When a new book is released, like The Ancient Southwest, it means the season of book signings has begun. On Tuesday, March 10, I gave my second slide presentation to an attentive crowd at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ. The renowned bookstore is one of my favorites and is perfectly nestled between Trader Joe’s and Wildflower Bakery, a great example of community planning for a casual and lively place to hangout. Met with my good friends Tory and his artist wife Meg Harper for soup and sandwiches, and with Changing Hands right next door we enjoyed eating outside on the patio in balmy 80-degree spring weather.
A special thank you to bookstore events manager Pinna Joseph for inviting me to do the presentation. After her lovely introduction the nice-sized crowd paid close attention through the visual presentation covering the ancient ruins and rock art of over 50 national parks, national monuments, and other cherished sites. One of the comments I enjoy hearing after a slide show after I’ve shared my stories about getting the images, is how they didn’t realize the work that goes into planning and executing a photo.
To bring back photos of Keet Seel ruin required avoiding quick sand on a 17-mile round-trip overnight hike. The cover photo required hiking 1.5 miles through the dark by the tiny beam of a head lamp for a magical sunrise at Tonto National Monument. And the sunset shot of Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon meant hiring a pilot who assisted me in getting aerial photos . It ain’t easy, but that’s what makes it so much fun. The book talk whet their appetite for the subject and over 20 people went home with a brand new book signed by the photographer.
My next book signing will be Thur, Mar 26, 6:30pm at the Flagstaff Library, 300 W. Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. For more info call: 928-213-2330.