"Smile!", Your On Camera.

photography and I have a mutual hatred for each other that withstanding I do have a great admiration and affinity for our youth, and not in a MichaelJacksonNeverlandRanchMySpaceDatelineCatchAPredator sort of way. After viewing Lauren Greenfield's picture and reading all of the quotes pertaining to the pictures. It didnt sit well with me that the majority of images within the media and our own initmate pictures do not depict teens in the best light. With this project Im attempting to convey the contrary. I have taken photos from students from elementary school Pleasant View Elementary and Gilbert and Brigham Middle schools. Ive also had the opportunity to have a video documentation of some of their views and perspectives which focuses mainly clothes, music, pop culture, friends and academics. The majority of the participants are in middle school a prime age in which puberty is initiated the physical psychological and emotional changes withstanding how do youth cop with this metamorphesis how do they go about their day to day lives transitioning from a period which many had little to no responsibility to having to cope with the impending future. how does middle school differ from elementary school. what are their thoughts and fear about entering high school how will the social hiearchy be restructured will the friend they have now still remain will they segregate themselves to various social cliques. what are some of the outside pressure they deal with ? family, economic and financial situations, urban community, hope and aspirations for their own future goals and achievements they are secretly striving for. and finally the negative aspects of being the age they are and what benefits and consequences will they have once they've "arrived" able to drive drink.. reached certain benchmarks most adolescents strive for.