Fallen Princesses

Interestingly, Goldstein didn’t read fairy tales as a kid. After she became a mom, she realized what an impact they have on young children.

By Dina Goldstein

“In all of the images, the princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict,” she says on her Web site. “The ‘… happily ever after’ is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues.”

By Dina Goldstein

In this photograph, Snow White’s Prince Charming is more interested in what’s on TV than helping his tired-looking wife with the kids. It was a runner up for the 2009 American Photo’s Images of the Year.

By Dina Goldstein

It’s hard to tell what life has in store for Cinderella in this picture … but just wait until you see the next one.

By Dina Goldstein

Here, this princess has fallen out of her fairy tale and into a Vancouver dive bar located in an “infamous” part of town, according to Goldstein’s Web site.

By Dina Goldstein

Goldstein’s version of Jasmine isn’t waiting around for Aladdin to free her from hardship. She’s geared up for battle and still manages to look pretty fierce.

By Dina Goldstein

Goldstein wanted to use the princesses to demonstrate the kind of problems people around her were experiencing. In her stories, the day isn’t always saved.

By Dina Goldstein

One big problem Goldstein has with Disney films is that there’s always a happy ending, which sets up unrealistic expectations for kids. Sometimes life just doesn’t afford us such luxuries.

By Dina Goldstein

It’s hard to imagine this princess will notice the tiny pea underneath the mattress when there’s a giant landfill surrounding her.

By Dina Goldstein

“The Disney versions almost always have sad beginnings, with an overbearing female villain, and the end is predictably a happy one. The prince usually saves the day and makes the victimized young beauty into a princess,” she explains.

By Dina Goldstein