Domestic Bliss: Mother Of Two Takes Darkly Humorous Family Photos
Susan Copich, actress and a mother of two from New York, has taken a dark humor approach towards traditional family photos with a series of daring images entitled “Domestic Bliss.”
Copich spent years taking family portraits, but when she reached her mid-forties, she realized that she was missing from almost every photo. That’s when she decided to take things into her own hands, creating photo ideas that would reflect all of her feelings – even the ambiguous or negative ones.
“If you’ve met me, I have a very seemingly sunny disposition, but I have a whole interior world where at different times I’ve felt depression and angst. For many years, I put it in a little ball, and I decided to just explore it this time. It’s been so fun to bring those feelings into photoshoot ideas and give them light,” she says. Each of these darkly funny photos has what Susan calls a ‘twist of darkness’ that challenges the ordinary perception of happiness of the family members.
More info: susancopich.com | Facebook (h/t: petapixel)
Witching Hour
Copyright Susan Copich
Toy
Copyright Susan Copich
Sugar Rush
Copyright Susan Copich
Baggage
Copyright Susan Copich
Mommy Time
Copyright Susan Copich
Bath Time
Copyright Susan Copich
Spare The Rod
Copyright Susan Copich
Old Habits
Copyright Susan Copich
Let Go
Copyright Susan Copich
Anger Management
Copyright Susan Copich
Spilt Milk
Copyright Susan Copich
Happy Days
Copyright Susan Copich
I like how the dad is this mysterious entity (with face never shown)...
I like how the dad has seriously scorching hot abs
Totally distracted everyone from the fact that the one little girl has a gun pointed at the other one... (Go look again, I'll wait....)
I think that was just the pool boy.
Timothy Urban... You are right!!! it completely distracted me, I had to double check you were being serious LOL
That is definitely NOT the dad. I love how mother and girl are both playing with "loaded guns" ;)
Mommy Time also has a hidden gem in the background. While the mom is being groped and making tomato soup. The daughter is eating Cambpell's.
Wat about the noose in happy days.. Did anyone see that??
Enough about the gun, am I the only one who noticed the coke setup in the Christmas pic?
He's a dangerous toy hence the kids and the gun. They're all playing with fire.
Actually no, the dad has chubby old man fingers, the pool boy does not, therefore, dad does not have abs.
It's the same man, look at the hands. And in no pic is he wearing a ring.
Wow, Timothy Urban. I missed that too!
@TimothyUrban haha!! Spot on! I had to go back and check. I was def too distracted by the abs
RogerWayne It's the same guy in all the pics, he's a nail biter. also he's in the Sugar rush pic in the mirror.
Wow, I missed the gun. Also missed the noose in happy days. Crazyiness.
That's not dad that's the side toy.
I bet that was her son
Child molestation. Getting you the mood for it, right???
its called "toys" ... its a poolboy for mom and gun for kid
nice abs but where is his face
I had to go back and look ... totally correct, didn't even SEE the gun.
I don't think the hot abs are the dad's !!! :)
@TimothyUrban as I was scrolling back up I was thinking "I swear to god this guy better not be trolling me." and you were not. 10 internets.
I bet that was her son
You're right. Completely missed it.
@TimothyUban: until you mention that, I didn't notice it :))
Actually no... that's not the dad, the dad has chubby old man fingers. the pool boy does not.
Guys relax that is not the dad.
Relax that is not the dad.
The dad is the average body man in the suit, the hottie is a model.
That was definitely NOT the dad. The title "TOY," with the mother and little girl both holding a "loaded gun" is brilliant!
Dad ? Hubby >>> nooo that is the Toy boy the Hubby off bonking the Au Pair
OR.......IS IT THE DAD'S BOYFRIEND?
maybe there are more than one...
Whooo,lol x
I'm posting only after reading all 400 or so appraisals ranging from wonderful to horrible. This was SO imaginative! I loved it! I'm 83 male
of course we saw the gun, Timothy, that was the point of the pic... the heading was toys..... it is extremely satirical... and brilliant!
