When The New York Times invited young women to share their lives in photographs, the result was the stunning feature, “This Is 18,” a portrait of girlhood across six continents and 12 time zones through the eyes of girls themselves. That 2018 project is now a remarkable book, This Is 18, hailed as “a perfect tribute to girlhood” that gives readers a rare glimpse at the realities and interests of their contemporaries around the globe.

Jessica Bennett, The Times’ gender editor and editor of the book, This Is 18, will visit VSCO for a talk and Q&A about the project, hosted by Joel Flory, co-founder and CEO of VSCO. The event is just for high school students in the Oakland area. VSCO is committed to helping young people share photographs showing how they see the world – free from judgement.

Jessica Bennett and Joel Flory

The conversation will explore topics from creativity and individuality to mental health and social media.

The event will include an exhibition of a selection of photos from the project, a book signing and light refreshments.

Featuring scores of photos of and by young women, “This Is 18” is an immersive look at what it means to be on the cusp of adulthood around the world and across cultures. Twenty-one empowering and uniquely personal profiles, expanded from a feature published by The New York Times, gives readers a rare glimpse at the realities and interests of their contemporaries around the globe. The book is available at local bookstores and on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo and other booksellers.

This is 18: A Talk & Q&A with the Editor, Presented by VSCO