Several years of more and less tangible work go into writing a book, and many people played significant roles in this book’s creation; I offer my sincere gratitude to them here. To my father, James Michael Faris, and to my mother, Charlene Brown Faris, who taught me by example the importance of discipline and hard work, and who nurtured my dreams unconditionally. For your years of belief and encouragement and for sharing the gift of your lives with me, I acknowledge my family, Jim Faris, Mary Stine, and Ahndrea Pett, and the few I call friend, in particular Rachel Paul, Greg Marion, and Dennie Eagleson; and my mentor, Sean Wilkinson. To Randy Wolf, my dear friend from our first conversation about cats and dogs, who departed this world in 2011, for demonstrating the true meaning of courage and reminding me that life is lived in the moment. Heartfelt thanks to three wonderful spirits—Angie Buckley, Jill Mott, and Elaine Blackmer—for your wisdom, faith, and honest reflection during the past few years.
Most humble thanks to all of the photographer-artists and photography contributors to this book; your amazing works are more telling of the nature of photography’s depth and power than my words could ever be.
Thanks to Frank Varney and to my students and colleagues at the Art Institute of Colorado for your patience while I once again diverted time and energy to revising this book. Thank you also to three fabulous women, Cara Anderson, Stacey Walker, and Laura Aberle, and all involved in production at Focal Press for your dedication to quality photography publications and patient assistance in the difficult task of preparing them.
Most important, my undying love and gratitude to my husband Dave, for your support and encouragement, for sharing the depth of your wisdom and being, and for your eagerness to explore, understand, and embrace the Universe from which we came and to which we will finally return.