I just finished reading ALL 400 or so appraisals from wonderful to criminal! I really enjoyed these pics and attitude! Loved it! I'm 83 male
Ugh! I wouldn't show my face either. Self-indulgent garbage.
You must be a blast at parties, Jer.
Pretty sure it's not their dad.
the dad is hot . i can just tell
HA! Hon, he isn't the Dad! That's a big part of the joke. He's a new addition, and not really part of the unit at all.
The dad is the average body man in the suit, the hottie is a model.
Or it's NOT "the dad" which is sort of the point! "The Toy" double entendre...toy gun or toy boy ???
In the photo of her in the pool she's wearing a ring. Commitment issues? Both her and her daughter are playing with "guns" once fired= fatal
the mystery is what the viewer puts in. actually, he's only absent :)
I don't think that was the Dad....;-)
TimothyUrban haven't u noticed photoshop everywhere! just dark humor ! :) : p
That's not dad. Hence the name of the photo.
That's not dad. Hence the name of the photo.
Maybe He was Just The Milk man.. That's Whom My mommy said my daddy wss...;p
The milk man... hmm... How does that tie into the crying over spilled milk?
I like how everyone thinks that's the dad.
Do you think that is the Dad? or that the photo is about fantasy and that is someone else?
there is no dad
there is no dad
I interpret this as satire, poking fun at the moms who take sexy selfies and etc. while being oblivious to their children in the background.
It almost looks like it's defending those moms as they have lives and thoughts of their own outside of their children.
> [..] to live for them not for yourself anymore. Absurd. Mom is still like that. Except her youngest son is 40. Needs balance.
"Don't make kids until you're ready to live for them not for yourself anymore." I really hope this isn't a serious statement. Yikes.
Don't make kids until you're ready to live for them not for yourself anymore.
Amazing perspective. I so see that now
Incredibly stupid...that's you! :-D
think that's dead on
I see your view x
Very clever and fun, except the dog one. Don't like the dog one. Because cute dog. However, it does capture brilliantly the mood.
Electrocuting the kids in the tub is alright, just don't hurt the cute dog.
She is also electrocuting herself, which will prevent her from killing the dog, so yes, I guess it's alright.
@NoahMacGillivray Fucking human Lovers
Considering there is a no-fault protection switch on the hair dryer... don't think it's going to work.
@victorialaschinski, there is a mythbusters episode about that. Don't remember the outcome. Check it out.
Wow, you really are a stupid, motherfucking bastard, aren't you???
Who cares, this is fiction ya over-zealous animal murderer-wannabe's. Andrija is funny not rude. Or sardonic, either fine by me
I doubt the reality of actually electrocuting anyone with a tub and hairdryer...
A life is a life, regardless of whom it belongs to. However, the point was to shock the viewer, and it was a success.
Amazing response.
@VictoriaLaschinski: it has happened. It's how Miss Poland 1984 died.
Андрија, у праву си.
Andrija, why so rude?
kids are less cute i dont feel any strong emotions connected to them
ahahahahaha
pretty much
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Ugly dog, get rid of it!!
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Fucking animal lovers -_-
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Killing a literally never ending cavalcade of dogs in a series of horrific ways is infinitely preferable to the murder of a single child.
Agreed, there are a couple, including the dog one that make me panicky a bit, very strong pictures.
Yes, that was my point. You don't have to like looking at something to appreciate the accomplishment.
It is brill as it evokes strong emotions, she is doing a good job in that respect,lol x
Its a joke..no dog was harmed in the making. Don't stress out so much
If only I could control that. But I can't. I don't think people really read my whole comment.
Why are prople being assholes about this? I was being honest and lighthearted. Even tried a bit of humor in how I wrote it.
AndrewWerling, I think (most) people are being sarcastically humorous in agreement with you. Don't worry about 1 or 2 that don't get it.
Yeah, hard not to be a somewhat grouchy-sarcastic mood after those photos. It brings out our own honest darkness.
