Photographer, Yuri Jones is currently working on a 145-page coffee table photo book, featuring more than 130 photographs captured in Dominica.
He told DNO that the aim to promote Dominica through photography and the name of the book is called “Majestic and Magical: Come Explore the Nature Isle.
The book, which is to be launched soon, features photos taken over the last two to three years all over Dominica in popular nature sites such as the Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls and also, “some not so popular places.”
“The main reason for me doing it is really just to promote Dominica… to promote Dominica through my photography,” Jones said. “I wanted to put everything together in one product so that people could pick something up and share with a friend or share with a visitor.”
In describing the project, he said, ““I have captured some photos, group them together by location and kind of do a history of the location and do a story about taking the photo and the experience taking it.”
Jones said he hopes to publish the book in a different way.
“Publishing a book like that is kind of expensive,” he stated. “What I plan on doing is working through kickstarter.com. What it allows you to do is to launch a campaign and you can get people to pledge to whatever your product is.”
He explained the process. “You have different levels of pledging, for example you can ask people to pledge $1.00, $5.00 or $10.00…they will be able to pledge whatever they are comfortable with pledging and so what you do is the promise you are really making to them is that at the end of the campaign those who would have pledged a certain amount to get the product, you deliver that product,” he stated.
He noted that at each level of pledge there is an award.
“At the $2.00 level, what I would be doing is telling the persons thank you and adding them to my newsletter so that they can get more information about my photography and so on…that will be an ongoing thing,” he noted. “At the $10.00 level they will get the electronic version of the book and at the $25.00 level, they will get the PDF as well as an actual printed version of one of my images. At the $50.00 level, they will get the book itself. It will be a signed copy of the book signed by me.”
Jones advised young persons interested in photography to make sacrifices.
“You have to be willing to sacrifice and put your money where your mouth is. Also, you have to be willing to learn,” he stated. “You really have to dedicate time to learn new techniques and put a little practise in what you are doing.”
Additionally, he said, “The most important lesson for me personally is investing in my own self, in terms of buying equipment, in terms of taking courses online.”
Jones is also founder and Editor and Founder of ‘Embrace Dominica.’
Beautiful I look forward to your book and buying a copy. I love Dominica as much as my own birthplace of Jamaica it is a beautiful Island. Thanks for promoting Dominica.
To Floridian Dieasspoorer, %, Duck Love et al: We are not in support of Yuri’s work because Dominica will benefit and if that happens our agenda will not be achieved.
GREAT Project…I would defintely like to buy the book. Is there anywhere that people can contact you personally? As far as t he article states, the book isnt out yet…how about an email address?
Hi Nicole. You can reach me at [email protected]. Thanks for the interest!
Where is the place where the first picture was taken, with the mini waterfall? It’s absolutely beautiful
Hi @Heartfelt. If you’re referring to the first photo in this article, this is the Emerald Pool. Thanks for the kind words
Great going Yuri. You were always a pleasant one with bright ideas and discussions. I remember from 1-1 to 5-1 at Grammar School. Lovely photos.
Thanks @Heartfelt!
Good initiative! All the best for your production and as you said: Investing in yourself. That is what the young people in Dominica should contemplating on–personal investment, however –instead of sitting around and repeating the negativity of the minds of the stone ages ago.
God will help those who try to help themselves. At Proverb 6: 6-8, He points the work of the Ant against those who sit around in laziness; then at 9-11 He ask this questions
How long will you slumber, O sluggard? (another word for sluggard is lazy)
When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Once again all the best for you, Yuiy Jones, and surely, by God’s grace for the sake of our Dominica
Great Job Yuri! This is an impressive initiative….It would be good if the tourism officials jump in at some point to assist with the project to ensure that it is a success. All the best with the project
Thanks Krista. Yes, it would be good to have some support… but you know how it is!
Thanks for promoting Dominica,, ,It is indeed a beautiful
country,,, With all its natural beauty
I really admire Yuri. Instead of complaining about every single thing that is wrong,, he has been affecting positive change at a grassroots level for a while now. Hopefully, the youth will follow suit and see that government isn’t the end all to solving every problem. Together we can make this place an even more amazing place to call home. Thank you, Yuri!
Proud of you my friend Yuri!!! Very Happy to see your work like that!!!
Congratulations Yuri. Well done!
Thanks @Tee
Positive vibes! Big up yourself bredda, I love it. Waiting to purchase my copy.
Seems like this is relevant http://yuriajonesphotography.com/the-book/
Thanks for linking to the website @Stealth Critique.
Yuri’s work is amazing and I’m looking forward to the book!