I’ve just finished shooting a series of portraits designed to challenge assumptions about the gender profiles associated with specific jobs.

Quiz

Because they are continuously reinforced by the reality that they create, such assumptions are self-perpetuating. Women don’t work on building sites because… women don’t work on building sites. Showing a woman who does work on building sites can help to break down these entrenched ideas. Look at the portraits above, and try to guess which of these people a) is a carpenter, b) runs a crèche, c) teaches belly-dancing, d) conducts an orchestra, e) teaches weaving, f) is a sound technician. The answers are below.

It’s been a fascinating project to shoot. I have enormous respect for the subjects, each of whom has had to overcome personal and institutional prejudice in order to pursue their chosen career. They have needed persistence and courage. And their willingness to participate in the project demonstrates their desire to make the path easier for those that follow them.

My clients for the project are the Gemeenschapscentrum Ten Noey in Saint-Josse and Femma Brussels. The photographs will be used in a workshop and shown in an exhibition in Evere as part of the Printemps des Femmes during March 2020.

Answers