Self Publishing Advisor

OPP—Other People’s Photography

In the early months of this year, I began working with a client who is a professional photographer in the art world.  His second book will be available in late August or early September—both are self-published.  He is considering re-publishing the first (through my favorite self-publishing group) in order to take advantage of the new marketing methods.  I am extremely excited for him; not only because his art-photography is exceptional, but also because he is doing the manuscript preparation work in order to promote excellence in photography within the next generations.  An amazing legacy, indeed!

As he and I are crafting his book—placement of photographs with his accompanying verses—he has reminded me of the beauty of our surroundings.  Even the simplest of things (such as a garden crocus or ripples at the water’s edge) can bring peace and inspiration to the viewer.  So it is that once again I am justified in storing the hundreds (well, maybe a thousand or more) photos I’ve collected over the years.  Some of these saved photographic treasures are in calendar form, giving me a vision of castle estates in Ireland; waterfalls from Argentina, New Zealand; the mountains of Colorado; and space views from the Hubble Telescope.

I’m just sayin’ do you have your own photo collection yet?  If not, why not?  I am one of those folks who is just not a world-traveler and yet I love seeing the world and learning as much about it as my brain can absorb.  Then, when I’m writing (creatively constructing) a scene—whether from someone’s real life or within a fictional setting—I can look through my photo collection and visualize the place.  I can imagine the sounds within that environment, the tastes in the air and the texture of grasses, trees, stone walls, pine fences, etc.

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to categorize my photos so that I can find them when needed; there is nothing worse than not being able to locate images when you need them.

1. Family pictures (always top on my list)
2. Parks and “playgrounds” (the concept of playgrounds can be most anything that reminds you of where you’ve had FUN, such as amusement parks, hiking trails, backyard BBQs, dances, theatre performances etc.)
3. Trees: this is a “seasonal” collection for me; but for the tree expert this could also  be categorized by tree species.
4. Clouds: weather patterns create amazing cloud formations that can “tell” all sorts of fanciful stories.
5. Places: this category can be divided into multiple sub-categories such as—houses/castles, barns, landmarks, streets (famous and not-so-famous), state capitols, bridges…and lots of others that only you will notice.
6. Sunrises/Sunsets: these two times of the day seem to inspire me and many authors.
7. Space (as in Outer Space)…where more humans will travel.
8. Critters: I have shared my life with several 4-legged friends. Their antics can stir up most any flat story scene.

Of course, there are as many photo collection categories as there are photographers and authors.  Each and every one will help us motivate the writing gifts within us.  WRITE ON, fellow authors.  WRITE ON!

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.