Untitled (men helping bride get into car) 1957

Editor: This photograph by Ken Whitmire Associates shows two men helping a bride into a car. It's a very classic image, but the negative gives it a ghostly feel. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The image speaks to the performance of gender roles in marriage. The men’s assistance highlights the bride’s dependence, even vulnerability, at this pivotal moment. What narratives are subtly reinforced by this seemingly benign act of chivalry? Editor: That's a really interesting point about dependence, which I hadn't considered before. Curator: Exactly! This photo invites us to consider how seemingly straightforward photographs can subtly reinforce societal expectations around gender and power. Editor: I'll definitely look at these kinds of images differently from now on.