Ciao Joel, how are you?
I’m good, I’m sort of anxious because my partner and I are preparing to move cities in the next few months and there’s a lot to think about.

What is photography for you?
I’m sure the meaning of photography for me will evolve over time, but at the moment it’s a way to understand and connect with something on a much deeper level. It’s a way beyond just looking. The experiences you gain and what you learn through photography often makes the act of photographing secondary. I hope that one day I can make photographs that parallel the stories behind them.

What is The Hammer about?
The Hammer is a document of Hamilton, a Canadian city that was defined by the steel industry beginning in the early 1900s and has been going through a major transformation in the last 10 years as steel production moves overseas. Now only one steel producer remains. It’s an important place to me as it’s acted as a backdrop to many memorable moments in my life. I hope to publish the resulting photographs in book form in addition to the short stories that I have written based on my experiences in the city over the years.

Where can you be found online?
You can find me at my website and on Instagram.