Stephanie Hanlon is an Atlanta-based photographer whose evocative work explores the intersections of family, memory, and the impact of modern society on human connection. With nearly 20 years of experience as a photographer and journalist, she began her career documenting protests, government, and business in the U.S. Virgin Islands and New York. Now, she uses her lens to capture the nuanced stories of American families, drawing from her own experiences as a single mother raising her daughter without a traditional support system.

Her work was awarded First Prize in the Narrative Power of Black and White exhibit juried by Shots Magazine editor Elizabeth Flinsch and was a 2024 Photo Lucida Critical Mass finalist. She has exhibited at the Atlanta Photography Group and has been featured in Shots Magazine and the Atlanta Center for Photography’s photobook New South.

Stephanie’s current project, The Lost Family, is a powerful exploration of family structures and the growing mental health crisis among today’s youth. Through film-based photography, she examines the isolation felt by both parents and children, connecting these struggles to urgent issues such as rising youth depression and suicide rates. Her work not only sheds light on these challenges but also fosters community and advocacy. During this project, she has helped families share their stories and connect with critical resources.

Using a Rolleiflex medium-format camera gifted by her father, Stephanie embraces the timeless artistry of analog photography to explore themes of legacy, intergenerational connection, and cultural shifts. Her images ask urgent questions about the toll of individualism on families, offering a moving testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the power of storytelling. Her use of long exposures and blur replicate the real storm modern American families are experiencing in isolation.