Class Pictures investigates the dynamics of group identity and shared experience through a series of portraits capturing school classes over time. Dawoud Bey employs a formal, composed visual style that highlights the individuality within collective settings, focusing on the nuances of youth and social belonging.

The photographs elicit contemplation on themes of memory, growth, and the construction of personal and communal narratives in educational environments. The mood is one of reflection, inviting viewers to consider the subtle interplay of personalities within a structured group framework.

Published in 2018 and spanning 163 pages, Class Pictures presents a focused exploration of photographic portraiture as a means to document and interpret social history.