Momentous Living is a contemplative memoir that suggests a better world begins with a better self. This mindset acknowledges the struggle in navigating life’s difficulties, but believes expansion begins with facing our hardships and embracing the journey through them.

Momentous Living explores words that are not so black and white, words like divorce and dignity; religion, respect, and reconciliation; community and communication; believing, breathing, and dreaming.

Through 12 reader-friendly contemplations, black-and-white photography, and engaging graphic design, Momentous Living re-shapes difficult matters into fresh narratives that transcend narrow interpretations of how life “should” be.

A resource for anyone who supports self-advocacy for the betterment of all.

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Images from Momentous Living:

The amazing photographers behind the images. Their work is an eclectic mix of very cool photographs—a reflection of their diverse skills, personalities, and gifts. Read about them below:

Gabriela Arp is an independent filmmaker and photographer who is passionate about visual media, new technology, and immersive projects that strengthen the human connection. Some of her clients include the New York Times, Blue Chalk Media, CNN International, Univision, International Rescue Committee, the United Nations, The New Museum, LACMA, Sony, Canon, and JetBlue. Gabriela recently completed her first virtual reality film, called Traces, which explores the memories of one woman living with Alzheimer’s. The film has been shown at festivals all over the world and most recently won a Social Impact Media Award (SIMA) for experimental advocacy. Gabriela received her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in visual communication, which she uses to foster challenging and thought- provoking dialogue within our communities. gabriela-arp-ofu7.squarespace.com

Dylan Baker is a recent graduate of Winter Park High School and is currently enrolled in the School of Photography at Daytona State College. Dylan began his photographic career at age 13, shooting film on his dad’s old Nikon F3. That year he traveled to Costa Rica and in subsequent summers to India, Thailand, Burma, China, Mongolia Western Europe, and the U.K. He is finding his photographic voice through the discipline of mindfulness, or being at home in a moment, be it in his backyard or on foreign soil. Dylan enjoys traveling, cooking, rowing, and restoring old Chevy trucks.

Anna Branch is a self-taught photographer and master of Photoshop. Film, music, and other photographers strongly influence Anna’s work, and she finds that photography aids her in managing the complexities of life. Anna plays piano, harp, violin, and drums as a hobby. “I have a wild imagination, and photography is the best way I can play around with that,” she says. “A lot of times I combine my music and my art. My music inspires me to create what I create.” 

Gabriel Fernandez is a travel photographer from Cali, Colombia, a city surrounded by the Andes Mountains. “Through my photographs, I desire to explore the world, capturing the nature of each area’s inhabitants and the diversity of their beautiful surroundings,” he says. “I photograph life; the integration of people and nature.” Gabriel has collaborated with Women’s Surf Style Magazine since 2007, documenting surf retreats in Central America and the Caribbean. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Icesi University in Cali, and an associate’s degree in photographic technology from Daytona State College. These days, you can find Gabriel at the Fernandez Art Gallery in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where he supports local artists and crafters through fair trading. facebook.com/FernandezArtGallery

Although Kat Fluharty applies the same principles used in traditional photography, she finds that digital gives her more freedom to capture images she might have passed over before, her passion being what she calls “digital fantasyscapes.” She says that her iPhone “somehow feels more unobtrusive and private. I find solace and a renewed sense of self-worth and power in my art. It gives me independence from the ‘anxious’ side of me that I am reluctant to admit exists. Behind my camera, I am free.” Kat received her associate’s degree in photography from Daytona State College, and her bachelor’s degree in photographic arts from the University of Central Florida. instagram.com/artvandal

For 26 years, Susan Kranz owned and managed Photos-n-Motion, a portrait studio and custom-framing shop in Oswego, New York, near Lake Ontario. Before digital photography transformed the industry, her father managed the lab while Susan captured a diverse range of images, from school and sporting events to weddings, families, and children. Although Susan continues to take photos as a hobby and remains a lifelong lover of the Adirondacks, she now resides in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, where she is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

Kristin McCoppin’s love of weddings coupled with her passion for photography led her to opening her own studio, Pond Photography, in Mission, Kansas. She admits to being a hopeless romantic and still cries at most weddings. “I truly believe in love, relationships, and lifelong marriages,” she says. “I never get tired of seeing people’s stories unfold, traditions relived, and moments shared. Every wedding is special in its own way.” Besides weddings, Kristin also enjoys capturing stories of other unique people and events. Kristin graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in interactive digital media. pond-photography.com

Nadine Nasby first fell in love with photography when she saw the famous photojournalism portrait of “The Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange. At that time, she knew she wanted to make portraits that are real and tell a story, ultimately making that her goal since the first click of the shutter on her original Pentax camera. Although she worked as a photographer for The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, The Miami Herald, and The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, she now specializes in wedding and family photography that uses a photojournalism style to reflect real life. nadinenasby.com

Vern Seward first became interested in photography during the Vietnam War while stationed in Thailand, where he met a Japanese-American photographer in the service club playing ping-pong. Vern studied under his new friend for three months, and continued to dabble in photography after the war while working for Lockheed Martin. In 2004, he began selling his images. Vern currently lives in Namibia, Africa, where he’s serving with the Peace Corps. vernarts.wordpress.com