debbie naylor

This is an ongoing series of collaborative portraits that focus on young adolescents between the ages of 13 -15yrs old. The series came about from the realisation of changing social attitudes and confidence within my own young daughter. Highly influenced by peers and friendship groups, it is during this period of time that identities are not only constructed but also challenged and confidence is gained that influence style, personality and voice. Growing up within a ‘selfie’ culture these young adolescents are uncommonly at ease in front of the camera. However, using a collaborative process to photograph them from both the front and back, the work aims to challenge portraits from the traditional sense in order to reveal their youth, naivety and inexperience that they so often strive to hide through the commonality of their elucidatory posture, style and demeanour.