Portraits Of Small-Towners Wearing High Fashion By Tom Johnson

For the series ‘Merthyr Rising‘, London-based photographer Tom Johnson teamed up with stylist Charlotte James to shoot portraits of people living in the small town of Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, UK. In order to show a more positive image of the ex-mining town, the locals were styled in a mix of vintage and high fashion pieces. In an interview about the project, James says: “Merthyr Tydfil is the town where I grew up in the Welsh Valleys. It has many wonderful features, including a rich history and amazing landscapes but possibly its defining characteristic is the heart of its people. Merthyr has a strong spirit and quality that I have yet to find elsewhere. People are friendly and welcoming. It isn’t the work shy town that gets portrayed in the media.”

All images © Tom Johnson