Lauren Tepfer's photographs capture what it's like to grow up in American suburbia

In this sixth issue, we're introduced to Lauren Tepfer, a 21-year-old photographer and director living and working in New York City. Having grown up in southern New Jersey, Lauren is particularly adept at capturing the essence of a teenager living in suburbia. She first began shooting portraits of her friends and family at the age of 13 and has since developed an evolving body of work.

Lauren has had her photo work exhibited in both Los Angeles and NYC and her films screened in the Big Apple, too. She is currently studying at Parsons School of Design where she is pursuing a BFA in photography. "Growing up with a creative mind in the boundaries of a town populated by less than 7,000, I’ve learned to create my own magic and nurture it myself," says Lauren.

She adds: "To me, capturing my suburban surroundings in photographic form is like a digital love letter. I connect most to genuine and intimate settings and I feel that small towns are where most of that energy blossoms from. Aside from giving me good feelings, I hope that my suburban narratives can provide comfort for those growing up feeling lonely or unaccounted for."

Lauren Tepfer joins five other photographers in the series by Open Doors Gallery and Setanta Books, which was a project borne out of the chaos of 2020. So far, we've also seen the work Hollie Fernando, a British photographer and director based in Brighton, and Michael McCluskey, whose art "uncovers hidden layers in the mundane". There is a lot to explore over at setantabooks.com.