Julie, a virtual keynote attendee
“Last night's session was one of the most heart-felt and connective we've ever had. You truly touched everyone who joined and made it safe for folks to share their own vulnerability, which is a straight up gift! Thank you for sharing your time and your journey with us.
Reader, Nancy
I read through the book in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.
There was one picture that totally captured me for several minutes. It was the picture on page 95, the trees are beautifully snow covered and the sky holds the promise of possibly more snow yet to come or maybe the calm at the end of the storm. The short quote on the preceding page captured his father’s gifts. “he could see things in a way that others couldn’t…. ‘I can see this place will be beautiful in the snow’. Randy could see through all the crap and the reasons why something couldn’t happen, to how it could”. I just loved that. It’s like the opposite of catastrophizing: what isn’t and what is.
Readers, Larry and Helen:
We were very moved and impressed by the book, both for the amount of work that it entailed, and also by the emotional toll that it must have taken as you worked your way through Randy's photos, your memories, the memories of others, the effects that Randy's life and death had on all of you, and more. I was struck early on in the book with the note that Randy "saw things" in a different way. The photos show that...there's drama, angles of light and dark, silence and movement, which he was able to perceive and capture at just the right instant. I had the idea that I would try to mark my "favorites," but there are too many for that. Some of the passages are almost too moving to read.
Reader, Angela-Ruth:
“Wow. I just finished reading your book from beginning to end...and I will most certainly reread it and certainly revisit each remarkable photograph of your Dad's. What a profoundly touching labor of love you have produced. So many layers and levels in your book; I felt honored to have been able to read your story, that of your Dad's and your family's; I was touched by your earnest, honest courage and heart, how you articulated your own process which was woven throughout and alongside the testimonials of others. How wonderful to be introduced to your Dad through his outstanding photos that show us the world through his eyes!
The extent of the tragedy of the tainted blood travesty felt so difficult and at the same time so important to read about. As a mere reader I felt once again heartbroken and enraged.
Your book also brought up my own personal reflection of my family, past and current relationships and different losses over the years.
Reader, Son:
Life had been getting in the way of me reading your book until I was summoned to grand jury duty where they took all of my electronics and I had to sit in a courthouse all day with no access to the outside world. I quickly grabbed your book before heading out the door on day 2 and man, I did not know what I was in for.
First, I want to start by thanking you for sharing you and your father's story. As a society we are so used to commemorating and idolizing celebrities, social media influencers, politicians and others we thrust into the spotlight, that we forget heroes are in fact right in front of us. And those heroes are imperfect, with their struggles and flaws being their most commemorable experiences.
I loved getting to know your dad through some of his most 'ordinary' stories. The one about the dog sniffing his butt and him saying 'Ilene?' made me cry of laughter. And the story where you and Graham played hookie with your dad for the Yankees game - pure bliss. I could feel the excitement on the page as you and Graham reveled in rebellion, and your dad even more so knowing you both were.
And, I really appreciated how raw and real the whole book was. One lesson that really stood out for me was that our parents are people. They were once young, trying to figure out life and making mistakes along the way. And even in their later years they are still trying.
I would say as a whole, my biggest lessons/takeaways from the book are the importance of knowing where you came from (you learn A LOT about yourself through your parents' stories), the importance of surrounding yourself with a strong support system/community (family, friends, even neighbors) and most importantly that strength comes in all forms. Hemophilia and the health issues that came after may have taken your dad from this earth, but damn could I tell that he was strong and that strength lives through you.
As everyone in the courthouse was dying of boredom, I was literally laughing and sobbing so much to the point that someone asked me if they could read it after me.
Reader, Emiliegh:
It [the book] is now a prized possession on my bookshelf that I often flip through to admire your father's stunning photography. He was truly such a talented photographer
Reader, Stephen:
Tears blur my vision with each and EVERY page. It is a true masterpiece of deep love and devotion and I know in my heart that your father is smiling that Randy smile somewhere out across the universe.
Reader, June:
I am absolutely blown away by your book. The photographs are compelling, and what I’ve read touches my heart. You have done a mammoth job and the product is stellar.
Reader, Dan:
It [the book] is a masterpiece. Aside from the exquisite photos throughout the book, that are magnificent in themselves, the structure of the texts add not only a narrative that is riveting, but also provides to the reader a historic summary of Randy Masser Photography; in words and pictures.
It is an effort of love, pain, humor, and insight to Randy, and your family. It supports your efforts, trials and strengths in addressing the exceptional challenges that you confronted.
You should be extremely proud of the completion of this effort. Your dad would be so proud of you.
Reader, David:
I opened it [the book] up and had planned on starting to read it in the near future, but I ended up not being able to put it down. Wow. What a beautiful, incredible book. It was such a moving experience to read it. I can only imagine the journey you must have gone through in bringing this into reality.
Your dad sounds like an incredible person. Reading his story and seeing his wonderful photography, I feel like I got to meet him in some way. Congratulations on creating an amazing and truly inspiring presentation of his story and photography. And thank you for sharing it with the world!
Reader and editor, Perry-Lynn:
This [book] is a powerful memorial to Randy, his photos, and to his life and loves. The book's brutal yet beautiful honesty enabled so many of us involved to celebrate Randy and more deeply understand our own personal grief journeys. And now Zander's book will inspire so many others to realize how important it is to express grief so we can look to the future again with hope.
