Viel Glück zum Muttertag
2009- ongoing
This long-term photo project is about the relationship between my stepdaughter and me, growing up as a girl in this society, coming of age, my own memories of it and the question: What does family mean?
When I moved in with Zoe's father in 2009, I became the stepmother to Zoe, an 8-year-old, almost overnight, and my life changed dramatically. Suddenly, I had set dinner times, did homework with her, went to school parties, argued about cell phone bans, and was proud of her first band performances and musical progress. I unintentionally learned who or what was "famous" or "hobbyless" at the time and saw what Justin Bieber was going through. I was able to witness the transformation from child to adolescent to young adult—coming of age, in other words!
At first, the new family situation overwhelmed me, and I began taking photographs to consciously confront this role. It gave me the opportunity to take a step back and take a distanced look at the emotional scenario.
Later, I realized that, in part, this was also helping me process my own, very similar childhood as a child of divorce. I portrayed a girl who, like me, is constantly searching for her position and her own path within her family's confusing circumstances, oscillating between the conflicts between her parents, her family, and myself. More than 10 years have now passed since I photographed Zoe and her father.
Zoe has become a very important part of my life. Her lively nature, her stubbornness, her imagination, her desire for love and attention, her strengths and weaknesses have accompanied me ever since.

Book 48,- CHF
Book  17 x 23 cm / 304 pages  / edition 500 / wrap-around flap cover / 
open thread-stitching, german/english / © 2023 Sturm & Drang Publishers
C-Print 24 x 30 cm, edition 30, signed 250,-CHF + shipping
 + 7 CHF shipping (€ same price)
You can order  your copy directly from me at:
anne@gabriel-juergens.net

published & exhibit:
Never stop reading 12/2020 & 01/2021
La Couleur des Jours hiver 2020-2021
Republik 10/2021
Annabelle 11/2022
Parat Galerie Book launch 05/2023
Deutscher Fotobuchpreis/Bronze 2024
Bellvue Basel 03.2025 - 13.04.2025

Sample book pages