A pair of hands playing a wooden piano with white and black keys, one hand on the keys and the other hand touching the keys, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt.
Handwritten notes on a piece of notebook paper discussing Clique experiences at school, their impact on friendships and self-confidence, and finding a sense of belonging, with a blue butterfly sticker at the bottom right corner.
Two young women in school uniforms sitting on stairs in a school hallway. The woman on the left has long red hair, glasses on her head, and is resting her chin on her hand. The woman on the right has long blonde hair and is sitting on the stairs with
A white backpack resting on the ground next to a purple outdoor table and a white plastic chair in a garden at night, with leaves and a fence in the background.
A handwritten note on lined paper with a blue butterfly sticker at the bottom left corner. The note discusses the effects of social media on peer relationships and self-perception in secondary school.
Person drawing a heart on the back of another person's hand with a blue pen, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt.
A collection of textbooks, notebooks, and papers stacked on a shelf, including a 'Digital Photography Complete Course' book, a notebook, and various study guides for GCSE and foundation level exams.
People washing their hands at a communal sink in a restroom, with one person facing away and two others visible in the mirror.
Handwritten notes on a piece of paper discussing bullying and peer pressure, with a blue butterfly sticker at the bottom.
A person with long blond hair looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression, flanked by two masks with exaggerated facial expressions, all under blue lighting.
A torn piece of lined notebook paper with a blue butterfly sticker in the upper left corner. Handwritten text discusses social media, outside pressures, self-perception, and anxiety.
Rows of dried fish strung on bamboo and wire racks outdoors.
A woman with long blond hair wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and gray pants, standing indoors with her face covered by her hand.
A white paper lantern hanging from a door handle by a string, with a blue painted door and wall in the background.
Handwritten notes on lined paper with a blue butterfly sticker in the upper right corner. The notes discuss the impact of secondary school and social groups on mental health.
A collection of handwritten notes and diagrams related to photography, including explanations of exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and examples of camera settings. There are also printed instructional pages amid the handwritten notes.
Handwritten note on paper with a blue butterfly sticker on the lower left corner.
A woman with red hair and glasses sitting on a toilet in a bathroom, with her hands on her cheeks and kneeling with her feet flat on the ground.
A handwritten note on a wall saying "because was here" with a red heart drawn next to it.

A Study in girlhood

‘A Study in Girlhood’ explores the complex and often conflicting experiences that young girls face during adolescence, examining them from a closer perspective. The project combines my own homeschooling journey with staged depictions of school life, highlighting themes of identity, peer influence, and mental well-being among youth.

Drawing from my experience of being homeschooled between the ages of 11 and 16, I contrast the quiet solitude of home with the dynamic, often chaotic nature of traditional schooling. The staged photographs recreate typical school scenarios, while my self-portraits reflect moments of solitude, showing my own adolescent experience. This contrast invites viewers to reflect on the hidden, yet influential stages of adolescence.

The project also incorporates candid insights from teenagers who responded to my online survey on peer pressure, mental health, and self-image. Weaving their voices into the project creates a bridge between our personal and collective experiences.

Through this work, I aim to shed light on the psychological toll these pressures take on young people, sparking conversations about how societal systems shape their development. “A Study in Girlhood” invites you to consider how we can better support and empower the future generations.