Trivialising the oppression of women is not a “blessed” thing to do, nor does it make a good wedding photo.
This week a married couple came under fire for a wedding photo in which they were kissing in front of The Handmaid’s Tale wall in Cambridge, Ontario.
In the photo, the newlyweds are seen puckering up between four Photoshopped handmaids dressed in their signature red cloaks and white hats. ‘The Wall’ they’re posing in front of is where men and women are executed and hanged after disobeying laws in the show.
Van Daele & Russell Photography posted the photo to socials with the caption, “Praise be! Kendra & Torsten are married! If there’s any The Handmaid’s Tale’ fans out there, you’ll know most of it is filmed in Cambridge! So, as fans of the show, it only seemed fitting for there to be some Handmaids in K&T’s wedding photos along the ‘hanging wall’ in Mill Race Park!”
The since-deleted photo was quick to cop criticism on social media, with users calling it “deeply disturbing” and “puke-worthy” for taking a show about a very serious issue and completely missing the point.
The photographers have since responded to the backlash, writing on social media, “what’s sad is that everyone is reacting exactly as expected – just like in Gilead – and missing the opportunity to think for themselves, to educate themselves, to become engaged activists instead of simply keyboard warriors.”
“…You’re all correct – it’s gross, disgusting, and a horrible concept that is rampantly becoming more “real’ in the world day by day and comment by comment.”
“So many comments here are just “this is gross” – but no explanation why,” the photographers added. “WHY exactly are you offended? Do you know? Have you asked yourself? And…what are you actively doing about it IN THE REAL WORLD?”
When Vulture asked the photographers about the image, they said it was the groom’s idea to Photoshop the handmaids into the picture. “We discussed options but figured walking handmaids were a better alternative to hanging bodies.” Yikes.
A show about violence against women (and mankind in general) is never going to be a good theme for your wedding photos and it’s also far from the kind of social commentary that will encourage positive change.