Eva Verbeeck Released America’s Girls Monograph
The photography collection explores girlhood through portraits captured across 28 U.S. states over six years.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Photography
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Photographer Eva Verbeeck has released a new monograph titled America’s Girls, On the Edge of a Dream. The project documents the identity and girlhood of 400 young women through portraits taken across the United States.
Why it matters
The project seeks to challenge established media narratives by providing a platform for young women to define how they are seen. It explores complex themes of gender and identity through a multi-year creative endeavor.
The monograph represents the culmination of six years of work, featuring portraits of 400 girls aged six to 18. Each participant utilized a large format camera setup to personally select the clothing or objects included in their image.
The players
Eva Verbeeck
Eva Verbeeck is a professional photographer based in Belgium who focuses on documentary and portraiture work.
GOST Books
GOST Books is the independent publishing house responsible for the release of the America's Girls monograph.
Cultuurcentrum De Factorij
Cultuurcentrum De Factorij is a Belgian cultural center currently hosting an exhibition of the photography series.
Savannah Center for Photography
The Savannah Center for Photography is a Georgia-based institution that is presenting the photography project to the public.
The details
Spanning 28 states, the project captures diverse experiences of youth and femininity while documenting individual identity. Participants were encouraged to curate their own visual representation, allowing them to dictate how they wish to be perceived by the viewer.
Timeline
Eva Verbeeck initiated the photography project in 2018.
The monograph was officially released in September 2026.
Culture Shift
This monograph follows a growing trend of visual documentation projects that reject traditional media tropes in favor of self-curated identity. By prioritizing the autonomy of young subjects, Verbeeck marks a departure from historical portraiture models that centered on external observation.
Readers interested in the project can view the photography series at current exhibitions in Belgium and Georgia. The monograph is also available for purchase through the publisher, allowing individuals to explore the documented portraits of 400 young women firsthand.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates that self-representation remains a vital tool for young people navigating the complexities of modern identity. Aspiring creators can look to this work as an example of how long-term dedication to a specific theme can result in a powerful social archive.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the field, explore the Photography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CNN International.
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