I completely agree.
The point of art is to evoke emotion. These pics obviously do on many levels....well done.
and a child pointing a gun at the other kid is fine--as long as the dog is ok
Another person who didn't understand my post. God, the internet sucks.
Andrew, don't take it so hard. Nobody EVER understands anything the way it is meant. Just try to understand yourself and let others be blind
What do I think? I think these are fantastic and we need to confront the romanticized stereotypes of marriage and family more often.
Yeh because the divorce rates don't adequaltely reflect it ... *rolls eyes*
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/d/divorce.htm#.VHwAWd6IZhA Interesting article.
Typical family situations and the Mother's face and eyes show the emotions that she is experiencing. I can relate to these and love her work
agreed
I agree I have 4 children and I can relate to every picture!!!!
Definitely dark.
Fantastic made pictures. I am excited with the movement and anticipation in all of them.
Тачно, Стево, мама је права умјетница!!!!
fantastic! i'm also a mother of two & can absolutely follow these feelings. great job! i bet it's been a great therapy & fun for all 4 of u
Far more interesting than the always perfect Pinterest moms with perfect pictures and perfect scrapbooks and perfect hair and perfect cloth.
These are hilarious and fantastic.
PLEASE! ATENTION! All Unitedstatians! Take your ADHD medicine and calm down. These are pictures not real life. The kids are not in danger.
You can say "Americans" - I mean "Unitedstatians"? Really!!! The phots evoke emotions and in AMERICA we have what's called freedom of Speech
Actually the Americas are many countries, so do you live in Chile? Argentina? Or somewhere in the United States?
controversial, shocking, and pushing the limits of artistic integrity ... but I like them!
wow! nice idea and i like the sexy mom!!!!!
Absolutely brilliant!!! Clever clever lady, so much to read into each photo, so wonderful!!
I love the fact that she can express her feelings through her art form. I am sure there are many women out there who can agree!
Brilliant! Let's stop being afraid of the benevolent dark in us and shed some light on being human; lest we let it turn malevolent.
they definitely stir emotions- great concept, and disturbingly beautiful
What we all really think deep down...there are no illusions here♡
Love dark comedy. Light, heavy & fun. Brilliant work.
I'd like to know how the mirror between the windows in "Sugar Rush" was done. If only people could see what we are thinking sometimes......
It's probably from a second photo and then 'comp'ed into the image in Photoshop - or another editor - afterwards.
I think you are correct Sarah Stone Stenhoff
The man is standing out of shot on the other side of the chandelier, probably on a step or chair.
thanks Maureen Daniels - I still can't figure out how it was made to look as if he was standing in front of the window with grass visible
BRAVO! <3
AWESOME! love the dark humor!
Badass, love :)
Failed model desperately seeking notoriety....
What a whore this woman is.
She's a whore.
Very well executed series of images... Sally Mann with a modern twist.
I can totally see the art concept behind them, but her kids are going to need therapy! Some of this is insanely inappropriate.
She lives in Brooklyn, right?
She was just DRYING the mat not electrocuting the kids lol
Is he rlly the dad. Or just a toyyyyyy
The father is left out probably because the photos are a result to a husband not involved?
Love them and think many could relate. She has artistically captured the mood.
Wow!
I love them! these are great.
She has my vote
I think it's an amazing representation of what most mothers feel at times but are too afraid to speak about them. Brilliant project!
It's a humorous view of our dark side as moms. I know I've wanted to ring the dogs neck on more then one occasion. Wine is my best friend
The raw but strong message behind these photos is brilliant, it's the terrifying truth that no one has dear published or made public before
Brilliant!
Love em.
Absolutely loving it....such an art.
Awesome
really cool work!!!
So, I'm looking and going "ew, no!" Then I realize it's b/c it's a bit TOO real for me... like, too familiar a feeling...
Wow. Fantastic art.
Brilliant !
Can't decide whether it's clever satire, or just trying a little too hard.....
Awesome!! +_+
Great artist. Love the series!!
