“When I Grow Up” Photo Project Brings Childhood Dreams to Life

Photography Tips

What did you want to be when you were a kid? A firefighter? Scientist? President of the United States? A new photo project, “When I Grow Up,” tackles that very question—by letting kids bring their dreams to life:

The project was shot by Georgia-based photographer Brandon Cawood, whose sister Malisa Cawood, a fifth-grade teacher, signed on to have her students participate in this project.

The idea is that kids pose as the professions they hope to one day be, with a full set being sold as a 2016–17 calendar. Proceeds will go to to the City of Refuge.

The photos are cutely surreal and full of hope—a similar idea (and style) to Cawood’s previous large-scale project, “Not All Wear Capes,” which portrayed firefighters, doctors and police officer as everyday superheroes.

The kids’ choices are pretty well thought-out, as you can see:

“The reason I want to be a firefighter is because they are brave, and they’re strong, and they don’t step back into fear. They push ahead and they keep on trying.”