Bookshelves of Britain
A photography project
What’s in a bookshelf?
Public yet private, curated yet organic, bookshelves are an ever-changing reflection of identity in our homes.
Bookshelves occupy a unique cultural position, shaped by aspiration, memory, guilt, pride, and habit. In 2026, for the National Year of Reading, I am embarking on a nationwide exploration of the bookshelves in our homes. Bookshelves of Britain (working title) is a documentary project that aims to create a snapshot of our relationship with reading and the contradictory space of the private bookshelf.
By photographing portraits of bookshelves, I am also photographing portraits of the people they belong to: their lives, their tastes, their interests, their personalities – without their faces ever being shown.
This project is less interested in what people read than how they live with books and objects. Bookshelves of Britain sits at the intersection of photography and sociology, exploring the performance of self in domestic space.
I’m looking for contributors around the country willing for me to photograph their bookshelves.
Who are you?
I am a documentary filmmaker and photographer. I have won awards for my film work – feel free to explore this website to see what I’ve done.
What does this project involve?
The project involves me visiting homes around the country and photographing bookshelves, like the image shown.
Why are you doing this?
I find bookshelves fascinating, and I want to find out what this space means in a world that is lived mostly online. Through this piece of art I hope to explore identity in a neutral and non-judgemental way.
What do you need from me if I participate?
I have a light and a camera, and I would come to your home for about 30-60 minutes. I will only be photographing your bookshelf – your address and any sensitive data will not be photographed or shared. If you are comfortable and have time, I would like to also record some audio, discussing with you your relationship with reading and with your bookshelves. This audio may be used in the creation of an accompanying film.
My bookshelf doesn’t look very nice, or it doesn’t have many books on it.
That doesn’t matter. This is not a competition of ‘who has the prettiest bookshelf.’ Any person with any bookshelf – even if you haven’t read any books in the last ten years – has a story to tell.
Where will the photos by shown?
TBC. I will be compiling a selection of photographs into an exhibition – either online, in person, or perhaps both. I would like to also produce a limited print photography book. Not every photograph will make it into the final selection. The project is still in its early stages, and at the moment the final output depends on how many people are interested in participating. I will be able to update participants with specifics later in the year.
Will I be paid for this?
This project is unpaid. If your bookshelf is included in the final selection you will be credited with your name.
What is the timeline?
I will be photographing bookshelves for the rest of 2026.
I would like to take part. What do I do?
Feel free to email me! I’d love to hear a little bit about you, where in the UK you are based, and see a picture of your bookshelf. I don’t bite! hello@thomaswinward.com.
