Workbooks 1984-2024 - Nigel Shafran

Nigel Shafran’s photography captures life’s everyday moments with an unmatched blend of simplicity, insight, and wit, often shared through the intimate, tangible form of books. Shafran values the materiality of books, meticulously shaping each one to reflect his aesthetic vision. His process goes beyond traditional photography, as he organizes his ideas by printing, editing, and carefully arranging images into bound volumes that serve as workbooks, diaries, and personal aide-memoires.

These informal books are filled with photographs, sketches, notes, and everyday ephemera, embodying Shafran’s artistic process and his intuitive approach to visual and material composition. Each book, assembled with a deliberate yet unassuming craftsmanship, offers a glimpse into Shafran’s unique organizing principles and his commitment to thoughtful, tactile storytelling. With design by Linda van Deursen, these collections encapsulate the nuanced depth of Shafran’s work in photography.