More than 10 years ago, I began 'Tools for Small Trades' after visiting an exhibition of the work of Irving Penn and purchasing his remarkable book, 'Small Trades'.
Penn's portraits of working men and women made a lasting impression on me. Photographed between fashion assignments, his subjects stood proudly in their work clothes, often holding the tools of their trade. Their clothing and tools combined to tell a complete story about their craft and way of life.
Over the years, I have often found myself drawn to old tools displayed on market stalls and in antique shops. Worn, scarred and polished by decades of use, each one bears the marks of its working life and seems to carry its own unique story in history.
What fascinates me most is their transformation from functional object into something more. Their shapes, textures, worn edges and rich patinas reveal a quiet beauty. To me, these tools are works of art in their own right.
Throughout this series I have sought to photograph tools not simply as objects, but as artefacts of craftsmanship. By isolating and carefully observing each piece, I aim to celebrate both their aesthetic qualities and the generations of skilled hands that gave them purpose.
'Tools for Small Trades' is a tribute to craftsmanship, heritage and the enduring beauty of objects made to serve a purpose.
A4 Book - 40 pages - 36 Images
More than 10 years ago, I began 'Tools for Small Trades' after visiting an exhibition of the work of Irving Penn and purchasing his remarkable book, 'Small Trades'.
Penn's portraits of working men and women made a lasting impression on me. Photographed between fashion assignments, his subjects stood proudly in their work clothes, often holding the tools of their trade. Their clothing and tools combined to tell a complete story about their craft and way of life.
Over the years, I have often found myself drawn to old tools displayed on market stalls and in antique shops. Worn, scarred and polished by decades of use, each one bears the marks of its working life and seems to carry its own unique story in history.
What fascinates me most is their transformation from functional object into something more. Their shapes, textures, worn edges and rich patinas reveal a quiet beauty. To me, these tools are works of art in their own right.
Throughout this series I have sought to photograph tools not simply as objects, but as artefacts of craftsmanship. By isolating and carefully observing each piece, I aim to celebrate both their aesthetic qualities and the generations of skilled hands that gave them purpose.
'Tools for Small Trades' is a tribute to craftsmanship, heritage and the enduring beauty of objects made to serve a purpose.
A4 Book - 40 pages - 36 Images
