The High School Standard

For his latest SSENSE editorial, photographer Danko Steiner reimagines the classic high school portrait. Corporate shoulders stage the imminent burden of structure, paired with the rebelliousness of buffed leather boots. Set against a blanched background, the items are coaxed to life as one might a sensitive subject. Owning awkwardness is almost better than having none. The tension of being a spot-lit muse is a balancing act, setting out to blur the lines of a new standard.