Despite the preppy ’80s aesthetic, Brooke DiDonato’s photos speak directly to a contemporary ennui. An absurdly long rotary phone cord wraps a woman in a floral dress to the point of immobility, while another figure stands atop a stack of books so tall their head shoots through the attic. The photographer (previously) is known for her uncanny compositions that twist what appears like a typical encounter with a bookish friend or chain-link fence into a strange, confounding scene.

DiDonato’s first monograph is currently funding on Volume, a publisher that functions similarly to Kickstarter and asks buyers to back the project before printing begins. Characteristically titled Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer, the book provides an overview of the artist’s disorienting photos and insight into her practice and process.

Find more of DiDonato’s work and glimpses behind the scenes on Instagram.