New Alaska Photo Book Reflects the Values of a Community

A new Alaska photo book, to be released June 2005, reflects the values of a community. The focus of the book is on Haines, Alaska--"a place where five runs of wild salmon still return to natural, healthy watersheds; a community of individuals with unique skills and talents, generously shared; a place with more than a hint of Northern Exposure; a place where cultural traditions endure; the beginning of the trail and the end of the trail--"Dei-shu." Kathleen M.K. Menke/Crystal Images, Haines, Alaska--author/photographer/publisher.

(PRWEB) May 24, 2005 -- A new Alaska photo book, to be released June 2005, reflects the values of a community. The focus of the book is on Haines, Alaska--"a place where five runs of wild salmon still return to natural, healthy watersheds; a community of individuals with unique skills and talents, generously shared; a place with more than a hint of Northern Exposure; a place where cultural traditions endure; the beginning of the trail and the end of the trail--"Dei-shu." Kathleen M.K. Menke/Crystal Images, Haines, Alaska- author/photographer/publisher.

"This is a wonderful book!" says Christy Tengs-Fowler, lifetime Haines resident and owner and manager of the Bamboo Room Restaurant & Pioneer Bar, of a new Alaska photo book "Haines for All Seasons--Northern Exposures from Alaska Reflecting Our Bond to the Land and Each Other,"

"The inspiration for the book came to me while picking berries on Chilkat Pass," says Haines resident, Kathleen Menke, who is author, photographer, and publisher of the book. "I had recently returned from my father's funeral services in Wyoming and the themes for the book's double-page spreads just started flowing through me while I was up on the pass picking blueberries last August. I determined then and there to follow through on the idea and dedicate the project in my dad's memory because my father, James E. Kennell, also loved Alaska. He spent a lot of time here in 1950's doing geologic exploration in the Kenai/Aleutian area."

The book, with its first printing of 3000 copies, is being released in June of 2005, and according to Menke, is targeted to locals and tourists and anyone interested in Alaska from the perspective of one person living in one small, spectacularly beautiful community. "I'm hoping to making a heart and soul connection with people through the images in the book," Menke says. "The book is a good personal keepsake, a great gift for family and friend 'Outside,' and will make a good addition to any library collection."

Edward May, Executive Producer, Alaskan Life Portraits/Insight Passage Productions comments, "My six-year-old son and I reviewed 'Haines for all Seasons' together. Kathleen's artistic images evoke emotions and fond memories, as well as inspire us to seek out new adventures. Our small Alaskan community's wildness, beauty, and vanishing lifestyle are uniquely documented here with two decades of images representing the values that led us to call this place home and keep us here. I highly recommend this well-crafted book to anyone and everyone."

The focus of the book is on Haines, Alaska--"a place where five runs of wild salmon still return to natural, healthy watersheds; a community of individuals with unique skills and talents, generously shared; a place with more than a hint of Northern Exposure; a place where cultural traditions endure; the beginning of the trail and the end of the trail--"Dei-shu."

The book also contains a double-page spread of the Inside Passage and the Southeast Alaska network of communities, a double-page spread on the "Golden Circle (Haines, Whitehorse, Skagway route", and a double-page spread denoting Haines as a jumping off point into interior Alaska and Canada, including images of Kluane, Denali, and the Tatshenshini.

Other themes include northern lights, bears, moose, eagles, migrating birds, people gathering food from the land and sea, the hooligan harvest, Tlingit cultural tradition, children and families, community members, wild salmon, forest, mountains, oceans, trails, energy flowing, to dust returning, and a place of abundance for all seasons, unfolding anew each day.

The "About This Book" section on the back cover notes, "The book is a collection of images reflecting our bond to the land and each other, as seen through the eyes and heart of one photographer, over a period of twenty years, throughout the seasons. Succinct headings provide the themes, reminders of cherished values, for the page spreads. Photographic captions at the bottom of each page provide additional information about each image."

The book's 48 tightly-edited pages contain 200 original color images. The size is 8 1/2" x 11" x 1/4" with a vertical format. Menke says she spent a lot of time researching the right printer for her project, choosing quality paper and deciding to have the pages sewn as well as glued with quality lamination on its perfect bound, softbound cover.

"After several months of research, I ultimately chose a print broker (overseas) who was willing to communicate with me directly every step of the way, was capable of handling the large Pagemaker files with embedded color profiles for the high-resolution tiff images my project required (the project shipped on seven CD's), printed the old-fashioned way with film, and supplied me with several rounds of wet proofs, proofs off a press, so that I could fine-tune the images to get the quality I desired. It cost me extra time and extra money to print in this manner, but I am extremely pleased with final print, binding, and lamination quality of the book," Menke says.

The book's ISBN number is 0-9764261-0-2. The first edition print run is 3000 copies. The book retails for $24 and a standard wholesale discount of 40% is available for a minimum purchase of twenty copies. The website for the book is www.akmk.com/hfas and provides a representative preview of nine of the book's 48 pages. Books may be ordered online directly from the author/photographer with a credit card through PayPal or by mailing a check or money order to Menke at PO Box 781, Haines AK 99827. Shipping and handling charges are $4 for the first book and $1 for each additional book. Menke can also be contacted at 907-766-3517 (phone/fax/answering machine) or by E-mail: ci@akmk.com

Kathleen Marie Kennell Menke has been professionally photographing subjects that capture her interest and her heart for over twenty years. The journey brought her to Haines, Alaska, for the first time in the early 1980's. the friendly community and the wildness of its natural surroundings drew her back many times during various seasons until she decided it would take a lifetime to complete this northern adventure.

She moved to Haines as a permanent resident in the winter of 1995-1996. During the years since, she has been building herself a small home on the edge of town where she also operates her photography and publishing business, Crystal Images. She is frequently observed walking the trails and beaches of the Chilkat Valley with her Haines 57 companion, Brandee Klukshu Small Tracks.

Her work has been published in numerous regional, national, and international publications. Her photography, list of published credits, products, and design services can be viewed online at her Crystal Images website: www.akmk.com

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