Photographer Chadwick Tyler finds the poetry in small-town America

There’s an awful lot to like about American photographer Chadwick Tyler – his name, his wonderful work, and the first answer he gives during this 2009 interview with Dazed.

It’s also interesting that Chadwick isn’t one of those photographers who grew up with a camera in his hand – in fact he was 30 and working in advertising and art direction when he first became interested in the art form, studying under still-life photographer Larry Wittek.

We came across him thanks to a bulletin from the Mini Title agency with which he has recently signed and it’s been a while since I was so engrossed in a portfolio. His clients include fashion brands like Levi’s, Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs as well as magazines ranging from Dazed and Another to Garage and W Magazine but his work is eclectic without appearing dilettante. There are sexy models in sultry fashion shoots for sure – but there are also wonderfully evocative photographs of small-town America; of lonely diners and “Jesus is coming” signs. Hell Chadwick can even make a crumpled receipt in an empty shopping trolley feel poetic.