What a fucking whore Susan Copich is.
The "Witching Hour" little girl sipping on the wine bottle-- "s m h"
The dog and electrocuting the kids was pushing the envelope a bit but still funny and true......
The dog and electrocuting the kids was pushing the envelope a bit. Still funny and a bit true.
She has a squeezo! That is the second one I have ever seen other than mine! (which use to be my parents)
I think it was very raw and real. We live in such a cynical, politically correct world. It me want to scream.
Perfect brilliance. The father notices nothing. She captured The Witching Hour with stunning perfection. I need a damn calendar.
What's not to love. She captured the Witching Hour with stunning accuracy. I need a damn calendar.
White people are crazy
This brings back such warm memories of my childhood....
i think the over-posed nature and copy-paste blank stare of the mother is irritating and doesn't add to the effectiveness of the image.
Twisted...a lot of laughs
Homework time ... so many times, been there, done that .... :-(
Bloody funny!
Bloody funny!
Mommy needs to take her meds. It's not that bad, really! Most women do it quite joyfully. Depression turns simple routines into mountains.
Picture with Mom crushing tomatoes - there's a photo on the wall above the daughter, check out what it is ;-)
I love them!
There is no dad, he walked out in 'baggage'
In 'baggage' the 'dad' is walking out, so there is no dad
Spare the rod picture is hung up in mommy time picture by the girl eating Campbell's soup
Funny, witty, just really amazing work!
Good idea, terrible execution.
"Happy days" is so much true!
I like the satire of them, and the different emotions that are obviously conveyed. I feel in a couple of the pics mum Could've been happier.
most of them are crazy l like it! :) some of them just have no sense ...
These are awsome! I can see a lot of my girlfriend in these images! LoL
Shock value bores me.
excelente!
Absolutely love them!!!!
OMG I LOVE THESE!
I love it!!! So creative.
Love it!! So creative.
Honestly I think it is trashy ! Will children be proud of Mom when they grow up like that ? No, thanks ! My Mom doesn't raise me to be a slu
Love it!
This is awesome!
Love it. Great photos. She represents everything we feel as parents.
Surprisingly disturbing!
Brilliant!
I love
(y)
I dont see how pretending to break the dogs neck is even remotely funny. Too much time on her hands.
I think these are sick and disgusting! Looks like someone needs therapy and so will her kids!!
i love them
I never enjoy seeing children used in this kind of humor. I find it sad. I get her point though, and these pics are well thought out.
I love these photos. Deficiently depicts this life of hers and once upon a time my own.
These pictures depict this life. I love it.
Great photography! Love this kind of dark humor.
What a sick bitch
Sick bitch but I think I like her
I can totally relate to most of these. I've been putting on my happy face for most of my life.
The whole thing is brilliant. Good on you for actually getting everyone to stand so still. Fucking awesome.
I think there may be some truth in these photos. :-)
I think there may be some truth in the photos. Lol.
Wonder what sort of scenes the kids would like to set up?................. Time is on their side, unless mum has other ideas...........x
Brilliant...
Delightful… move to Authentic… well done Susan!
F'ing Brilliant, Dark, Hilarious, Thought-Provoking.... Job Well Done... ;-)
F'ing brilliant, dark, hilarious and thought-provoking!
The picture on the wall in mommy time it the spare the rod photo.
The picture on the wall in mommy time is spare the rod photo.
Fantastic images! She has a talent.
I loved it! *smiles* lol
Sometimes she nails it. Others are just too formulaic. Success lies in subtlety.
awesome!
Existence moves in mysterious ways.
LOVE
Timothy I saw guns an coke ....lol! But the six PAC held my gaze the longest looooool
The real truth behind every step-ford wife,,,,,,drugs drink an toy boys,,, lol but saw my life in someone else pictures! I now need a drink
My life in pictures,,,only a real women can relate to the struggle of being the 'perfect' mum wife lover cleaner friend! Shit I need a drink
pretty much garbage.
dark humour?...this is fatal irony...crying over spilt milk...in happy days, she is the servant..dreams to nightmares. welcome to motherhood
THE HAIR DRYER in BATH TIME made my day :-)))
Did you spot the mirror in Sugar rush :P
Brilliant!
