a pair of scissors. I take a lot of box opening pictures as each step of the reveal takes place. The new doll gets a thorough inspection and, if it's a second hand doll, a bath if it arrives dirty.

I try to have a Welcome Outfit prepared for the new kid. After he or she is dressed we take more pictures, before the newcomer's introduction to the others.

Cat in the box, on the box or next to the box pictures are optional, but in my house, pretty much inevitable.

[takira]

First, I squee. Actually, first I DRIVE, since I tend to have all my dolls shipped to a friend instead of my address (I live in an apartment complex where packages go "missing" often enough I worry) so the doll has generally arrived several days before I get there to open it. If there are other dolls whose characters are relevant to that of the doll in the box, they are assembled to watch.

Opening box pics are taken meticulously, then never cropped, edited, or posted anywhere.

New doll is played with naked, more often than not the eyes and wig are changed right away, and then dressed and some haphazard pictures taken in crappy indoor light at night, promising to take better ones the next day (which inevitably turns out to have crappy outdoor light as well).

New doll is posed inappropriately-for-young-children if it has a friend amongst the resident crew, or winsomely by itself if it has no mate. Pictures are all carefully sorted, rotated, cropped, sharpened, etc, and then never posted anywhere because I promised myself I'd get better ones.

I think it would be pretty notable to have a cat OUT of the box pic, honestly.

[Stella Maris]

So impatient, I've never done a box opening photo session. Even my husband mocks me, what you're not going to take pictures of the box? eh, maybe I'll do that for my Rosy, although I don't want to embarass her, as she won't have a face up!

[Bobster]

Ooooh, an Elena, congrats!
Thanks, I really liked the sculpt photos of the face the most of the standard SD13 girls.


I've got the head off, poked the eyes out, undone the string, strewn limbs all over, etc.

Actually, one of the first things I wanted to do was pull the top of the head off. :) I am glad to see I am not the only one. :) The only other place I have seen detached heads were at con panels.



CRUCIAL: cat in the box. If no cat is available, an artfully-arranged washcloth and carrot will do fine, as long as you explain it's a cat stand-in.


Don’t have a cat right now, but did see one post with a cat in the box. Perhaps an African Grey parrot would do?

She's at the house. Only about seven more hours, 408 miles by jet, 23 miles by cab and then she and I meet for the first time!!! Yea!!!

Thank you al for the great ideas.

Bobby

[Vega]

But if want to do the arrival-photo thing, be sure to include these standbys:
Pic of box w/comment about how large it is
Close-up of funny things on box, like "fragile" glass with its tongue sticking out
Points for including an action figure or plushie holding the scissors
Multiple pics of bubble-wrapped hands and face with "help, I can't breathe" captions
Apologies for nudity, wrong wig, wrong eyes
CRUCIAL: cat in the box. If no cat is available, an artfully-arranged washcloth and carrot will do fine, as long as you explain it's a cat stand-in.




I'm sorry, but this just made me laugh *so hard* I had to comment.
As for me, I'm one of those who always plans to take box-opening pictures, but gets waaaaaaaay to excited and just opens her up as quickly and carefully as possible. :p I guess one of the other things I do immediately after unwrapping a new doll is introduce them to the family!
-Vega

[Jinxferen]

Congratulations! I've never done the box-opening photos myself (since my first doll came as a kit and my second is just a head!). I'd second what the previous posters said about checking for any damage, like cracks in the resin or chipping, especially nearby the joints and the more easily breakable parts like the fingers. And since you'll be receiving a volks doll you might want to have something on hand to remove the hot glue, if you plan on changing her eyes (I believe you can soften it with a hairdryer?) at all.

I can't wait to see your photos! :D

[Tro-chan]

Take a deep breath and wait for your hands to stop shaking before you get the box cutter?
But congratulations on your first doll! Elaina is a lovely sculpt.

[Myriai]

Hmmm...it is my firm believe that there is no "wrong way" to do a box opening ^_^

It's funny my first few dolls got very careful box openings their arrivals painstakingly recorded in loving, OMG-squeeing detail, but lately all my new arrivals have been: "OMG they're here!" ::ATTACK::

[Kahli]

First I pet the box-- because they are usually delivered to the school (where I work). Then when no one is around, I take off the shipper but leave the box closed because I like to build the suspense. HA.
Slip off the lid--- peel back the blanket or packing and begin the "ooooh, aaaaah-ing". I don't take photos until he or she is dressed/wigged/eyes in- until he or she is "decent" :oops. Then he or she is "real" to me and I take photos (bad ones, because I am a terrible photographer).

vicki

[jerrysugarav]

I always try to take box opening photos but I'm too caught up in the rush. You may want to have somebody standing buy with a camera to take pics for you.

