Robin Bowman and "It's Complicated-The American Teenager"

Naomi Sue Kramer, age 18 Jamesport, Missouri 

Marjorie Lynn Kramer, age 17 Jamesport, Missouri 

Photographed July 5, 2004

These portraits are from photographer Robin Bowman's astounding book, It's Complicated: The American Teenager 

In a five-year journey, Bowman created 419 "collaborative" portraits. 

More of Bowman's  images are up on the website, where the book–now in its third printing– is available for sale.

I am not sure who is more fortunate –– we who meet America's teenagers through Robin Bowman's engaging portraits or these young adults who have found a deeply compassionate artist.
- Elisabeth Biondi, Visual Director, The New Yorker

A poignant study of a generation… These breathtaking portraits, not a stereotype among them, will stand as a priceless record of the faces and feelings of an age.
- David Mehegan, Boston Globe

Roxy Trevino, age 17 Jamaica Queens, New York 

Love Kye, age 19 Jamaica Queens, New York

Photographed March 3, 2002

Jason Kramer, age 18, Rockland, Maine Photographed July 5, 2002

Stewart McAdams, age 16 Jolo, West Virginia 

Ray Mowrer, age 18 Jolo, West Virginia 

Jeremy Ball, age 17 Bradshaw, West Virginia. 

Matthew Phillips, age 17 Paynesville, West Virginia.  

Photographed March 24, 2002