Photographer Sofie Knijff spent the past three years traveling around the world to places like South Africa, Mali, India, and Greenland asking children one essential question: what do you want to be when you grow up? The series, Translations (spotted on Feature Shoot), strips the subjects of their natural environments to focus more acutely on exactly what the children imagine for themselves. From journalists to hunters to religious leaders, the series captures the wondrous optimism and hope for the future that characterizes the lives of children. We can’t help but be compelled, though, by the darker side of the photos, an intimation of which is posed on Knijff’s site itself: “It is hard not to wonder what will become of childhood dreams and expectations.”
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Hunter, Greenland
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Journalist, Mali
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Marabout, Mali
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Actress, South Africa
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Businessman, India
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Doctor, Mali
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Goal Keeper, South Africa
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Harry Potter, India
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Engineer and Architect, India
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Policeman, India
Image credit: Sofie Knijff
Singer, South Africa
