I have known Margaret since she was a baby. This portrait of her is from a session of 2015, when she was 13 years old. Adolescence is an dense, disruptively brief and confusing period in our lives even though this time didn’t really upset her, as she always has had a peace loving nature and you can see it in her eyes (but hey, don’t forget that this tough cookie knows what she wants)!
I took some shots of Matilde in October 2011. At that time she was 15 years old (not far from turning 16). When you are at that age, your life is busy: there’s school, there are friends (of all types!), sport activities, your mobile is always in your hands and you can be grumpy, especially with your parents and siblings.
I was a teenager a long time ago but I still remember feeling neither one thing nor the other. Everything seemed complicated. Adolescence is a strange, delicate turning point. Childhood is behind you but the future is ahead of you and you don’t know where you belong. Dualism is extremely accentuated and is a typical trait of this phase of life: on one hand, you are carefree but, on the other, you need to be serious. You are too young to be involved in certain things but too grown up for others.
Matilde has always looked more grown up that she actually was. She has always been responsible, sharp and with clarity in mind. I was very happy to spend an hour with her and her auntie!
Below, my favourite!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 