As a young woman, I remember staring at glossy magazines. Growing up in rural Belgium, I idolized the women in these magazines, the way they looked and how they carried themselves. I pasted their images on my wall and dreamed of living in the United States, far from the Northern Belgian countryside. I looked at these pictures every day, the ideals of beauty reflecting back at generations of young women. They served as a mirror for each of us, prompting constant self-evaluation. Our bodies change, quietly marking the passage of time. This metamorphosis, both inevitable and emotionally charged, becomes a shared experience for generations of young women.
In 2018, I began photographing girls and young women in the United States, aged six to eighteen, a pivotal period suspended between childhood and adulthood. The project spans over 28 different states and includes hundreds of portraits. It revisits the concept of portraiture, exploring echoes of adolescent curiosity, weaving together the past and present, and celebrating the journey of self-discovery. A loose strand of hair, an unbuttoned collar, an awkward gesture, these portraits capture moments without pretense, embracing uncertainty, imperfection, and contradiction. They reveal expressions that are both vulnerable and bold, capturing the complexity of growing up. In their gazes, we find echoes of our own experiences and a sense of hope for what lies ahead. (2018 – Ongoing)
More soon.
