The Photographic Alphabet: E is for Jeani Elbaum

Logan Kyra Amelia Sabrina 2006 © Jeani Elbaum

Project: In the Middle

This project, which delves into themes such as childhood, adolescence, gender, class and culture, documents the same four children from 2005 until 2017. Two of the children are my son and daughter and two are the daughters of close family friends. All are middle class, from middle America and have been friends since kindergarten or first grade. The children attend school together, play together, participate in similar activities, and at times argue and disagree with each other.

Logan at the School Dance© Jeani Elbaum

The images shown here are from the early school years and were taken between 2005 – 2007. One is already able to see the differences and similarities in their personalities. As the project continues they mature, change and become young adults.

Amelia and Sabrina Libby Lu Party© Jeani Elbaum

Logan in First Grade© Jeani Elbaum

 Angry Sabrina© Jeani Elbaum

Logan In the Back Yard© Jeani Elbaum

Jeani is currently editing and scanning the negatives (there are about 2000). She will be updating her website with approximately 150 final images and in the near future, the viewer can be a witness as they grow from children into young adults.

More of Jeani's work can be found on her website here