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30 Photos Of Americans In Their Bedrooms Let Us Take A Glimpse Into Their Private Lives By Barbara Peacock (New Pics)
Interview With Artist
Barbara Peacock, a professional photographer living in New England, spent seven years traveling across the United States to take intimate pictures of Americans in their own bedrooms. She called the project "American Bedroom," which documents the diverse living conditions and lifestyles of her subjects.
The resulting collection of images has been compiled into a captivating book, which will soon be published by Kehrer Verlag. You can secure your copy by pre-ordering here!
In this article, we've selected the most recent photographs, mainly taken in Hawaii, Alaska, and Chicago, which were among the latest states Peacock visited on her journey. Scroll down to become an invisible guest in some of the most private spaces in America!
More info: Instagram | americanbedroomseries.com | Facebook | twitter.com
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Jon, Age 66
"Caring for my mother in the final months of her life was the most fulfilling, satisfying, terrifying, and profound thing I have ever had the honor to experience. I sensed the trust she had for me to care for her without judgment or reservation and the love we shared was deeper than any we had ever expressed before. I wouldn't have traded those shared moments for anything, It was her final gift to me."
Overland Park, Kansas
I just did this for my father. Caregiving is such a beautiful and important role that should be in everyone's life at least for a while
Bored Panda contacted Barbara Peacock again to learn more about her creative process and herself. We got curious about the idea behind "American Bedroom". The artist shared that the project was born accidentally one spring morning. "I saw my husband wrapped up in the sheets, bathed in golden light, with his snore mask on. It looked like a Renaissance painting. I thought the scene was both beautiful and comical and very contemporary. I got my morning coffee and thought about how I would complete the scene. As I sat there, I looked at the photographs on our dressers of our children and our life together. I thought about the small keepsake drawings and love notes tucked away in my jewelry box from when my children were young. Then I looked at my side table with my books, sleep aids, water, and...coffee ring stains. I thought, 'God is in the details'. I began to wonder, what if I took photographs of people in their bedrooms, and what if I did it across the whole country? That was the birth of the idea of the 'American Bedroom'. I first started by photographing people I knew."
Holocaust Survivor - Sonia, Age 94
"I will never forget, I will never forgive but I will never hate."
Kansas City, Missouri
Barbara, Age 70
"This is not the path I thought I'd be on, but this is my path now. It is born of love."
Indianapolis, Indiana
The photographer shared that she has always been passionate about photographing people. "I started with a brownie camera and photographed my brothers and my family. I also had a long career as a commercial photographer, specializing in photographing children."
Taylor And Shannon, Ages 25 And 26
"All we ever wanted was a love that didn’t remind us of pain. We were never hard to love, we just asked the wrong people to try."
Salt Lake City, Utah
Damon, Age 43
"I live surrounded by nature and beauty. Out here, I have everything I need, especially my peace of mind."
Absolutely. No other feeling competes with being connected to nature.
During the seven years that she worked on the project, it was inevitable for Barbara Peacock to create lifelong memories. "There have been so many incredible experiences." However, there are a few that stood out for the photographer - "I photographed a man who lives on a pirate ship in Alaska, four beautiful young sisters and their chickens in Idaho, a 65-year-old farming couple who are still in love in New Mexico, the husband of a girl I went to high school with and had not seen in 40 years in Maine, a family who live in a school bus in Utah, and a 100-year-old woman on a farm in Kansas who walked to the edge of her property waving goodbye to me. The beautiful moments I have experienced are endless. They have enriched my life, and I am honored to have shared them with the beautiful people I have met."
John, Age 63
"Life has been good to me."
Chicago, Illinois
It's hard to find peace on the streets. You really have to know yourself, be comfortable with yourself.
Sara, Age 33
"Drugs, prison, loss. So, so much loss. Although I tried to leave this world I was saved and now with my newfound faith in God, I've found strength I never knew I had. With that strength came a new bond with my children that is concrete and un-breakable. I finally know that I am no longer a burden, but a blessing."
