Hindsight
The final draft of my first novel was finished in the late summer/fall of 2023, but that wasn’t my first book. My first book started as what I thought would be a cute little photo essay documenting a quick two-week quarantine in March 2020. I had no idea what was to come.
Hindsight started as a documentary project during lockdown in Los Angeles. I knew we were living through a capital H Historic moment, and I felt it would be important to create something during that time. I was living my Midwest girl dreams in an idyllic little studio apartment under the Hollywood Sign, but even the best dreams can turn into nightmares. But as the weeks turned into months, my petite apartment turned into a claustrophobic cell, and I was battling almost daily panic attacks. My only relief came in my nearly daily photo walks. My camera became a shield; it allowed me to create distance between myself and the world. I could observe what was happening but not be a part of it. At least, that’s what I told myself at the time.
It’s interesting thinking back on that period of my life. Today, it’s easy to brush it off as not that bad because we’re on the other side of things. But looking at these photos, I’m reminded of how hard it all was, how scared we were and uncertain of the future, but also hopeful. We found small joys and came together to get through what would be the first of many Unprecedented Times™.
It took me three years to complete the photo book—finally publishing on March 13, 2023—mostly because I love to procrastinate, and finishing things is hard, but even harder is marketing. I am not a salesperson. I do not make marketing strategies beyond posting on Instagram once or twice because anything more than that would be annoying, right? But I’m learning that repetition is the name of the game, so this won’t be the first time you hear about Hindsight because I am very proud of this book and want you to buy it! If that’s annoying, keep scrolling, I guess.
Hindsight - Standard Edition
Created as a pandemic project, Hindsight is a collection of images captured from March through December 2020. Shot primarily on film, it is a visual diary of Los Angeles during the first year of the pandemic. From shots of empty highways to lonely corridors, the book examines the feeling of isolation in a connected world.
Hindsight - Special Edition
The special edition, published as a limited run of only 25 with an alternative black cover, is signed by the author and includes a signed and numbered print from the book.
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xo, E