Well it’s my birthday too, yeah.
But today is a different kinda day for me. I prefer to give gifts instead of receive them.
It’s an important day in my photographic life and this is why:

When I was about 8, there was a softcover book on the bookshelf in the hall, between the 2 cramped bedrooms.
A pretty small bookshelf, but always an important part of our home. With textured sliding doors, there seemed to be a whole world of art and literature in that simple piece of plywood furniture.
And a volume of photographs that would change my life forever.
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A dog eared copy of the Family of Man would become a major touch point my life.
This book of images from over 250 photographers from around the world, depicting the human condition, made an indelible mark on my young sensibilities.
To know that a still image could have that powerful an emotional impact, set my path clearly.
I have collected and gifted many copies of this book, in the hopes that it may inspire others as it did me.
My mother was the one who purchased that first book, and even though we never had much dough, we were surrounded by art.
She left us earlier this year, and in her honor, I would like to give a copy of this book to one of you. Heck, she brought me into this world and deserves some props today.

And it was on this day, July 26th , 1971, that I woke up to the news that one of our greatest artists, Diane Arbus, had taken her own life.
Her Aperture Monograph was one of the first hardcover photography books I ever owned. The photographs were some of the most disturbing, haunting portraits of the fringes of society. When she would photograph the “normal” subjects that same deeper understanding came through.
However, I can only look at the book once a year.
Today is the day.
Not sure if it is the anniversary, or the powerful images, but most likely a combination of the 2.
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The second gift to one of you is a copy of the Diane Arbus Aperture Monograph.

So there you have it. My birthday, your gifts. And it is truly my pleasure to share these with you.

Just email us @ damonw@photoinduced.com and add the word “BIRTHDAY” to the subject line. The 26th email reply will be sent these two books.

Your solid support of photoinduced.com is the birthday gift you keep on giving to me.

And Happy Birthday to Mick Jagger !