why are they posed like that? with those facial expressions?
you have to realize they are being sexualized
i don't know any child that would naturally have a serious expression on their face looking over their shoulder while taking their shirt off like that
not natural. natural is kids running around laughing and playing - natural is not kids splayed out on the deck looking at the camera the way an adult model would
i understand the argument that it is the gaze of the adult that sexualizes them and no one should look at kids doing anything and think "no! that's wrong!" but i counter that argument with the fact that it is the gaze of the camera, the way they are positioned and posed as models, their deliberately "serious" facial expressions, the lack of color in the photos, which lends a darker portrayal that overall sexualize them. this is the work of the photographer.
compare these images with normal "kids at the lake" images
this is not normal. this is not natural. and we have every right to point it out and do whatever we can to stop this from happening in magazines as popular as vogue. not ok. not to mention this is "teen" vogue and these girls are absolutely too young to be posing for them.