Usually when mine show up the first thing I do is inspect them all over checking out how they move and pose. Next I put in the eyes I want them to wear then their wig and clothes to see how they look. If they came blank, most of mine do, I paint them right away then the rest of the day is dressing and un-dressing them and lots of photos.

[sgtgeorgecarter]

LOL!

Only two of mine have box opening pix because they generally get ripped open either at my office or at the MBE where I have them sent. All the Mailboxes people love to see who's come in and what stuff has come in for them.

[DestroymyRemains]

By the time my boyfriend comes in with a camera, the box is completly torn apart and strewn all about the living room and Im cuddling the doll before he can take any pictures for me.. Though, I swear! I had intentions.. I just can never wait long enough for him to get the camera ready >_<' so I've never done one. .. but good luck to you indeed!

I think a parot would be a nice turn of events O_O

[cloverfirefly]

I like to do box opening pictures so I can look back and go "awww, remember when so-and-so was new?" But they're mainly for my benefit and I only post them on my blog. :sweat

[Kihaku]

Hmn.. I've never done a box opening story of my dolls :) Usually they are old old characters of mine, so the dolls are the vessels for the characters, so it kind of feels they've always been here, but they just got themselves a physical body X)

So the first thing I usually do when I get the doll is that I touch the resin. XD Yes, that sound weird but I like to compare the feel of the resin and the weight of the doll to the others that I have. Then I'll give them eyes and hair, and check a little. And before I take pictures, I just -need- to get faceup for him/her X) Then I'll take pictures :D (I might string him/her again if needed x) (some of them have been -really- floppy))

So, I can't show my little one until he/she has eyes, hair, faceup and clothes :D

[Janne]

I'm still laughing at Bel's answer. :D

I used to take arrival/box opening photos but now I only take them to record a face-up I plan to change or the details of an outfit if it looks like it might be trickly to reassemble. ^^;

I'm all about the play time now! They're out of the box and I'm dressing, re-wigging re-eyeing, or otherwise setting about making them mine and me theirs!

[mmsedated]

Hmm actually I'm expecting a doll in a few days' time. Thought the box opening galleries are eye candies, but don't feel that I'll actually take them. However after reading thru the thread it may be good for memories' sake... but I won't wanna post them anywhere. :) Then again, won't the camera get in the way? :sweat

Ah I can't wait :XD

[LadyCrow]

When my doll got here, I was on my way out the door as my post lady had just got back in her vehicle. It startled me at first then I squeeled with excitement. My hubby was right behind me and helped my shaking hands bring her in. He carefully cut the tape and let me do the rest. I ripped off the paper in no time I had her out of the box.No time for pictures or cerimony,just shear addrenaline. Zoom, she was out of the box,out of the wrapping,bubble wrap and all. To my clothing box I went,found just the right thing for her first day and put it on her.I had been sewing for about a month before she got here, so she had plenty to choose from.

[Nikittin]

I'm all about the play time now! They're out of the box and I'm dressing, re-wigging re-eyeing, or otherwise setting about making them mine and me theirs!

I love that answer! It applies to me as well. I think I stopped taking the box arrival photos after my fourth doll. I still get giddy when I see a box waiting for me at home though :nod

[LadyCrow]

I love that answer! It applies to me as well. I think I stopped taking the box arrival photos after my fourth doll. I still get giddy when I see a box waiting for me at home though :nod


I'm giddy when any package comes in the mail...lol

[manaswam]

Sometimes I get so excited opening a new box, that I am not as careful in inventorying all of the parts (like extra hands, clothing, etc.) Also, keeping all of the papers together with the doll or in the box is important, including price, shipping, selling company (or seller). I have found it is helpful to have access to all purchasing information as I am looking for clothes, replacement parts, altenatives, etc.

[Carolyn.S]

I've never photographed a box opening. I do like to have something comfy for my new girl to wear, including some panties if she didn't come with any, and I like to spend time with her. I like to sit her near me and change her pose occasionally and just hang out with her. As soon as I have good light, I like to dress her in something nice and get some photos.

Carolyn

[FunnyLori]

I have done a couple box openings, but usually I am too excited to get pictures!

I check the whole body over. Then I play!

