Grapevine, Texas-based photographer Tadd Myers began the American Craftsman project in his home state back in 2008. It started with six companies made up of people who still make a living off of beautiful, handcrafted items. After the initial six companies, Tadd thought the project was all but over and that he would move on “just like any other project.”
Then, it took on a life of its own. Tadd was contacted by a friend and client who let him know that he had started making leather belts — partly because he was inspired by Tadd’s project, and partly because he was inspired by his own father who had handmade items in his garage for decades. At this point, Tadd realized that this project could be much more than a way to showcase the interesting process behind handmade items. It could be an inspiration for others to create beautiful, personal work and carry on family legacies of their own.
Seven years later, Tadd has documented more than thirty small businesses across America (some on assignment, some not) and the project has become a huge part of his career. Everything from handmade hats, to leather belts, to grand pianos, to baseball gloves and banjos— if it’s handcrafted, Tadd has probably seen it. Two years ago, he published a major book focusing on these craftsmen’s stories, and he recently came out with a TEDxTalk on the impact of the project on him, his subjects, and his audience.
American Craftsman has become “as much about the stories as it is about the imagery.” One of my favorite quotes from Tadd’s talk explains the true value of the project:
Not everyone has to fit into the mold of what the ‘american dream’ has become over the years. These craftsmen live in a very different capacity than the average American. They aren’t defined by monetary value- rather, they realize that having something tangible every day to show for their work has value. Not all payments are necessarily counted in dollars. Their work enriches their lives and continues a family legacy.
For more about the project and Tadd’s other work, visit his website.
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