I just spent the last few weeks putting together a book. That's right, a book.
I honestly didn't think I'd try anything like that right after publishing my first book. That project took five years of shooting, working, plotting courses, pulling hair, and most of this was done before Daylight even contacted me about possibly printing it. That said, self-publishing something can be fun, enjoyable, and not always break the bank.
Do I feel like this will sell? Well, I honestly wouldn't have done it if I didn't feel confident about it, but who cares if it sells? Don't get me wrong, being able to make money is good. I hope one day to make far more money from my work than I currently do, but that isn't why I create. That isn't why ANY OF US create. We make work, projects, and series to get things out of ourselves. We need to release something inside us that we can't express in any ordinary way. Art is our release, our medicine, our personalities.
When we left to go on vacation, I didn't realize that I needed it that badly. If you had asked me beforehand, I would have told you we were going away for way too long and that, after two years of pandemic and three rescheduling of said trip, we should just stay home. I was wrong. In fact, I feel like it was just barely the right amount of time... at least for me. My wife and I both agree, though, that it was something we all needed.
What I didn't realize, though, was the amount of creative stifling I had built up. That's not to say that I didn't have good reasons. There is everyday life to deal with, a book that I had been working on, and countless other things. However, like so many others, the titanic shifts, often unrealized, caused by the last two years, helped put me in a place of uncertainty that was beginning to drive me up a wall (even if I didn't tell anyone). This vacation eased all of that, though.
It took a few days, but once I shook the cobwebs off, I was shooting like crazy. The best thing about it was that there was no expectation from anyone, including myself. Don't get me wrong, in the moment, when I want to get that one image, I might get a little on edge if I can't get where I want to, but for the most part, the whole process is relaxing and pure enjoyment.
Long story short, though, I realized at the end of this fabulous break from the every day that I had amassed a decent collection of images from this trip. On top of that, they didn't seem to be just a good image here and a good one there, but they moved and worked together. Unconsciously, I produced a group of photos that I could make something of.
However, the whole book idea didn't entirely come out of thin air. I had been asked by someone on the trip, which we already knew, if they could purchase an image from the journey upon our return. I didn't let that guide me, at least consciously, but it did help me realize that I could edit this into a book. It could be almost like a personal photo album that I could share with anyone who cared to take a look... and also our friend.
In the end, though, the book is just a byproduct of what we all need sometimes; a break. We all need time, be it an extended vacation, a weekend getaway, or an overnighter. Hell, you don't even have to leave town. Just get out of your normal space and routine for a bit. Allow yourself to let go and feel the fun, fresh, and relaxing feelings that are the reasons many of us create and make. It's not always easy to do, but it is something in which I think we can all find value.
[As for the book, I'm still waiting for my copy. I did it just for me as an outlet, but I'm eager to share it if the printing quality is satisfactory. I'll update this and, most likely, post a notice in a future blog when/if it is available to the public. Contact me if you want more info.]
