About four years ago I went to Artlink on Princes Avenue in Hull to see an exhibition which showed portraits of young women, or, perhaps, older girls, children about to enter adulthood. The portraits were great, well posed, mainly heads and shoulders, and shot in studio settings and with great lighting. Each photograph was accompanied by the sitter's thoughts and hopes on their futures. These gave a wonderful insight into how these young women, on the very edge of their adult lives, saw both themselves and the world. It left an impression and I saw much more of Carolyn Mendelsohn's work online and following her on Instagram (@carolynmendelsohn_).

Maria. 10

"My dream is to become a good teacher so I can help children overcome their difficulties and become great people like doctors and prime ministers."

Betsy, 11

"I love spending time with my family because they are really funny.

My advice to girls my age going to secondary school is to be yourself and don't let other people take over your life, because it can make your life miserable.

Stick up for yourself and stick up for people who others are being mean to."

Since then her work has grown and is now a much stronger and enlarged body of work which is currently on show at Impressions Gallery in Bradford until 24th July 2021 with around 60 of the 90 photographs she has taken in the series. The gallery is open and apart from an expectation that you sanitise, wear a face mask and socially distance (all sensible precautions) you can follow the one way system and browse. There is a limit on the number of people allowed in at any one time but as I was the only one present I wandered at will. As you would expect with Impressions the work is viewed in good light and well presented. A book of the exhibition is also available at a reduced price for the duration of the show. There is no entrance fee.

Heavans. 10

"I love being adventurous, creative and drawing.

I hate being bossed around.

I would really love to be a doctor and I wish nobody died in the world."

I visited on Tuesday last to catch up with the latest pictures and also watch the video as you leave the gallery which catches up with some of the girls to see what they are thinking now.

The work looks at subjects from all backgrounds and abilities and still left me with a strong sense of investment with the way these youngsters see the world, both globally and in their personal terms. Of course some would love to be pop stars or film stars whilst others want to be teachers and nurses. Many worry about the climate, wars and the unfairness of discrimination. Their dreams and fears are common as well as personal and illuminating. My personal favourite dreams were of wanting to "go to Romania and raise wolves" and have a "large room full of stationary".  I can understand both! As before the photographs are clear, well taken portraits and well printed. A soundtrack of the voices of the girls runs while you examine the pictures. It is worth making an effort to go and have a day out with this as your central feature in these post-lockdown times. As you exit the gallery there is a video update which re-visits some of the girls a couple of years on from having their photographs taken to see if their dreams and aims remain the same.

Becca. 11

"Also I want to get a job where I can look after and raise big cats, like lions and tigers.

"My dream is to walk like my sister so I can run with her and go where she can go.

"If I could walk, that is what I want, to go where my sister goes, so I can go in the hard bits and follow her.

The cover photo is of Stephanie. 11. She says :-

"I love to dance and I love acting because you get to express how you feel; I feel free.

"I am not afraid to say what I have to say, I am not a shy person.

"My dream is to have a big house, a loving family and loads of pets - mostly dogs.