Jaydon is...

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project © Katharina Kemme - A view of Jaydon's old Neighborhood, the Lenzsiedlung in Hamburg. © Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2020 - 2021
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Daily Life, Social Issues
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My essay on Jaydon is a personal story about coming of age and an investigation on self-expression and identity development during teenage years.

Jaydon is 17, first a smoke, Leandra actually cares about Jaydon, Nicole doesn't answer the phone, Jaydon buys drinks, Vici will join later, Mum calls, no time, Jaydon worries, Lawrence celebrates his 16th birthday, friends with benefits, Nicole is pissed, Jaydon is heartbroken, Leandra too, Saphira has sex her first time, Jaydon writes songs, always on the road, Jaydon lets Leandra down, no contact, Jaydon turns 18, Leandra is late, Nicole and Jaydon make up, Carlo can drive now, Big-City-Life, Jaydon drops out of school, everyone is drunk, Jaydon goes home alone.

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In January 2020 I meet Jaydon in Hamburg. He is a passionate singer, writes his own lyrics, takes part in casting shows and hopes to become a famous musician one day. Since he had to move to another district on the outskirts of Hamburg with his two mothers and siblings, he is hardly at home anymore. Most of the time he hangs out with his friends in Eimsbüttel, his old neighbourhood, where he grew up and wants to stay forever.Jaydon is spontaneous, energetic and constantly needs people around himself. In his circle of friends he forms the connection, that holds everyone together. Besides that, he has always changing affairs with girls.

Over several months I accompany him and get to know his friends. Thereby I learn about Jaydon's different character traits. A few years ago, Jaydon suffered from depression and a strong fear of loss. A therapy and the support of his friends helped him get back on his feet. In the group he stages himself, dances, sings and becomes the center of the happening. But in our conversations in twos he is often emotional and thoughtful, reveals his fears and hopes. About one year after we met, he suddenly drops out of school and moves out of his parents house.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Jaydon (17) is the oldest of his two siblings. His mother Emmy had him when she was 18. His father has not played a big role in his life for a long time. Emmy raised Jaydon with her wife Aurora. Memories come flooding back when he wanders through his old neighbourhood in Eimsbüttel. His two younger siblings live with ADHD and autism. They need a lot of attention. When the family still lived in cramped quarters in the high-rise housing estate, it was often not possible to create free space for themselves.

© Katharina Kemme - A view of Jaydon's old Neighborhood, the Lenzsiedlung in Hamburg.
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A view of Jaydon's old Neighborhood, the Lenzsiedlung in Hamburg.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Leandra (17) is among Jaydon´s best girlfriends. They also have an affair with each other. Jaydon generally does not want to get involved in a firm relationship.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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While Jaydon talks to his friend Leandra on the phone, he enjoys the view from his former home in the Lenzssiedlung. He is rarely alone and in constant communication with his friends. 

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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A fixed meeting point in Eimsbüttel is the ping pong table. Here Jaydon (middle) spends a lot of time with his friends Saphira, Bjarne, and Leandra. Almost everything in his life revolves around them.

© Katharina Kemme - Jaydon has invited a few friends to his grandma's guest room. His mate Lawrence (right) turned 16 years old today.
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Jaydon has invited a few friends to his grandma's guest room. His mate Lawrence (right) turned 16 years old today.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Since he had to move to Pinneberg on the outskirts of Hamburg with his two mothers and two younger siblings, he has settled into his grandmother's guest room to be closer to his friends in his old neighborhood. His grandmother lives alone and is happy when Jaydon stays with her from time to time.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Leandra is lying on her couch in the new flat. She is sad because Jaydon didn't want her with him when he goes out with his buddy.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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His friend Carlo can't hold a candle to Jaydon in basketball. When the two of them have a game together, Leandra and the other girls are out of place.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Leandra and Jaydon are posing for a portrait down in an underground station. She is wearing Jaydons sweater. He gave it to her because she was cold. When they hang out they argue a lot. Sometimes it takes several weeks until they get along again.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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As a joke, Jaydon paints a fake beard on his face with Leandra's make-up. Since she has her own flat, he spends a lot of time there.

© Katharina Kemme - In the meantime, Jaydon has moved out of home completely and has made his grandma's guest room into his own.
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In the meantime, Jaydon has moved out of home completely and has made his grandma's guest room into his own.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Jaydon has now turned 18. He could only celebrate his birthday in a small circle because of corona. It was supposed to be a huge party. The pandemic has also affected him. He dropped out of school a year before graduation. Although he liked going to school, he couldn't cope with the online classes. Now he works as a pizza delivery boy twice a week.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Nicole (17) and Victoria (16) throw some currants into each other's mouths. Jaydon's family owns a Schreber garden on the outskirts of Hamburg. This is where the friends sometimes escape from the big city to party together.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Jaydon is passionate about making music and playing the guitar. He receives a lot of support and recognition from his friends. He started singing in the choir at the age of six. Now he covers a lot of pop songs and writes his own lyrics. Last year he took part in a singing competition called "Secret Star" and won a live performance. In the meantime, he has released his first song on Spotify.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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When Jaydon has been drinking, he becomes emotional and thoughtful. He used to suffer from depression and a strong fear of loss. With therapy and the support of his friends, he got back on his feet.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Leandra and Jaydon have just returned from furniture shopping. Leandra now has her own flat, which she moved into a few days ago.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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When no one has time, or Jaydon wants to distract himself from the monotony of everyday life, Jaydon plays GTA for several hours. The game takes him to another world where there are no limits and rules.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Due to the corona pandemic, hamburg is under curfew at the moment. Jaydon's new little home is clearly visible from the outside.

© Katharina Kemme - Image from the Jaydon is... photography project
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Chiara (17) and Leandra (17) support the drunken Jaydon on his way back from the allotment garden to the bus stop. The path is barely lit and the kids are frightened by every car that passes.