Kimball, South Dakota
"I believe passion comes from love. As Van Gogh said, 'There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people," and that sums it up for me. I love meeting people and having meaningful conversations, sharing a laugh, a coffee, and sometimes a tear or two. Communicating with those who are nearly strangers holds a lot of magic.
It is my hope that when people see the photographs and read the personal statement that accompanies them, they will be moved. This is not about our differences, of which there may be many, but about our likenesses, our loves, our dreams, and all the threads of commonality that connect us as human beings."
Jeff And Sharman, Ages 68 And 70
"The struggle of living close to the bone, tragedy, and loss, death, birth, and rebirth. Celebrations of lives well lived and the mourning of those cut short, successes, failures, questions and answers…nothing easy. We've walked this path going on four decades now. Tomorrow the sun comes up, and the journey continues."
Eolia, Kentucky
Mek (Siberian-Yupik Tribe), Age 29
"While my physical parts feel safe among my living space, rested against a pillow, my heart yearns for my home, my community, our land."
(Nunammi- on the land). Anchorage, Alaska
This is not the first article on Bored Panda featuring Peacock's photographs. For more of her work, check out our previous posts by clicking here and here. Tell us what you think by leaving a comment and upvoting your favorite photographs!
Bandit, Age 25 They/Them (And Bacon The Kitty)
"I’m living through the largest burden of poverty and health issues that I’ve ever experienced, but I feel more alive than I ever have. Be true to who you are, scream it from the rooftops, and thrive!"
Lexington, Kentucky
upvoted for Bacon the kitty. <3 and also, I hope Bandit makes it through, they seem like a cool person. <3
Nicole And Sven, Ages 42 And 38
"We are tattered and distressed, emotionally wiped, just lost a baby and repairing our relationship. We were made for each other from across the oceans, we found each other"
Atlanta, Georgia
Melissa And James, Ages 36 And 43
"We came from big cities from opposite coasts. We were looking for a quiet place. We were looking for freedom and sunsets and a sky that lets you breathe deep. Montana became our place."
Esther And Jenne , Age 67 And 34
Esther: "In my quiet space, I find rest and confidence in God!"
Jenne: "On Sundays, we like to rest from the week's hard work, do a little baking for family and friends, and read the bible. Life is a blessing."
Leola, Pennsylvania
Molly And Zoe, Ages 30 And 31
"Sometimes when we think about our childhood selves and not have imagined this - living a life with your best friend."
Chicago, Illinois
Chelsea And Soul, Ages 37 And 8
"My heart knows this is the best part of my life and it keeps the constant whisper of...'Do not miss this.'"
Fin, Age 33
"God gave us the earth as our home, so as long as you are here on Earth you’ll never be homeless."
Chicago, Illinois
William, Age 21
"Sometimes I look around me and even on my walls and I just wonder if I’ll ever be one of those people to someone else? I’m trying to finally move forward with my life, study in my field but my own penchant for self-doubt and self-criticism often gets in the way. I need to learn to strong-arm myself into respecting myself or everything will be needlessly more difficult."
Chicago, Illinois
I like the music wall! My music room is similar, but the art is 1800s sheet music.
Lee Ann And Lynn, Ages 75 And 79
"Life starts in a prone position, just as each day starts and finishes and as life ends."
Land O Lakes, Florida
Jeremiah, Age 45
"By choice, I have slept in the grass for 6 years. My body is cleansed and pure. When I leave, I leave no trace."
Kauai, Hawaii
That's a lot of plastic though, for leaving no trace
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Right!? Couldn’t comfortably do that year-around in a lot of places
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I've been to Kauai. A ton of people like this. Guess what...they usually end up going home. The residents get sick of all the "homeless" people
This is a BEAUTIFUL place! The rainbow, the beach, the green green grass! But how can you sleep in itchy grass?! I couldn't, but I do admire his carefree outlook!
It's not really itchy, unless you're sensitive to it. Might be the occasional sand flea but no chiggers.
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There's gonna be a trace. As long as someone remembers your name you will be here.
Alexander And Grace, Ages 26 And 28
"We hold this together with our bare bodies, hands and hearts. Lavishly and somewhat simply. We found this love between us one day and we are grateful for it everyday."
