These images tell the story of a teenage girl preparing for the coming of a new year. They are about hair - long, strong, thick, dark, full-bodied hair that is being pulled, stretched and straightened. They tell about the desire for conformance, the need to 'fit', and of the never-ending quest for perfection. In spite of life's tangles - hair continues to grow, renew, and restore itself. Hair is strong and resilient, as is she. Finally, these pictures tell the story of youth and beauty, and how fleeting this moment is; how much is taken for granted, and how much is not.