Catch Light (and Catching Up!)

Hello, friends!

Here's hoping this finds you happy, cozy, and well. It's so good to have the clean slate of 2021, isn't it?!

As somebody who is firmly entrenched in social media (reluctantly, I confess), I frequently forget that not everybody is on Instagram or Facebook. Believe me, though, I totally understand the non-joiners. As an introvert, I have a long-standing love/hate relationship with online sharing and I often daydream of deleting all of my accounts and retreating to the woods, Thoreau-style. As an online business person, though, it would be (as my grandma used to say) "cutting off my nose to spite my face." So, I'm in, like it or not.

All of this is to say: If you're not on social media, I want to share some good news with you that you've probably missed.

First and foremost, last December, I launched my own magazine! It's called Catch Light: Creative Inspiration for Photographers & Visual Artists, and I'm thrilled to bits with how the premiere issue turned out! More like a softcover book, it has glossy pages, feels amazing in your hands, and looks downright gorgeous on coffee tables!

Volume One of Catch Light features:

Beautiful photographs and illustrations by 38 artists from all around the world
In-depth interviews with South African fine art photographer Jennifer Graham, London illustrator Cathryn Worrell, Brooklyn-born visual artist and photographer Cintia Malhotra, and Chicago-based illustrator Kristina Swarner
10 book recommendations to inspire creativity and sharpen your awareness
18 musical selections for the perfect studio soundtrack
3 photo backdrops you can use for still lifes
A "Class Reunion" featuring the photos of 12 of my students (I can't wait to feature more students in future issues!)
And a few more surprises!

Here's the link to order the premiere issue of Catch Light: Creative Inspiration for Photographers & Visual Artists:

https://tinyurl.com/y2d2hjel

With the pandemic raging on, we've all seen far too many small businesses close their doors. One of my very favorite things in the world is independent bookstores, so in an effort to lend a hand during these trying times, I've opened up an online bookshop that channels revenue to small, independent booksellers across the United States (instead of Amazon, which clearly doesn't need any more help). I get a very small cut if you order a book at the link below, but the big winners are the little bookstores, so I do hope you'll check it out before you order on Amazon. I've added many of my favorite books on creativity, photography, visual arts, meditation, mindfulness, and overall inspiration.

Browse books here to support independent bookstores:

https://bookshop.org/shop/catchlightwithjoy

Last but not least, I want to share my most-liked photograph of 2020 with you...