Fairground Youth

"Fairground Youth" portrays teenagers at fun fairs, pausing amidst the chaos. The slow process of photographing allows their masks to drop, revealing the rawness and vulnerability of adolescence in a fast-paced world.

Fairground Youth portrays the youth at Dutch fun fairs. These fairs, which have evolved over centuries into vibrant social meeting places, represent a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Within this dynamic environment—mirroring the fast-paced digital world in which young people live—I observe how they navigate their surroundings and express themselves.

The youth I photograph take center stage; their posture, gaze, and presence reflect how they position themselves within their friend groups and present themselves to the outside world. The fairground, with its colorful and chaotic ambiance, serves as a contrasting backdrop to the stillness I aim to capture in my portraits.

For this project, I followed an entire fair season across the Netherlands, documenting the diversity and shared experiences within this distinctive youth culture. To create these portraits, I work with an analog medium format camera mounted on a tripod—a deliberate choice that slows down my process. This considered and attentive approach contrasts sharply with the fast, turbulent lives of teenagers.

I ask the young people to pause and focus with me, striving to capture the rawness and vulnerability of their adolescence. The result is a series of still, contemplative images set against the vibrant backdrop of the fair, offering an intimate and introspective perspective on youth.