What inspired you to start publishing books?
Necessity as much as anything. Photography is my compulsion. Has been since art school in the late 80s. Photobooks are the best vessel for showcasing work, as far as I'm concerned. I've always yearned to make things. Handmaking photobooks was a logical step.
What draws you to the photobook as a format?
Photobooks allow me to enjoy an exhibition of photography all by myself. Producing my own books therefore allows others to enjoy an exhibition of my work all by themselves.
How has your practice changed over time?
I started as a staff news photographer before moving to longer form documentary work. I also worked in commercial property across office, retail and industrial using photography, video and drones. Now I work entirely on my personal projects with a view to producing beautiful handmade books and prints for discerning collectors around the world.
What's a book you've been involved with that surprised you — either in how it came together or how it landed?
I produced a book called Hinterland some years back that involved a commercial printer for the page sheets. I then trimmed, bound and covered the books before selling them via my website. I produced 40 books this way and they all sold. I made additional books using my own bottle fed printer which I thought were even better, having learned so much the first time. Since then I have developed a particular lay-flat binding technique which is now being widely used after I released a tutorial.
What's next for you?
I have several projects in development for books. In August I will speak on a panel at FujiFilm House of Photography with colleagues and peers from The Photobook Club Collective on the various approaches our group has to photobook publishing. I'm also hoping to bring prints to my collector base. Though I was showed in Photo London in 25 and 26, I plan to take a more folk art approach to my work rather than the big festivals which are a bit pretentious and elitist. I will concentrate instead on photobook and zine specific events.