Never in my wildest dreams did I think my first book would actually be books, plural. I look at my two piles of author’s copies currently living on my sideboard and wonder did i really make that happen? And did I get any sleep while doing it?! (Answer: not very much.)
I’ve got a few things planned for This I Know (which has its first reviews on Amazon!) but today I want to get a bit misty eyed about Instant Love, the love letter to Polaroid/instant photography I co-wrote with my friends Jen Altman and Amanda Gilligan. I don’t even remember when the three of us first connected, but connect we did, through admiring each other’s photos on Flickr and leaving the occasional blog comment. When Jen emailed asking if we’d consider collaborating on a book about Polaroids there was only one possible answer. We bashed out a proposal and a sample chapter and sent it over to Chronicle Books, where we had the very good fortune to work with Bridget Watson Payne, Art books editor and all-round delightful chica.
When we wrote the book the three of us had never actually met in person (Jen and Amanda had spent an afternoon in Vancouver, but that was it). In fact we had just one Skype call and about 50,000 emails; it wasn’t until we led our Polaroid retreat in Marrakesh back in February that we finally got to hug each other in person. So the book is truly a testament to collaboration, communication, hard work and three photographers whose styles work so beautifully together.
The book is now out in the world and last I heard it’s already gone to a second printing, which is amazing! I love the thought that so many of you out there are dusting off your old Polaroid cameras and giving this medium a whirl. It can be frustrating at times, and requires a lot of patience and practice, but it is SO WORTH IT.
Because the logistics of doing a book tour together made our brains ache, we made a trailer for our book baby instead. Filmed by the ridiculously talented Ryan Marshall, we hope it gives you a taster of what the book is all about (click here to view it BIG — and please do share it if you like it :) x
Trailer credits:
Video by Ryan Marshall @ The Panic Room
Music: ‘Camera’ by Rabbit, www.saverabbit.com | Buy the song on iTunes
It’s perfect, I love the music too!! This is definitely on my wish list.
Guess what I’m holding in my hands ?!?!?!? Your lovely book just arrived and it is absolutely beautiful! I can’t WAIT to dive right into it!
Mia
Love the video…really nice!
This trailer turned out great! I’m so excited to finally share this gem with all of my new-to-Polaroid friends. :-)
WOW-WOW-WOW-WOW-WOW!!
I’ve never seen a more beautiful, inspiring book trailer. It’s perfect for this project. The song just made me smile so much! And I loved the feel of how the book will mirror what happened in the trailer — someone standing right beside you, helping you learn how to use the camera in your own life.
Much love to you, beautiful, brave girl. xo
I JUST received your book in the mail 5 minutes ago. SQUEEEAAAL! It looks fabulous Susannah. And the film by Ryan–yes he was perfect choice for it :). Beautifully done Ryan.
xo
beautiful trailer…now I need to get my hands on the BOOK!
I really liked the video. I’m still looking forward to receiving my books. Can’t wait to dive in to them both!
I am very much excited to read that book. I love the book trailer clip :)
Love the video! I just started reading the book. When I returned home from work today…..tada…”This I Know” was waiting for me. I am soooo happy…both of your books within days of each other. Thanks so much!
Perfect!!!!!
how exciting! the video is awesome; love how it’s not just ‘here’s our book’ it’s ‘here’s a story featuring the book’.
makes me want to get some film for our pola and start shooting! :)
just started reading instant love over the weekend. and now watching this trailer…goosebumps! it is all so beautiful and brilliant…
Oooh how lovely! I kept thinking I didn’t really need the book as I don’t have a working Polaroid, but I do have a love of inspiratioin and I think this will fit the bill! I suppose it’s no help if the instant camera I have is an Instax?!
we mention Instax in the book too :)
Oh, Suseeee this little film is already a pieces of art, amazing job you all did. Wear your crown today, every day you deserve it, Instantqueen :-)