Paulina, Age 40
"I live out here because I like to sparkle."
Spent a couple years living on the road, sleeping in a hammock in the trees or just dozing next to a creek. It was a walkabout, in the truest sense. It changed me.
Dennis, Age 63
"I am in the right place. God gave me this gift. When I come home I am free."
Nikolaevsk, Alaska
You can literally see his past in his eyes. It has been long, and sometimes painful, but I do believe that he feels peace and freedom now. Wow. I know how trite of a phrase it is to speak of the eyes as windows to the soul (especially since I do not believe in the Christian "soul"), but I can see the shape of this man's spirit within his eyes.
Hope (She/Her/He/Him) And Kurt (He/Him), Ages 16 And 17
"I love you with every atom! You are the tranquility of a calm stream and the excitement of a waterfall. You bring me all my favorite feelings. Forever isn’t long enough with you."
Anchorage, Alaska
Kelly, Age 44 (With Frankie)
"Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn. It’s those ‘losing’ moments that carry weight and bring forth opportunities for movement that could have gone unnoticed had I stood still winning."
Columbus, Ohio
Amy And Eric, Ages 38 And 42
"She asked for my faith. All l had to offer was a song. For her that was a kingdom."
Nashville, Tennesee
That's... that's a lot of red XD I like it, it's just... a LOT of red.
Veronica And Griff, Ages 29 And 32
"This is where we share our secrets. Where we share each other. Where we show up and lay our heads with no fear. Rest comes east here despite the world being so unpredictable. This is our home."
Madison, Wisconsin
Anna And Ruby, Ages 21 And 22
Anna: "As I move through each era of myself, I fall increasingly in love with the new version. Loving myself aggressively and completely is the most radical thing I’ve ever done."
Ruby: "I am fulfilled by the concept that love is a spectrum, whether romantic, platonic or somewhere in between. After a lonely childhood, I have finally found my place in this new chapter of life that gives me comfort and joy that I have never experienced before."
Portland, Oregon
Holly, Age 27
"Life is as simple or complex as I choose to make it. There is peace and comfort in knowing that it's all temporary because it reminds me that my wildest dreams and deepest desires are obtainable and achievable only by me. The only way to get there is to keep moving forward."
Chicago, IL
Lee, Age 49
"It’s hard in Pine Bluff. It’s like a black hole, it sucks you in and keeps you."
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Suspect some of your choices led to that place in time... but vodka will certainly anchor you to it.
Laura And Spencer, Ages 23 And 23
Spencer (he/him): "My heart lies within me but my home lies within so many other’s hearts. My journey to find my home will never end until I find my way back to myself."
Laura(she/her): "I’ve had this car as a comfortable and consistent place longer than I’ve lived in any room as an adult so far."
Portland, Oregon
Note: this post originally had 31 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Cool concept but none of these photos feel natural. All of these people look so uncomfortable & so posed. It would have been a lot cooler to see them in candid photos.. rather than these which come off super disingenuous & overly staged & unnatural .. idk maybe that's just me. But there's alot of potential for a super cool set of work.. but it's just.. very amateur & it seems like the photographer missed the point of their own concept.
I feel like everyone was trying to hard to come across as profound.
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Some of these photos made me glad I decided 40 years ago to quit smoking and cut way down on my drinking.
This was a pretty intense photo project, however, I believe that was the intention of the photographer. It did not gloss over poverty, loss, addiction, and the questioning of identity. It showed us tiny glimpses of people's lives that we may not come across in our daily comings ang goings. There was a lot of sadness in some of these but also rare glimpses of hope.
The photos were great. Not staged at all.
Load More Replies... I can't help but think there is a bit to much effort to come across as profound ,especially with the younger subjects,and ends up not really making sense.....I wonder if these statements will age well for them?
About half of these make me think I'm doing something wrong with my life. The other half make me think it could be a lot worse. In either case, I obviously need to move my guitars into the bedroom.
It's not hate, but if you want to write the pronomes, then write them in every photos. So it's prettier and more informative
Honestly it probably would've caused more problems because then you'd have transphobes trying to be transphobic to cis people. Stupid but :P what can you do?
