Growing Up

Annette Apel

2015-2019 — Berlin, Germany

About this series

In my photography, I have always been fascinated by observing people and seeking moments that transcend their actual age. This can take place while photographing an adult and finding the child in them or in this case, when portraying children and adolescents, catching a moment in which they appear much older all of a sudden. In front of the camera age can seize to exist. This is what I like.

This series is of these children early on. At first it was more of a journalistic approach, simply documenting them in their daily life without trying to draw their attention. 
There was that moment when A. got her first photo album for christmas, bewildered she exclaimed: „Santa knows me!“ and did not connect my constant camera clicking with the images of hers.
Eventually of course, they both became aware of my camera and have since developed their own interest – and disinterest – towards the process of portrait photography.
I am intrigued by many things: how similar they are to each other – they only seem so in the pictures, how certain movements and expressions never change, and how very strongly they connect to my camera nowadays. It has become a bonding thing between us.

Photographer: Annette Apel
Nationality: German
Based in: Berlin, Germany
Website: www.annetteapel.com
Instagram : @annetteapel