small town girl
by elizestrydom
I grew up in a small town cut through the middle by a wide river, its two sides joined by a bendy bridge. I didn’t think the life I lived was anything special; I just did my thing and that was that. It’s only now with a bit of hindsight that I realise how unique those years on the cusp really were. Alive with possibility and yearning and so completely raw.
In 2012 I set out on a photographic journey of remembering and discovery. What’s it like to grow big in a small town? I was asking that question of myself as well as my four subjects; Jannah in Broken Hill, Savannah in Parkes, Emily in Grafton and Merryn in Byron Bay. I wanted my memories of adolescence both validated and challenged.
In June this year a selection of the images will be exhibited as part of the Head On Photo Festival in Sydney. And after entering them in the Qantas Spirit of Youth Award for photography I was named runner up.
Now, Small Town Girl is leaving home. On June 13 I will fly to the US of A and spend two months there, photographing the lives of teenage girls in Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi and Texas. The thing is, I haven’t found my girls yet. Can you help?
I’m looking for a girl (aged between 13-19) who lives in a town with a population of 20, 000 or less in each of the states listed above. I’ll live with her and her family/flatmates for a week and follow her around, taking fly-on-the-wall style photos.
If you’re interested or if you know someone who knows someone who knows a teenage girl who fits the bill, then please comment here or email me for more details: elizestrydom@live.com.au Feel free to share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and any of your other networks. Many thanks!
olive and oak 
Tweeting you! 🙂
Thank yooou!
I grew up in a small town in Kansas and this sounds like such an incredible project. Although I can’t recommend any girls, I can’t wait to see the beautiful images you create on your journey.
Congrats! xx
Thank you! Oh wow, Kansas. I’d love to go there, too. It was hard to choose just seven states…but I will definitely go back.
Wow! Congratulations on runner up! What an awesome achievement! These images are more than deserving. Good luck scouting for models, I’ll be sure to share this on FB.
Laaate reply….but thanks, Lisa!
love this work you did,i grew up in a small town in Portugal and can totally relate to the subject 🙂
wonderful light and setting – reminds me of the beautiful air of australia.
very nice pics!!!
try to make it down here and check out the very southern tip of Texas! theres no place like it. Keep up the awesome work 🙂
Thanks so much! I’d love to go down to southern Texas…do you know any teenage girls who fit the bill? Perhaps you could forward this post on to people who might? Thanks!
Ahhhhh you girl, you are amazing.
Awww, you’re lovely. Thanks, miss x
This is amazing! I emailed you darling!
Got it! Just replied 🙂
Oh, how I wish you were doing Minnesota. can’t wait to see this project! x
Hi Hannah! I’d definitely consider it if you or someone you know is interested in taking part in the project. Let me know 🙂
I would so love to see the rest of the photos! They look amazing. Are they online somewhere?
Hey Zoe! Thank you 🙂 They’re not online yet…I’ll put them on elizestrydom.com once they’ve been exhibited.
aahh this sounds so crazy cool. come to Ohio!
Hi Jenn! I’d definitely consider coming to Ohio. Would you be interested in being my subject? Perhaps you could email me and let me know: elizestrydom@live.com.au Oh and I had a look at your blog – just beautiful.
Still looking for subjects?? I’m an Oregon girl, town of about 6,000!
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I’m guessing you might not be in the Midwest anymore, but I live in Indiana (very near the international airport) in a small town out in the country! If you are still in need of a girl in Indiana, I’m here! 🙂
Oh thanks, Olivia! I’m over in Maine now…but I will definitely come back to spend time with more ‘Small Town Girls’ so please stay in touch 🙂
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