I Make No Apologies

The photos with the black background in this series represent the versions of the self that you construct for the world. Hearing what the world wants you to be, teens can inadvertently or intentionally construct a persona of themselves so they can hide behind it. The dark side represents a scheme generated by society. After years of seeing what you are expected to be through media representations, you hide your real self and create a new one that suits these expectations. You no longer have to agonize over disfavor because you’ve designed yourself to be liked by everyone.
This is why I created side by side photos depicting a dark and a light side. The light side is the side that shows who you really are. The side you only let yourself see. The side that is your kryptonite, your vulnerability. That side of you, you fear others will runaway from and never return. Over the years, society has prompted me to hate myself. I couldn’t stand knowing this so I decided it was time to say goodbye to those expectations and embrace being my true self. I was liberated and I wanted everyone around me to let go of their masks and show their kryptonite. I want everyone to know that they don’t have to apologize for being themselves.

Alyssa Roberts

Aniela Mielke

Bridget Torcivia

Gunjan Jetley

Juliette Merrigan

Kaitlyn Franck

Leah Menza

Megan McCrea

Sydney Collins

Valerie Gorsky