The Little Book of Camden Passage

Photography Book Celebrates the People and Personality of London’s Camden Passage

I've lived in Islington for over 20 years and photography has helped me become a real part of the community. As well as shooting weddings I've always got a couple of personal projects where I indulge my love of photography and sharpen my skill set.

In 2019 I started documenting a charming street close to my home called Camden Passage. It turned into a four-year project resulting in an exhibition and photo book.

After a sell-out first print run, the second edition of The Little Book of Camden Passage is out now. You can read local press articles here: This Is Local London, Ham and High and the Islington Tribune. I also talk about the book with Robert Elms on BBC Radio London.

Available online from Waterstones, and in store at The Upper Street Bookshop, Compane, The Antique Paper Company, Haygen, House of Coco, In Residence or Waterstones Islington.

Interview for BBC Radio London

Watch the "Making Of" video

Inspired by a trip to India

The idea was inspired by photos I took of shop-keepers in Varanasi, India years ago. I did more of that on a subsequent trip to Old Delhi under the direction of Martin Parr and when I returned to London, started to photograph shopkeepers closer to my home. 

I love seeing a person in their environment, surrounded by the things they sell or make. In the case of many independent stores these things represent their passion and their livelihood. Everything they have was wrapped up in this one little shop.

London's Most Charming Street

In 2020 I discovered Camden Passage, a little street close to my home filled with independent shops and market traders. Each one of them has a story to tell. From there it wasn’t long before I turned my camera to the shoppers, the coffee drinks and the passersby. 

After four years in the making, this project has come to represent not only this street but in many ways every High Street and community. It’s about the diverse people who shop, eat and drink on our High Streets and the local business owners who offer not just products but a sense of belonging, safeguarding the essence of community. Streets like this matter. They are the beating heart of local communities where people come together to shop, relax, catch up and support one another. They should be treasured, nurtured and supported by us and when necessary by the government. If we lose them to developers and online shopping giants we’ll lose a vital pillar of community life. Follow Camden Passage on Instagram here.