C&S Sourdough

C&S Sourdough outside York City Walls at 36 Fishergate

When Paul asked me to spend a morning documenting his new bakery and the process of making his loaves I was excited. I knew there is a real skill in bread making after several failed attempts at home, but Paul showed me that there is true craftmanship that goes into making all the sourdough products he stocks in his bakery.

Usually Paul works through the night weighing out, proofing and baking all his loaves. So I was lucky that I didn’t have to get up in the middle of the night and still got to document a lot of the stages and work that goes into creating his artisan products over the course of the morning we spent together.

The benefits of a documentary session are that I will work around you. As documentary sessions can be a little longer than standard photo shoots it allows time to really capture all the processes and parts of your business which are important to you. I work in a discreet way, I try not to get in your way while still capturing all the details for you. This was definitely the case at C&S Sourdough which is a small bakery and was open as usual so I was mindful of the customers coming in and out and his son who was in the pram having a nap (if you look closely you will see him nestled near the front of the shop).

The highlight of my morning was definitely seeing the finished product and the warm loaves going straight onto the shelves. I cannot describe the delicious smell that emanated from the oven… you will have to go and experience it for yourself.

Paul really has built a business with family at the heart of everything that he does. While I was at the bakery his youngest son had the longest nap in history and woke just in time as the loaves were coming out the oven to taste test them - it must have been the mouth watering smell that woke him.

Paul with his youngest son

C&S Sourdough is open every Thursday - Sunday from 7am until they sell out. Oh, and it is not just bread that Paul fills the bakery with, there are delicious sourdough sweet treats too - I can highly recommend the cinnamon buns!

I am a documentary photographer based in York. If you would like to discuss how we could work together please get in tough either by emailing hello@annamehtaphotography.co.uk or through the contact form on my website.