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“Typology Of The American Teenager”: 30 Captivating Photographs By Richard Renaldi
The genre of portraiture in photography has always been personal and intriguing. Early photographers were drawn to capturing the likenesses and expressions of others through the lens, preserving a moment in time. Today, the interest in using people as subjects in photography remains strong, as their appearance, gestures, and emotions hint at deeper stories that remain just out of reach.
For Richard Renaldi, portraiture is definitely his passion, as his career is grounded in the exploration of this genre. The artist has released numerous portrait series. We've already showcased Richard's captivating project, titled "Touching Strangers", which got a lot of positive reactions. So, in today's article, we want to share one of his other photo series, "Typology of the American Teenager", containing pictures of teenagers from across the United States. The series depicts the diversity and individuality of American teenagers, highlighting their unique personalities and characteristics through the lens of Renaldi's camera.
More info: Instagram | renaldi.com | twitter.com | flickr.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Navajo Girls, 2010
In one of his interviews, Richard spoke that people often feel nervous about taking pictures of unknown individuals. Portraiture, particularly street portraiture, can be more complex than typically acknowledged. The photographer personally finds the genre appealing as it allows him to observe and study people, using the camera as an extension of his gaze.
#2
Briana, Destiny, And Tiffany, 2011
#3
Jacinda And Dana, 2011
When asked what the photographer looks for in other people's portraiture, Richard answered - authenticity, engagement and sensuality. "I think a sense of presence, where you feel like the subject is not only looking at the photographer but looking at you. Some sort of deep looking—a presence rather than self-consciousness. Sometimes it’s about the quality of light, or mood. If a portrait has a narrative, I’m usually drawn to it. I don’t necessarily mind if something is staged, but when things start to feel too artificial, I think it’s a crutch," the artist shared in one of his interviews.
#4
Valentina, 2019
#5
Timothy And Danny, 2010
Richard Renaldi was born in 1968 in Chicago and graduated with a photography degree from New York University in 1990. He has had his photographs displayed in various galleries worldwide, including the Third Floor Gallery in Cardiff, Wales in 2012, Aperture Gallery in New York in 2014, and the Loyola University Museum of Art in Chicago in 2015 among others.
#6
Irving, Arthur, And Jeff, 2012
#7
Karina And Danny, 2010
#8
Gabriell And Ray, 2010
#9
Katia, 2017
Tara Tara Tara 1 year ago
I'm a bit concerned by the look in the eyes in all these photos. Are you sure they have permission to take these photos
VonBlade 1 year ago
The age of many of these looks outside the remit of the article. Hooray for someone who looks within the teen bracket.
Erica Ventura 1 year ago
I've raised teenagers and currently have teenagers and have known so many teenagers that I now know there's no such thing as normal. And the weirdest looking kids are sometimes the sweetest ones
Load More Replies... #10
Cody And David, 2011
#11
Ashley And Ashlee, 2004
#12
Larry, 2013
#13
John, Joe, And Chris, 2011
#14
Josh And Lindsey, 2012
#16
Annie, Mikelynn, And Abby, 2019
#17
Nathanial And Lilith, 2019
#18
Chris And Kyle, 2010
#19
Papo And Dezorae, 2010
Brooke Marie 1 year ago
Does she have a penis tattoo? I've been looking for way too long trying to make out anything else...
#20
Cameron And Cole, 2017
#21
Taylor And Barrett, 2018
#22
Anthony, 2019
#23
Bianca, Shailah, Kayla, And Ashley, 2011
#24
Michael, 2010
#25
Wes And Dedrick, 2011
Naughty panda 1 year ago (edited)
All I see is two young brothers looking for a bright future and Jon Wayne you can stfu
#26
George And Ryan, 2019
#27
Jessica, 2014
#28
Ben And Layden, 2019
#29
Treshawna And Reg, 2011
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What do you think ?
lili 1 year ago
Y'all. What on earth? Why are there so many judgemental and rude comments here?
PunnyPanda 1 year ago
My same thoughts. Why are we so hard on teenagers? They're literally children....
Load More Replies...
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
I got the feeling that the "touching" in some of these pictures was not natural, like the photographer had boys draping arms around each other, etc. It wasn't the kids` own idea.
Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
I was thinking the same. It's been a while since I was a teenager, but I don't think American kids tend to be that touchy-feely (except with someone they might be dating). Also, why so serious? Americans usually smile when they're posing for photos.
Load More Replies...
Annabelle W. 1 year ago (edited)
Bored Panda, it's pretty messed up to have every single photo entitled with the names of the people in the photos but the first photo is 2 young ladies and it just says Navajo Girls. Are they not important enough to have their names their like everyone else does?? It wouldn't have been a thing for me but it's literally the only photo without their names and it makes it seem like they weren't important enough to whoever did this article to include the names. Even if that is not the case, it's still messed up. You put that photo first so really stands out that they are the only ones without names listed. I am not convinced all of these are teenagers either. Like the photo with the 2 people with one of them with a penis tattoo and the other with lots of tattoos. It's possible but unless you know someone doing illegal ink you gotta be 18 for that. Yes it's technically still a teenager but you're a legal adult too so to me it shouldn't even be included in this list, you can't be sure whether they are teens or older. A lot of these photos are more than 10 years old too, what about showing what teens are like today or making an article that shows photo comparisons of teenagers from yesteryear to teenagers of the present.
kate ! 1 year ago
teens can get tats with a parent's signature there are tons of kids at my hs that have tats
Load More Replies...
Bubbles and sparks 1 year ago
As a former photographer I half-liked these pictures... Never was much for the "just pose" look, more for the "relax, let's talk some while I shoot pictures and we'll see what comes from it" and I always got the greatest pictures from where they stopped posing and started relaxing 😁 Done many shoots with models but most of them forgot how it's like to just "be"... So I would ask the make-up artist of they'd like their pictures taken, it just ask strangers and those were the best photoshoots ever.
James Bishop 1 year ago
Who the creeper that thought having most the guys take their shirt off was a good idea
Barb Higgs 1 year ago
Interesting concept ! It would be cool to take photos of teenagers around the world with blogs about them ,you know age,what's important to them ,etc .
lili 1 year ago
Y'all. What on earth? Why are there so many judgemental and rude comments here?
PunnyPanda 1 year ago
My same thoughts. Why are we so hard on teenagers? They're literally children....
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 1 year ago
I got the feeling that the "touching" in some of these pictures was not natural, like the photographer had boys draping arms around each other, etc. It wasn't the kids` own idea.
Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
I was thinking the same. It's been a while since I was a teenager, but I don't think American kids tend to be that touchy-feely (except with someone they might be dating). Also, why so serious? Americans usually smile when they're posing for photos.
Load More Replies... Annabelle W. 1 year ago (edited)
Bored Panda, it's pretty messed up to have every single photo entitled with the names of the people in the photos but the first photo is 2 young ladies and it just says Navajo Girls. Are they not important enough to have their names their like everyone else does?? It wouldn't have been a thing for me but it's literally the only photo without their names and it makes it seem like they weren't important enough to whoever did this article to include the names. Even if that is not the case, it's still messed up. You put that photo first so really stands out that they are the only ones without names listed. I am not convinced all of these are teenagers either. Like the photo with the 2 people with one of them with a penis tattoo and the other with lots of tattoos. It's possible but unless you know someone doing illegal ink you gotta be 18 for that. Yes it's technically still a teenager but you're a legal adult too so to me it shouldn't even be included in this list, you can't be sure whether they are teens or older. A lot of these photos are more than 10 years old too, what about showing what teens are like today or making an article that shows photo comparisons of teenagers from yesteryear to teenagers of the present.
kate ! 1 year ago
teens can get tats with a parent's signature there are tons of kids at my hs that have tats
Load More Replies... Bubbles and sparks 1 year ago
As a former photographer I half-liked these pictures... Never was much for the "just pose" look, more for the "relax, let's talk some while I shoot pictures and we'll see what comes from it" and I always got the greatest pictures from where they stopped posing and started relaxing 😁 Done many shoots with models but most of them forgot how it's like to just "be"... So I would ask the make-up artist of they'd like their pictures taken, it just ask strangers and those were the best photoshoots ever.
James Bishop 1 year ago
Who the creeper that thought having most the guys take their shirt off was a good idea
Barb Higgs 1 year ago
Interesting concept ! It would be cool to take photos of teenagers around the world with blogs about them ,you know age,what's important to them ,etc .
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