Elena Kaufmann’s latest project, YOUNG, explores the multifaceted experience of growing up. In a phase of life marked by uncertainty, she accompanies young people on their journey of self-discovery. Her photography captures not only moments of searching but also the inner conflict between societal norms and personal values.
The portrayed individuals navigate a landscape of possibilities that are often beyond their control. They stand at thresholds, testing boundaries, experimenting—always searching for an open door, for that one opportunity that allows them to truly be themselves. Kaufmann’s images give space to this delicate process, lending a visual voice to the silent in-between moments of transition.
Through her sensitive and long-term approach, she creates intimate portraits that transcend the individual and tell a universal story: a story of growth, doubt, and hope. YOUNG is a tribute to the fragility and resilience of this stage of life—an invitation to reflect on one’s own path to adulthood.
