Your craft deserves to be seen properly.
Documentary photography for makers and craftspeople across Sussex
Makers of Sussex
You make things with your hands. Beautiful, considered, skilled things.
But if the imagery representing your work doesn’t match the quality of what you actually create — you’re invisible to the clients who’d pay what it’s really worth.
DIY content gets you seen. Professional images make you credible.
The behind-the-scenes videos, the in-progress shots, the casual reels — keep doing all of it. That content connects, and it works. Authentic, unpolished, real — that’s what social media rewards right now.
But there’s a difference between content that builds an audience and imagery that builds a business. When someone lands on your website, finds you through a stockist, or sees your work for the first time — what do they find?
Professional photography doesn’t replace your everyday content. It sits underneath it. As the foundation that says: I take my craft seriously, and I want you to see it properly.
Mixing both is the strategy. Your DIY content shows the human. Your professional images show the professional. Together, they’re unstoppable.
This is for you if...
- You’re a maker, craftsperson or product-based business based in Sussex.
- You work with your hands — whether that’s fabric, clay, paint, metal, wood, glass or anything in between.
- You’re proud of your work and you’re ready for your imagery to finally match it.
- You want photography that fits the size and spirit of your day — nothing more, nothing less.
The idea behind – and the future of – Makers of Sussex
Sussex has always had makers. People who choose to work with their hands, who build skills over years, who create things that can’t be replicated by a machine or generated by an algorithm. They’re in studios, kitchens, workshops and garden sheds all across this county — and most of them are hiding in plain sight.
Makers of Sussex started as a simple idea: what if I documented them properly? Not just their products, but the people. The hands, the process, the mess, the focus, the joy of making something from nothing.
This is a project I care about deeply – as a documentary photographer, as someone who believes small and independent always beats mass-produced, and as a person who lives and works in this community.
The ambition doesn’t stop at a photography session. Every maker who takes part becomes part of a growing body of work. The long term vision – and I say vision because nothing is guaranteed yet – is to bring these stories together into a physical exhibition and potentially a book. A proper celebration of Sussex craft, in print and on walls, for everyone to see.
We’re building something here. And I’d love you to be part of it.
Meet your photographer
I’m Anja. I’m a documentary photographer based in Worthing, and I’ve spent the last six years helping businesses show up authentically — not as a polished version of themselves, but as the real, skilled, passionate humans they actually are.
I’m inviting a small number of makers to be part of something I genuinely believe in.
PRICING
Photography
£450
Full session, all images delivered
consultation/ questionnaire
documentary shopot at your workspace
You working, in your element, in your best light
Full gallery of edited images delivered
Photography + video
£550
full session, all images delivered, plus short form video
Everything in the photography package
Short form video content of you at work
Edited and unedited clips for social media
Client Love Letters
"Oh my god!!! The photos are amazing!!!! I can’t even put into words how amazing they are! Thank you so so much 😭❤️😍😍😍"
Sam
GOT SOME QUESTIONS?
Where will my session take place?
Your shoot will take place in your own premises – your workspace, workshop or studio. Whether this is your own space or something you rent and share with others doesn’t matter, but the idea is to capture you in the space where you create your craft, projects, or products to give context to your business.
Who counts as maker?
Anyone who “makes” things with their hands – whether you are a seamstress, painter, ceramicist, cobbler, potter, carpenter, jeweller, watchmaker or anything else that requires you to physically produce things by using your hands. And if you’re unsure, just get in touch and let’s chat about what you do.
How many images and videos are included?
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To book your session, a non-refundable 50% deposit is required. The final 50% are due before the shoot.
If this isn’t possible, we can split the payment into 3 (30% at booking), with the final payment due before any images will be delivered.
How long does the shoot actually take?
How much time we spend together totally depends on your craft. Some makers only spend and hour on their products, others might need weeks – while your session will only happen on 1 day, it means we can capture different aspects of you making something which could take a few hours. As a guide, we’ll be looking at roughly 2 hours but depending on what you’re making, this could take a little longer as well.
How long until I receive my images/video?
You will receive your photos and videos within 2-3 weeks of your session via a persoanl online gallery wheer you can doanload everything and use it to promote your business online and offline.
Do I need to tidy/prepare my workspace?
That depends… Your workspace needs to be usable for you during your creating period – whethrr that’s tidy or not, deoends on how you work. You’re more than welcome to keep your studio messy if that works for you. I would recommend tidying up any elements that aren’t relevant to your work like leftovers of food, water bottles, shopping bags and such. Anything that distracts from what you’re doing and has no relevance to your work would feel out of place in the images.
What if I need to rebook or cancel?
If you need to reschedule, please get in touch with me asap. Sometimes life happens and plans need to change. If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, there will be a rescheduling fee.
Sound like the puzzle piece you've been missing?
Tell me a little about yourself and your craft. I’ll be in touch to arrange a quick call so we can make sure we’re a good fit before you commit to anything.
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Inclusion Statement
My business, Anja Poehlmann – photo and film, is a place where everyone is welcome. I strive to create photos and films in a way that makes every person and every family I get to work with, feel safe and accepted just as they are. I run an inclusive business working to create a more diverse and inclusive environment. I’m committed to growing and learning through active dialogue, diverse and inclusive collaborations and feedback.