While photographing surgeries for The University of Chicago Medicine, Porter-Woodruff became fascinated with the power of the hand and its relationship to science, health, and technology. This interest influenced her project, Portraits: Working Hands, which is guided by the hand’s role in brain development, emotion, and creativity. Across the series, she highlights the hands of basketball players, chefs, and others, to celebrate the fundamental tools that bring creativity to life. In a society in which hands sign into law discriminatory policies, cause harm, and more, through this series Porter-Woodruff explores how hands also facilitate moments of gentleness and care.