Eva Verbeeck Releases Portrait Book of American Girls
The photographer captures American girlhood across 28 states in a new 54-image collection.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Photography
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Photographer Eva Verbeeck has published a new 104-page hardback book featuring portraits of American girls aged six to 18. The project documents the lives of over 400 subjects from across 28 states.
Why it matters
The collection aims to capture the reality of American girlhood rather than rely on the cultural stereotypes frequently presented in commercial media and film.
The 104-page hardback book is available for $60 and features 54 images captured between 2018 and 2024. Verbeeck utilized 4x5 and 8x10 large-format film cameras to complete the sessions.
The players
Eva Verbeeck
She is a professional photographer known for her large-format film portrait projects documenting youth culture.
GOST
This organization is the publisher responsible for releasing Verbeeck's collection of American portrait photography.
CC De Factorij
This is a cultural center located in Belgium that is currently hosting an exhibition of the photography project.
Savannah College of Art and Design
Commonly known as SCAD, this private university focuses on arts and design education and will host a lecture by the artist.
The details
Verbeeck recruited subjects through various channels including schools, youth groups, community events, and open calls. Her work is currently being showcased at CC De Factorij to provide a tangible look at the diverse lives of girls across the country.
Timeline
The project began in Savannah, Georgia, in 2018.
Photographs for the book were captured from 2018 through 2024.
The photography exhibition at CC De Factorij closes on October 31, 2026.
Verbeeck will give a talk at the Savannah College of Art and Design on November 18, 2026.
Verbeeck will serve as a headline artist at Belgrade Photo Month in May 2027.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader movement in contemporary art to reject the aesthetic tropes of traditional media in favor of raw, authentic documentation. By moving away from cinematic archetypes, Verbeeck aligns with a growing emphasis on granular, realistic representation in modern photography.
Readers interested in purchasing the collection can acquire the hardback book for $60. Those residing in Europe can visit the exhibition at CC De Factorij before it concludes at the end of October 2026.
The takeaway
Verbeeck's project highlights the value of using traditional large-format film to capture authentic, non-stereotypical portraits of youth. Aspiring photographers can implement these methods by focusing on community-based recruitment to ensure diverse and genuine subject representation.
What happens next
Eva Verbeeck is scheduled to deliver a public talk at the Savannah College of Art and Design on November 18, 2026. Additionally, she will headline the Belgrade Photo Month event in May 2027.
Further reading
Find more updates and collections in our Photography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Digital Camera World.
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Do you still find traditional, formal portraits more meaningful than digital selfies?