Certainly thought provoking, especially nice mise en scene.
Wonderful photos! I especially liked Bathtime and Witching Hour. Genuis.
Is there any hypocrisy in the contrast between her willing embrace of her obvious affluence and her derisive attitude toward that affluence?
great work! keep it coming...
I liked them, they're artistic and well thought out with a sense of humor to them. :)
Very artistic, humorous as well! :))
Love this lol, totally didn't notice the gun haha My favs would have to be witching hour, toy and Happy days
The drugs in old habits! Rolled up money for snorting
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND!!! FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE I GOT IT! I REALLY GOT IT!! AND YES.... yes, I got it. I'm not the only one....
Zhostko! Zachot! I mamaska nichego eshcho :-D
Nice!
Disturbingly creative! Great photos!
I laughed all through each pic. She has a BLACK sense of humour... Wonderful!
I love that she's holdinga hairdryer in bath time
Looks like a cynical, too cool to be real and the damage is not unmentionable but deadly serious....hope the kids belong to somebody else.
Very funny! Of course the man is her husband that's the point isn't it, the silightly absent man, coming and going? Great work.
amazing beautiful work i felt every picture in my hart
Oh we have all been there mentally whats the issue. Most likely a very mentally balance family... move on!!! love you work girl :)
SHE IS FANTASTIC!!!
AweSome
I think they're a scream.
This woman has a protean face... killer sense of humor -- I'm a fan!
Anyone else notice "Spare the Rod" on the wall in the background in "Mommy Time" ??
Love all of them. It just speaks what most people would like to say or so but they don't. Bravo!
I want to be her best friend!
lol hysterical
Awesome.
Awesome funny =)
Not the least bit "humorous." Dark, but not humorous.
These damned awesome photos!!! I love her sense of humor and honesty!!
I think the bath scene is beyond wonderful and into seriously disturbed. The noose at the breakfast table is normal angst, comparatively
Hilarious and so different. I love it :)
Susan you are so brave to shate this with others. My story could be different, but still I also have one as everyone. Photos are gorgeous.
Great
Uma mulher ridícula e sem criatividade. Já indicaram um psiquiatra para ela?
I like them, yes, they are dark, but I definitly like them, congratulations on expressing so much in just one picture
she looks a lot like Chelsea Handler
awesome
I felt bath time was in poor taste. Too close
I think she could be Betty Bowers (america's best christian) sister!
this is funny but if she twisted the dog's neck and killed it out of anger then I am sorry about that.
wish I had a pool boy.....
brilliant
Wow. Looks like honesty :)
original
original
Immensely truly dark and understandable, recognizable. I'm there too.
Immensely truly dark. But recognizable.
You had me at pool boy.
I just wanted to ask why the dad can not have abs? I thought that the woman in the family carries the babies for 9 months, not the dad :D
Who gives a crap about Dad?! These photos ROCK! I'm sure they are being FB messaged/ emailed from Mom to Mom by the thousands right now! TY!
Just Wow! This is art photography at its finest! Really makes the viewer think!
You have any feeling you want, they are yours. Don't involve your children in scenes like these. If you feel like this they already know.
I have 5 girls, I believe this is a great idea, maybe not the guns, but atleast she's being honest and showing how she feels!
I absolutely love thus idea, as a mother of 5 beautiful girls ages 25, 15, 10 and 2 year old twins I'm absolutely going to do this!
Soccer Mom with nothing better to do? Maybe your children should be the focus of a photo series instead of yourself next time.
Soooo agle
truelife in a good synthesis
Très décalé. J'adore :-)
good synthesis of domestic situations. Very interesting
like
Stupid and daddy dear bites his fingernails.. an ugly habit. Mr. Abs doesn't.
Stupid IMHO. That's all.
Brilliant