November 22, 2011

Laura Pannack: Young Loves

‘Last year, the UK counted more student photographers than professional photographers. Among this sea of hopeful artists some succeed in making a name for themselves, bringing hope that professional photography can still be pursued as a career. Laura Pannack is one of them’ (New York Photo Festival). Here she talks us through her photography projects that are inspired by British teenagers.

The Untitled

Shut out from the teenage world the majority of us struggle to comprehend the behavior of some adolescents. Through a lack of understanding, which breeds fear, we tend to stereotype young people. However, these judgments are fuel for rebellion, intensifying the search for attention, identity and belonging.

Mike

Alice

David

Holly

Gemma

David

Jordan

Young Love

I think we often have quite a pessimistic notion of young relationships and forget that sometimes the simplicity of young love can form very strong relationships. Our ‘first love’ is a relationship we never forget and can act as template for future behaviour and expectations in the future. A relationship free of worry, responsibility, experience and future plans can ultimately lead to one of fun and intimacy.

Finn and Neeve

Shay and Sophie

Ben and Katie

Dan and Lucy

Timmy and Casey

Tash and James

YBN

Young British Naturists (YBN) is a group for UK naturists aged between 16 to 30. When I came across YBN about a year ago, I was fascinated with understanding reasons why these young people wanted to belong to a group exposing such human vulnerability. I wanted to know why they felt the need to be naked or be part of a group where this was not only acceptable but also encouraged. I soon realized that naturism is more than just about being naked, it is a philosophy of life with physical, psychological, environmental, social and moral beliefs. Some would classify naturism as a religion.

As one YBN member explains:

“I was drawn in by the great equalising aspect of naturism. It is an interesting question how far people would retain their respective rank if they were divested of their clothes. When all other things are held equal, when nude, a rich person appears no different than a poor person, or a really fashionable person appears no different to someone who has to make do with the clothing they have. Thus, these classifications disappear and the playing field is levelled. In the naturist environment, I feel like I’m their equal – I’m not better than them, nor they are better than me, we are just human. By removing clothing I feel a barrier between people is gone and I’m more able to meet and to talk to others without the feeling that I or they have something to hide.”

Jon

Jordan

Andre

Read and see more of Laura’s work here and here.