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You may recognize some of the 40 people that Montclair photographer Phil Cantor captured in his new "Line of Work" series debuting this month at The Gallery at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NJ Properties.
All 40 people live or work near his Lackawanna Plaza studio.
The show is inspired by renowned fashion photographer Irving Penn's photo series "Small Trades," which depicted an army of tradesmen in 1951 in Paris, London and New York.
"'Line of Work' is a series of portraits highlighting the jobs that we choose for ourselves and how they shape us into who we are," Cantor said.
"Over two years, I've documented the denizens of Montclair, their pride in their work, their joy and the way they view themselves (versus the way the world might view them).
"I’m doing away with their usual environments and placing people into the detached space of a photography studio, allowing us to observe them without distraction."
Cantor used a single light source and a self-imposed set of rules, capturing 21st century professions, ranging from a pizza baker to firefighter, baseball umpire to museum director, hairdresser to escape artist, he said.
An opening reception is scheduled this month at Berkshire Hathaway and will include a live jazz performance with light refreshments.
Line of Work: Berkshire Hath. Gallery, 695 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, opening reception June 13, 6 to 8 p.m.
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