Adrienne Salinger on Returning to Her Groundbreaking Photo Series
As her iconic photobook is expanded and reissued, we chat to Adrienne about the images that captured the essence of teenagers in their own sacred spaces.
Growing up as a teenager on Tumblr, it was almost impossible to avoid Adrienne Salinger’s iconic Teenagers In Their Bedrooms photo series. The photographs depicted ordinary teenagers sitting in maximally accessorised bedrooms, surrounded by music, film, and celebrity ephemera, evoking a sense of relatability.
Originally published in 1995, Adrienne’s book created a unique perspective, transporting the viewer into the 80s and early 90s, and into the midst of a person’s most sacred space. It was a space where they would sleep, smoke, daydream about crushes, play guitar, talk to friends on the phone, and express their cultural excess.
These photographs told the stories of teenagers, where they shared their secrets, hopes, anxieties, and life stories with Adrienne.
Author's summary: Adrienne Salinger revisits her iconic photo series.