Photographer Beth Garrabrant is behind Taylor Swiftthe photo album from Folkloretracing his evolution as an artist over the past four years. But Garrabrant’s latest project, a monograph titled Things shouldn’t be this hard (Simon & Schuster), demonstrates his prowess in telling the stories of young people across America between 2001 and 2017. His images are striking in their ability to locate true beauty amid scenes of adolescent normalcy and a cultural moment. obsessed with childhood– and when a serial sex offender maybe president-electNot once but twice: Garrabrant’s depictions of young women are particularly poignant.

This week, Vogue spoke to Garrabrant about choosing the title for his book, growing up in the Midwest, drawing inspiration from Degrassi High School, and the long shadow of Britney Spears.

Photo: Beth Garrabrant

Vogue: Things Shouldn’t Be This Hard is such a lively and memorable title; how did you get there?

Beth Garrabrant: The title comes from a poem of the same name by Kay Ryan. My friend BJ, who designed the book, showed me the poem that struck me. In it, Ryan writes about grooves and ruts, and how a life lived should leave all these marks as proof of existence. Life leaves worn doorknobs and footprints that wander back and forth to the mailbox…this idea that every life is important and that our grooves and ruts tell the story.

What drives you to capture young Americans through photography right now?