Inspired by a YouTube video of a chain-smoking Indonesian toddler, Belgium-based photographer Frieke Janssens created a photography series as a response to the video—to raise awareness.

’Smoking Kids’ features 14 kids, set in a period of ‘Mad Men’, smoking in the various ways different 'tribes' of smokers pose—with their hands and posture in a particular smoker-like gestures.

“The video highlighted the cultural differences between the east and west, and questioned notions of smoking being a mainly adult activity. Adult smokers are the societal norm, so I wanted to isolate the viewer’s focus upon the issue of smoking itself. I felt that children smoking would have a surreal impact upon the viewer and compel them to truly see the acts of smoking rather than making assumptions about the person doing the act,” Janssens wrote.

Janssens used photo-manipulations to achieve the final product. No real cigarettes were used on the set. Instead, chalk and sticks of cheese were prop stand-ins, and candles and incense were used to provide wisps of smoke.





























[via Fubiz]


Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.



This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.