The photographic approach in Small Trades is characterized by precise, formal portraits that document everyday workers in a straightforward and respectful manner. Irving Penn focuses intently on the individuality of his subjects while capturing the detailed visual markers of their professions, often set against plain backgrounds that emphasize their attire and tools.

Exploring themes of labor and identity, the images reveal the physical presence and dignity of tradespeople from diverse occupations, highlighting both the uniqueness and universality of their roles. The work fosters a quiet dialogue on class and the nature of work through visual simplicity and compositional rigor.

The book, published by Getty Publications in 2009 and spanning 272 pages, offers an extensive collection of these carefully composed photographs, presenting a sustained inquiry into the portrayal of small trades across different contexts.