Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have worked as a professional fine art, portrait, and documentary photographer for the last 12 years in New York. I’m also a certified tour guide and history buff, and I teach photo tours and workshops around New York. I’ve written three books, The Essentials of Street Photography, Street Photography Conversations, and The New York Photographer’s Travel Guide.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book was The New York Photographer’s Travel Guide: The Best Places to Photograph from a Professional Photographer, Tour Guide, and Lifelong New Yorker. I’ve always had an equal passion for both photography and New York and its rich history. I have been teaching workshops around the city combining these two passions for the last six years. This book was my way of collecting all the knowledge that I have learned over the years to help photographers capture the city to the best of their ability.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I just sit down and write quickly. I’ll spend a lot of time creating a detailed outline, but when I start a chapter, I just type what comes to mind, without much thought for editing. I just go and go until I can’t write anymore. Then I come back to what I’ve written the next day and take the time to edit to a coherent chapter.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love photography books. Robert Frank’s the Americans is my favorite book of all time, but I also love Garry Winogrand, Henri Cartier-Bresson, William Eggleston, Trent Parke, among many other photographers. As for books, I read mostly non-fiction, but I will read all types of topics.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a documentary project doing one portrait and interview a week with long time residents of the East Village neighborhood of New York. The project began in 2012 and consists of around 150 interviews. The entirety of the project has become a historical account of the last handful of decades in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city, and covers the history of Tompkins Square Park and the riots, the diverse ethnic neighborhoods, the history of punk rock and the music culture, the art, creative, and nightlife culture, the restaurants and local businesses, the daily life intertwined with drug dealers, addicts, and beat up and burned out buildings, the struggle against gentrification and slumlords, and the special stories of everyday life here.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love guest posting, writing articles for other websites, and going on podcasts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get really good at something, but use the writing of a book to fill the holes in your knowledge. Writing has always been a way for me to share my strengths while also improving them to a level that I don’t think I could have achieved without writing them.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid of being uncomfortable. Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations means that you are pushing yourself and doing good things. I’ve learned to enjoy being in uncomfortable situations, as much as that is possible at least.
What are you reading now?
The Brooklyn Wars: The Stories Behind the Remaking of New York’s Most Celebrated Borough.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have been working on a marketing book for photographers for the last two years. The release date will be in the next month or two. Can’t wait!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Robert Frank’s The Americans, The Decisive Moment by Henri-Cartier Bresson, William Eggleston: Chromes, and Garry Winogrand’s new retrospective book.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Maher Website
James Maher Amazon Profile
James Maher’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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