Most of us have childhood memories of assuming strange postures and smiling fakely while questionably fashioned, all for the benefit of appearing content, attractive, and harmonious in a family photograph. Nora Herting became so fascinated by the social phenomenon of these awkward and ubiquitous family portraits, that she went undercover as a trade photographer at JcPenny portrait studio. For this project she transforms the portrait studio into an architectural space, and the act of making the portrait into a social sculpture. Once again she will assume her roll as a commercial trade photographer. This time she will pose and photograph bystanders who become performers by being cast in new, fictive families for her lens. Their imaginary relationships will be immortalized in these family portraits, as they also become participants in the performance.