For a year, Laura Pannack closely followed Baruch, a young man navigating the complex path of leaving the Orthodox Jewish community to begin a new chapter in life.

The result is a series of intimate single-frame portraits, many captured from behind, echoing both his quiet departure and the courage it takes to walk into the unknown. These images speak to the tension between freedom and fear—the liberation of self-discovery alongside the ache of leaving behind a clearly defined world.

Pannack worked in close collaboration with Baruch, staging many of the photographs in settings rich with personal and symbolic meaning. A short film extends the visual narrative, deepening the project’s metaphorical lens.

By sharing Baruch’s story, Pannack invites viewers to reflect on what it means to live beyond the boundaries of expectation.

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Laura Pannack lives and works in London. Known for her evocative portraiture and social documentary photography, she explores the nuanced and often intimate connection between photographer and subject. Her work has been widely exhibited and published internationally, with shows at venues such as the National Portrait Gallery, Somerset House, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. Pannack’s work has earned numerous accolades, including the World Press Photo Award, the Julia Margaret Cameron Award, and the HSBC Prix de la Photographie.