01_ Sophie Green, 20, Fareham, Student Teacher

Sophie Green, 20, Fareham, Student Teacher

11_Sophie Green, 20, Norfolk, Student

Sophie Green, 20, Norfolk, Student

For her ongoing project, I Am Sophie Green, London-based photographer Sophie Green creates an archive of individuals who go by the same name. Beginning in late 2011, the project has lead her to various areas in England in search of a broader understanding of the self as reflected in this arbitrary network of people born with her first and last name.

To find her subjects, Green conducted a search of registered voters and scoured social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. She contacted each Sophie Green first online, then allowed their relationship to evolve by phone and email, making her intentions clear from the start; a few of them identified with the project right away, while others required some convincing. Each had a different history and diverse life experiences. Most were young, in their 20s and 30s, due to the nature of the websites Green frequented, but she hopes to continue the project with women of all ages.

While initial meetings can be awkward, Green explains that her conversations with each subject were organic, frank, and candid. They were surprisingly vulnerable and shared bits and pieces of their life stories. Says Green, “It was almost like sharing a name broke down social barriers and brought an intimacy between us.”

While each Sophie unveils portions of her distinctive character, the unpredictability and anonymity of any given name comes to the fore. This crowd of Sophies, scattered about the country, emerge as the lonesome pieces of a puzzle not yet pieced together, bound to one another by some ineffable force.

02_Sophie Green, 30, Sussex, PR Publicist

Sophie Green, 30, Sussex, PR Publicist

03_Sophie Green, 20, Bournemouth, Nursery Nurse

Sophie Green, 20, Bournemouth, Nursery Nurse

04_Sophie Green, 27, Notting Hill, London, Environmental Campaigner

Sophie Green, 27, Notting Hill, London, Environmental Campaigner

05_Sophie Green, 24, Sheffield

Sophie-Green, 24, Sheffield

06_Sophie Green, 31, Forest Hill, London, Social Worker

Sophie Green, 31, Forest Hill, London, Social Worker

07_Sophie Green, 18, Sheffield, At School

Sophie Green, 18, Sheffield, At School

08_ Sophie Green, 37, Liverpool, Artist

Sophie Green, 37, Liverpool, Artist

09_Sophie Green, 23, Waterloo, London, Social Researcher

Sophie Green, 23, Waterloo, London, Social Researcher

10_SelfPortrait_Sophie Green, 21, Camberwell, London, Photographer

Sophie Green, 21, Camberwell, London, Photographer

12_Sophie Green, 19, Oxford, Graphic Design Student

Sophie Green, 19, Oxford, Graphic Design Student

13_Sophie Green, 18, Gloucestershire, Student

Sophie Green, 18, Gloucestershire, Student

All images © Sophie Green

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