BE STILL, MY HEART

BY MARTA GIACCONE

Marta Giaccone is an Italian photographer usually based in Milan, Italy, but currently living and studying in Newport, Wales, UK. she has a MA Documentary Photography, University of South Wales, Newport, UK. With several works and exhibitions, she was represented by Anzenberger Agency in 2012.

synopsis

This is a documentary project about teenage mothers in the south of Wales. Britain has one of Europe's highest rates of teenage pregnancies and in the eyes of society this is still seen looked down upon. I was interested to meet young girls and help them tell their stories through photos and interviews. From as early as 16 years old they are very brave mothers who fight to defend their dignity with a humbling maturity. Meeting them has given me a very positive insight into this "issue", seemingly perceived as such by everyone save the girls themselves. They are all proud mothers who have generally experienced domestic hardships but nonetheless decided to go through with their pregnancies, even though nearly always advised not to, and who now consider their children their saving grace.

Editor´s note

The presented project was selected from a spontaneous submission made by Marta Giaconne. Our aim is to disseminate and bring to light telling work of emergent or young photographers.