[Carolyn.S]

Actually, on the practical side, you should look over the BJD and the contents of the box and make sure everything is present and looks correct.

Then play.

Carolyn

[demitasse]

Haha, the first doll I ever got was an unfinished kit. Thanks to putting that one together, my habit now is....

To take them apart. XD

Seriously, the moment that box is open, heads are coming off! My family and my roommate think I'm absolutely mad, but I can't help it!

(Off with their heads! :angry)

:p

[Taco]

I don't have a lot of box opening pics, because I don't always have access to a good camera. The ones of my Kid Delf Ani boy got lost when my roommate's hard drive crashed--it was too bad, I had the cutest pic of his little blue eyes peering out over the top of his pillow.

I do have lots of pics of Lorry's box opening, and I'm sure he'd wish that those got lost. Poor guy, naked, bald, and tangled up in various pieces of bubble wrap.

When I get a doll I need to have some kind of clothing to put on them, a wig, and eyes--and have the necessary faceup supplies on hand if I didn't get a default faceup.

[Raouken]

I love box opening pics :D But I'm usually too exited to photograph every step of the way ^^;; usually I take a few pics of the box and when I take the pillow off the doll, that's when the camera gets forgotten and I just hold them and pose them, try out wigs and eyes and everything..then I take some more pictures and have the doll sit next to me when I'm uploading&posting the pictures :3 My new dolls are usually welcomed by trying out the insane amount of clothing my other boys have, so I can find their style and what looks good on them, and then I make more clothing xD

I prefer the doll coming with some sort of face-up-even if it's eventually going to removed-just so he's 'ready to play' right out of the box, it makes it easier to bond. (though my first doll came without a face-up and I definetly had no problem bonding with him. But now I prefer dolls coming with a face, makes it easier to see who they are and if they are who I wanted them to be :3 It was ridicously easy to bond with Xem, because-even if correct eyes and wig weren't there yet-his face was exactly what I wanted for the character)

[Echo]

I actually didn't get box opening pics of my first doll-- she was a dream doll of mine and I was too excited and eager to open her up.

I really regret it though, box opening pics are a lot of fun ^_^ --not to mention being my first doll, I would've loved to have captured the memory. >_< Since then, I have opening pics for most of my other dolls-- only one other didn't get pictures, but I was in a hurry that day :p

It's always fun to see box opening pics and share the excitement with the new owner! :)

[sailorstarsun]

I always take box opening pics. .^^ Well, because I'm a freak and like to keep myself in suspense the whole time, so I tend to take a bunch of pictures while torturing myself.

With my first boy I took a bunch and posted them. With my second, I took a bunch and made a little story out of them and posted them. With my third I took a few, but never did anything with them; they're still sitting around on my hard drvie, unedited or resized or anything. .^^ With the fourth... who knows? (he's on his way) I'll probably take a bunch of pictures but never post them again. .^^

After they're out of the box I squee over them and play with them and poke at their joints and see what kind of posing they can do. Then I dress and wig them, and if I have a certain pair of eyes for them I put those in. .... Then I squee some more. Then take more pictures that will ultimately never get posted. .^^

Then my friend and I take the new kid out for a celebratory dinner. XD

That's the story.

[mclamm7]

First thing I do is grab scissors and a camera. After taking the appropriate box shots I open the box and inspect the doll for any damage. I then expiriment with wigs, eyes, and clothes until i get a feel for the personality then I create a photostory around this new arrival with the rest of my Dollfies and photography.

[Kearsy]

I take a few pics of the box opening, just to document how they are when they arrive mostly. I then check them over entirely to make sure they survived the trip ok. Then I give them the things I have gotten together for them, eyes, wig, clothes, all that jazz, then I just like to spend time with them, sometimes I will stick them with other members of the crew for a few pics just to see how they look together.

[EveningBreeze]

I usually have all the clothing, wigs and eyes next to me when I open the box.

Box opening pics? After my first doll, it just seems like torture to have to interrupt the de-boxing to take pics. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. It takes me only minutes to get my doll out and dressed. :XD

[captainkyo]

I used to always to box-opening photos.. they were very fun xD..

now ive just gotten used to dolls arriving lol.

My newest boy.. i just snapped a pic of his pretty box..
cuz it was reaaaally pretty =w= :heart
and then just took pics once he was all dressed. xD

Im not too sure if he wanted people to see his unisexed body xD.
"Whyyy do i have no unmentionables?! :angry "