Young photographer Madison Carroll's striking images capture the raw truths behind a girl's coming to age. Carroll's raw and somewhat gruesome images highlight the highs and lows of what it's like to be a woman.
In these still shots, Carroll juxtaposes the seemingly tidy, elegant and fragile idea of what society deems womanhood should be along with the more realistic and raw truth. The images depict pregnancy tests, used condoms, blood stains, cigarettes and discarded sanitary napkins to showcase that growing into a woman isn't an easy feat to achieve. The use of lace, satin and white materials gives off a sense of innocence that is heavily contrasted with the dirty, thrown away objects. While the images might be a bit irksome for some people to look at, Carroll does a fantastic job at showing the opposing difficulties and hardships to growing up.
Discomforting Womanhood Photography
Photographer Madison Carroll Captures a Girl's Coming of Age
Trend Themes
1. Raw Truth Photography - Capturing the gritty realities of life through photography presents opportunities to challenge societal beauty standards and inspire authenticity.
2. Contrasting Expectations - Highlighting the disparity between societal expectations and the messy realities of womanhood opens doors for conversations on gender roles and stereotypes.
3. Unapologetic Femininity - Exploring unconventional representations of femininity can disrupt traditional notions and empower women to embrace their true selves.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - The photography industry can leverage raw and thought-provoking imagery to attract a new audience seeking authenticity in visual representation.
2. Fashion - Fashion brands can embrace the contrast between elegance and rawness to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote inclusive body positivity.
3. Gender Studies - Academic institutions and research organizations can utilize this artwork to explore the complexities of gender, sparking discussions around societal expectations and personal identity.