From the solitary antics of videogame-obsessed teens to couples in love, Erika Larsen offers insight into how teens relate to one another and to the world around them.

You shot many young couples in love, what can you say about their relationship ideals and how they might be unique to their generation?

I think their ideals are very American and quite similar to the past generations. They are in love and will stay that way forever. I think the difference in their mind is that they have learned from their parents, what mistakes they will not make and that they believe their decisions are well informed and are their decisions! Meaning they have made the choice to be with their partner based on their mind and no one else’s.

This may vary on past generation where family influences may have been more prevalent.

I also found that they were dealing with complex issues like teen pregnancy, single parent raising a child, homosexuality, mixed race relationships, a marriage where the first year married they will be separated by war, a relationship in separate cities because of choices to attend different colleges but still trying to make it work, planning to have a child with same sex partnership. These are signs that speak of this generation.

I think with all this said the couples were as ideal as ever that love lasts forever and their relationships will stand the test of time. That the choices they have made are theirs and they will take that responsibility.

I was inspired and impressed by this.

You also shot a more solitary group of video gamers, can you talk about their lifestyle, are they shy and isolated or are games just a pass time?

I think gaming is a big part of their social life and I do not think they are isolated. They are actually communicating with more people in a variety of countries just through technology instead of physical and in person contact. I also see that friends get together at each other’s houses and game together.

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Erika Larsen’s work appears in magazines both in the U.S. and internationally, covering a range of topics including family life, religion, and spirituality in rural America. Her most notable work to date is her immersion into the world of hunting, which began in 2003 and led to her becoming a contributing photographer to Field & Stream Magazine. Her work has been recognized by: World Press Photo, American, Society of Magazine Editors, American Photography, Society of Photographers, New Jersey State Council of the Arts, and others. She is currently working on a project in the Scandinavian Arctic. Erika is based in New York City.

Redux Pictures is an editorial and commercial agency based in New York City representing photographers around the world. The agency photographers have been awarded every top prize in photography, have received numerous grants and fellowships and have been exhibited extensively. Redux Photographers include Marc Asnin, Ben Baker, Nina Berman, David Butow, Peter Frank Edwards, Danny Wilcox Frazier, Eros Hoagland, John Keatley, Andy Kropa, Erika Larsen,Gina LeVay, Joshua Lutz, Preston Mack, Kevin J. Miyazaki, Darcy Padilla, Mark Peterson, Michael Rubenstein, Greg Ruffing, Q. Sakamaki, Erin Siegal, Angie Smith, Ben Stechschulte, Brad Swonetz, Nathaniel Welch, and David Yellen.

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