On Seeing, A Journal. #451

Growing Up: Lara-Sophia Rojas

October 12, 2021

 

8 and 29 years

 

I have studied over 200 children from childhood into their 20’s.  I began with some when they were newborns; others, as is the case with Lara-Sophia started about the time they could read and write.  For all of them I made annual studio portraits and asked them to write answers to a series of questions, a kind of diary about their lives, their feelings, their hopes, their regrets.

This special young woman, Lara-Sophia proved to be as unique, fascinating and authentic as any of the many young people I have had the privilege to get to know. I always enjoyed seeing her and was very impressed by her intelligence and immense self-confidence.

 

8 years old

 

10 years old

 

11 years old

 

12 years old

 

13 years old

 

14 years old

 

15 years old

 

16 years old

 

17 years old

 

18 years old

 

20 years old

 

23 years old

 

29 years old

 

Thank you for participating in my project, Lara.
I wish you much success and happiness.
Please let us know how things are going.

 

 

The “Growing Up” project:
I am interested in everything about human development, fascinated by maturation, growth, emotional, educational and physical development. This exploration has been a major 30 year odyssey, an adventure that has yielded riches beyond my initial imagining.

Permission was signed by the parents of each and every child every year, and by the participants themselves once they turned 18. In addition, we have now sent copies of all of their writings and edited photographs to the participants for whom I have finished all my editing and have received full permission from that group to publish and post.