David Butler - Blacksmith : Editorial Portrait Photography

david butler - blacksmith

Walking into David Butler’s workshop was like stepping back in time. Nothing modern at all, just a large forge in the centre surrounded by metal twisted, shaped and forged into amazing shapes, textures and forms.

David is a very talented blacksmith, and as he said himself is in the very fortunate position of only taking on work that makes him happy, only work that feeds his love of the art of metalworking. Such a joy to hear things like this, and it really does show in his finished work.

Clearly obsessed with his work and with a lifetime of skills, he works happily in his dark and dusty workshop late into the night.

David regaled us with stories of when he used to work on the cold and dangerous trawlers, out in the North Sea in rough conditions at all hours of the day as a young man. He painted a bleak picture of his life growing up as a trawler-man, and once he found his love of metalwork later on in life he enjoyed being able to escape the grip of the coastal winter weather, and live a life by the warm open forge instead creating works of art for himself and his many customers.

Thanks for having us David, and letting us capture a set of portrait photographs.
Photographed for my own personal project on local traditional trades close to home.
David can be found here: https://countryforge.co.uk/ in Diss, South Norfolk