Dear Photograph [Hardcover]

Taylor Jones (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 8, 2012

“Taylor Jones has found a new way to tell our stories. Dear Photograph is digital nostalgia of the highest order—it will make you smile, maybe cry, and go find your old family photos.”
—Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret

“Dear Photograph is a nostalgia bomb-bursting, brain cell-twisting, heartstring-pulling roller coaster ride into the emotional unknown. Taylor Jones taps into our secret fears, quiet dreams, and loving pasts.”
—Neil Pasricha, author of The Book of Awesome

Based on the hugely popular website DearPhotograph.com—the internet phenomenon that was named one of the 50 Best Websites of 2011 by Time.com and selected as the #1 Website of 2011 on CBS TV’s “The Early Show”—Dear Photograph by Taylor Jones is a charming, heartwarming celebration of the memories we all cherish. Including more than 70% of new, never before published photos, Dear Photograph is a gift of love and remembering.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Taylor Jones has found a new way to tell our stories. Dear Photograph is digital nostalgia of the highest order—it will make you smile, maybe cry, and go find your old family photos.” (Frank Warren, PostSecret founder )

“Dear Photograph is a nostalgia bomb-bursting, braincell-twisting, heartstring-pulling roller coaster ride into the emotional unknown. Taylor Jones taps into our secret fears, quiet dreams, and loving pasts. These photos remind us that we’re human and remind us that’s okay.” (Neil Pasricha, author of The Book of Awesome )

From the Back Cover

We all have moments we wish we could relive. We'd give anything to skid down the toboggan hills of our youth, to breathe in the smell of our children as babies, or to spend just one more minute with someone we've lost. Dear Photograph provides a way to link these memories from the past to the present, overlapping them to see how the daydreams of our memories collide with our current realities.

The idea is simple: hold up a photograph from the past in front of the place where it was originally taken, take a second photograph, and add a sentence of dedication about what the photograph means to you. The results, however, are astounding, which is why millions have flocked to dearphotograph.com and thousands have submitted their own Dear Photographs.

This stunning visual compilation includes more than 140 never-before-seen Dear Photographs, as well as a space for you to attach your own cherished photo. By turns nostalgic, charming, and poignant, Dear Photograph evokes childhood memories, laments difficult losses, and, above all, celebrates the universal nature of love.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062131699
• ISBN-13: 978-0062131690
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1.3 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Equipment, Techniques & Reference > Professional

More About the Author

22-year-old TAYLOR JONES was inspired to start DearPhotograph.com as he flipped through old family photos at his parents' kitchen table. When he came across an image of his brother sitting at that very same table, he lifted it up and snapped a picture of the picture. In a moment, the idea for DearPhotograph.com was born. After taking a few more photographs, Taylor posted them on a website and asked people to submit their own renditions--but he had no idea of the reaction he would get. In just 6 short weeks, millions of people had visited, hundreds had submitted, and Taylor had created an Internet phenomenon that had captured the world's attention.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories echo in the present... and we weep for those we love, and those we've never met May 10, 2012

By James Andrews

Format:Hardcover

When memories of the past come echoing into the present, tears fill the eyes. Remorse, regret, longing and nostalgia fill the heart. Old forgotten scents fill the nostrils. Sounds long silent become audible again.

Each picture from the past, when held up to the very spot in which it was taken -- in the light of today -- gains a new luminance. And the viewers of this book are allowed to share these moments of the past juxtaposed with the present... and the private becomes shared and universal. The photograph of a stranger's long-dead father becomes strangely moving when superimposed on the same old sofa he used to sit in. And we never knew the man.

Highly recommended for anyone who wishes to be taken on a journey of nostalgia and unexpected discovery. And don't be surprised if you find yourself weeping over a picture of a lost parent, lover, friend, or brother of someone you've never met.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book! May 9, 2012

By Lauren H.

Format:Hardcover

Dear Photograph is a photography based book created by Canadian, Taylor Jones. This book is a beautiful piece and I'm happy to have found a convenient and permanent home for it on my coffee table. I'm thrilled when guests are over and pick it up because I know that they too will find the book emotionally touching and well put together.

The captions under each of the submitted photographs completes the story told through the images. One thing that particularly caught my eye was the date stamp in the lower corner of an image of the twin towers and New York City sight line. It was taken September 10, 2001... The day before 9/11.

Dear Photograph has many other amazing submissions in it too and I found myself laughing crying and still thinking about its impact on me even after I finally put it down. I highly recommend!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique approach to life that's rich with personality May 16, 2012

By Anthony O'Brien

Format:Hardcover

I've been following Dear Photograph for a very long time now and I was overjoyed to hear that Taylor Jones was publishing a book from his extremely popular website. To add icing on the cake I submitted a photograph to his website months ago and needless to say I was speechless to learn that it was selected to be in the book! I'm extremely honored and humbled to have my photo and story shared amongst so many other meaningful photos that speak way more than 1000 words for anyone who takes a moment to gaze and wonder at these pages. I have already spent hours taking in every single page and every single one had a stronger impact than the last. A beautiful book, a great conversation piece, and a phenomenal inspiration for everyone to hold on to their cherished memories.