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Every once in awhile I feel the urge to get a camera and take some photography classes and series like this inch me one step closer to wanting to do it for real. These are the types of photos and stories I would want to take and tell.
I do judge you for being silly enough to think this is representative of the 300,000,000 plus people living in the States. Don't you think there is economic diversity in your country? Are you aware that Canada has more than a quarter million homeless people?
Like many others alot of it felt a little too deep. There are planet of us out here doing great with no bad memories, loving our families including our parents, not drinking (to excess) smoking ? Not wallowing in doubt or self pity. Have I been poor? Yess. Have I been homeless? Yes. Those struggles helped shape me but so not define me and I do not dwell on them as they do me no good now. I look at what I've become and what I've accomplished and I am proud of it but it's not that deep. Millions do it every day. I got married at 19 6 months pregnant to a guy I'd known 8 months. We left California with a baby a 30 yo truck and one vinyl chair lol. We're now grandparents on 4 acres with a beautiful house. We all struggle but dwelling and highlighting the struggle and making it your whole personality does nothing to help you move forward....sorry this was so long!
All the transphobic nonsense is ridiculous. I grew up in a hate filled household. If you weren't white, straight, and Christian you were seen as being below dirt in my house. I was lucky and found friends who taught me better. I have found that it is so much healthier and less stressful to just accept people for who they are, rather than judge them for how you think they are or should be.
Cool concept but none of these photos feel natural. All of these people look so uncomfortable & so posed. It would have been a lot cooler to see them in candid photos.. rather than these which come off super disingenuous & overly staged & unnatural .. idk maybe that's just me. But there's alot of potential for a super cool set of work.. but it's just.. very amateur & it seems like the photographer missed the point of their own concept.
I feel like everyone was trying to hard to come across as profound.
Load More Replies... Some of these photos made me glad I decided 40 years ago to quit smoking and cut way down on my drinking.
This was a pretty intense photo project, however, I believe that was the intention of the photographer. It did not gloss over poverty, loss, addiction, and the questioning of identity. It showed us tiny glimpses of people's lives that we may not come across in our daily comings ang goings. There was a lot of sadness in some of these but also rare glimpses of hope.
The photos were great. Not staged at all.
Load More Replies... I can't help but think there is a bit to much effort to come across as profound ,especially with the younger subjects,and ends up not really making sense.....I wonder if these statements will age well for them?
About half of these make me think I'm doing something wrong with my life. The other half make me think it could be a lot worse. In either case, I obviously need to move my guitars into the bedroom.
It's not hate, but if you want to write the pronomes, then write them in every photos. So it's prettier and more informative
Honestly it probably would've caused more problems because then you'd have transphobes trying to be transphobic to cis people. Stupid but :P what can you do?
Load More Replies... Every once in awhile I feel the urge to get a camera and take some photography classes and series like this inch me one step closer to wanting to do it for real. These are the types of photos and stories I would want to take and tell.
I do judge you for being silly enough to think this is representative of the 300,000,000 plus people living in the States. Don't you think there is economic diversity in your country? Are you aware that Canada has more than a quarter million homeless people?
Like many others alot of it felt a little too deep. There are planet of us out here doing great with no bad memories, loving our families including our parents, not drinking (to excess) smoking ? Not wallowing in doubt or self pity. Have I been poor? Yess. Have I been homeless? Yes. Those struggles helped shape me but so not define me and I do not dwell on them as they do me no good now. I look at what I've become and what I've accomplished and I am proud of it but it's not that deep. Millions do it every day. I got married at 19 6 months pregnant to a guy I'd known 8 months. We left California with a baby a 30 yo truck and one vinyl chair lol. We're now grandparents on 4 acres with a beautiful house. We all struggle but dwelling and highlighting the struggle and making it your whole personality does nothing to help you move forward....sorry this was so long!
All the transphobic nonsense is ridiculous. I grew up in a hate filled household. If you weren't white, straight, and Christian you were seen as being below dirt in my house. I was lucky and found friends who taught me better. I have found that it is so much healthier and less stressful to just accept people for who they are, rather than judge them for how you think they are or should be.
