Nadia Burek

As big sisters and second mothers, eldest daughters-especially in immigrant families-grow up fast. Constantly fighting for balance between familial and cultural responsibilities and the individualistic mindset rooted in American society, their identities are molded before they have had the chance to explore. This photographic typology project blends documentary and performance, offering a space for first-generation eldest daughters to explore alternative identities. The Best Daughter in the World is a tribute to resilience, self-discovery, and the endless possibilities of individuality. Through self-expression and play, it asks: If given the chance, who might we have become?

Nadia Burek is a Polish-American photographer based in Chicago and New York, whose interests lie in highlighting the vibrant people that make this world so interesting to live in.