Damn Millennial, 11x14 silver gelatin prints, 2018-2020

Standing in line waiting to vote during the 2016 election, I overheard a conversation between two older gentlemen. They were discussing their concerns about millennials. They made it sound like we are going to cause an apocalyptic disaster. Being an older millennial and having multigenerational friends, I’ve found myself listening to the ridicule of my generation. When I reluctantly admit I’m a millennial, they go silent. For the past few years, the conversation of topic has been the damn millennial. 

The term "millennial" has become a derogatory statement for a young person that is considered entitled, selfish, spoiled, lazy, tech-obsessed, social media-driven, and known to have a terrible work ethic. However, millennials are better educated than past generations, burdened by student debt, have the highest stress levels recorded, yet are considered the most compassionate generation. According to the 2015 United States Census, Millennials are 83.1 million strong and represent more than one-quarter of the U.S. population. This does not include the 76 million post-millennials born after 1996, still categorized as a "millennial."  

Millennials choose to be different.  Instead of following the dated average society standards of living life, my generation has decided to break this mold. We want more in life. Our behavior is a response to what we’ve inherited. We’re paying attention more than you know and learning from past generational mistakes. 

Trying to capture an entire generation in twenty-four portraits is nearly impossible. I have one model representing each year ranging from 1981- 2004. The camera is looking down on the subject to represent society looking down on the "millennial."  I use analog photography and darkroom techniques of selective development, solarization, and distressed film negatives to get the right combination that depicts the turmoil we are facing and our response.   

I present the class of millennials, a visual representation of the attempted silencing, frustration, and anger. The model's age determined how I manipulated their image. The series begins with the post-millennial high school teenager, still innocent, a bit naïve, and doe-eyed, being silenced and overlooked. To the recent high school graduate screaming, "I'm an adult," "I have a voice," although they too are ignored as just another millennial who knows nothing. The series ends with the older twenty-and-thirty-something that have dealt with this negative stereotype of being criticized the longest. The dark heavy cloud of criticism looming over my generation provides the aesthetic for this series.

The recent 2020 election has shown how much our voice matters. Millennials are starting to gain political power. In 2020, Time Magazine wrote an article on “How Millennial Leaders Will Change America.” The baton has been passed to us; it’s our time now. We are making waves, we have a voice, we matter, and we can be the change our country desperately needs. My fellow millennials and post-millennials, the cards against us are stacked. Instead of feeling angry, let’s use this negativity as the fuel that ignites the fire to our success. Get out there and be heard. There’s hope in the yet.