Six Percent on sale at Summerhall and the hidden embossing

It was a strange day today - went back to the gallery for the first time since the opening.  Wanted to spend some time there without people around and taking in the exhibition, curated by Antonia Laurence-Allen properly and to read the comments in the visitors book.

There had been some confusion and there were no books in the gallery shop but there are now and it didn't look out of place.  Time will tell if its something that people will want to own and take home with them.

I don't think many people have looked under the dust cover yet ;-)  Leon the printer is very proud about the blind embossing of the photohonesty logo that they did. He prefers it without the dust cover eh ?

I'll be working on a some new extracts for the flipbook on the Photohonesty website as the current version is too light as it was derived from the print file (usually lighter).

Need to put together an image selection for Harry Hardie who is curating the MA show in London in May with my fellow graduates.  Called 'Not Seeing Nothing' I'm really looking forward to participating and hoping that the new friends I have made through Six Percent will be able to come along to the show and meet me.

Been trying to work out if I should try to make Six Percent available on Amazon.  The cost is high as they take a big margin but in terms of spreading the word this could be good thing.  If you feel having the book on Amazon would be a good thing let me know?  It's already on there but no available as I haven't set up an account.

Appears on Amazon as unavailable

Ross has been looking into it - some further thought required.

Here are a few photographs by way of enticing you to come along.

Some of the images in the gallery

Photos of Ruby and Darby - intro by Antonia Laurence-Allen

Video Interview - 6% Down's Syndrome: My Photographs, Their Stories

6% Down's Syndrome : My photographs, their stories from www.summerhall.tv on Vimeo.

Summerhall Gallery March 22nd

All in track for the launch. Summerhall have now publicised the event.

http://www.summerhall.co.uk/2013/graham-miller-6-downs-syndrome-my-photographs-their-words/

Summerhall Gallery announcement

Six Percent Down's Syndrome my photographs their stories new cover design

The cover design has now been finalised and I spoke to proud Mum of Penny who appears on the cover tonight. She is delighted and planning to attend the opening and launch.  All now set for March 21st.

Price of Six Percent is now set at £29.95 with proceeds of the first 500 copies to Down Syndrome Scotland. Books will be available from Down's Syndrome Scotland and Summerhall Gallery, Edinburgh for two months starting March 22nd.

The exhibition and book are unique in that they show the realistic ups and downs of life of families with people with Down's Syndrome that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. 

A number of organisations have expressed in interest in multiple copies.  If you are still interested we'd be very pleased to hear from you so that we can add them to the initial print run as demand is expected to be high.

Six Percent meets Corinne and her mum...

I'm such a fortunate person - I met Corinne last Saturday.  The first photo shoot in series for inclusion in  Six Percent :-)

Andrew and Six Percent

Andrew has very kindly agreed to write a foreward for Six Percent and it was great working with him yesterday and watching him leaf through the draft of the book.

I met him over a year ago when Downs Syndrome Scotland asked me to shoot their 2012 calendar on sporting themes.  Those who saw it may remember Andrew on the rings. I'll never forget it as I'd never seen gymnastics up close and I kept saying again, again as I balanced on top of a vaulting horse to get the right angle. Tired and aching he showed patience above and beyond.

Tomorrow I vist Katie and her folks and work begins on that replacement chapter.

All on track for publication and news will follow soon about the gallery.

Aspirational image of Lee

As we all batten the hatches against this terrible weather and prepare for Christmas and the new year ahead I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged my work during this last year.  The reaction to "6% Down Syndrome: My photographs their words' has been astonishing.  We are close to securing space within a high profile gallery for an exhibition and launch and so 2013 looks to be every bit as exciting as this one, maybe more.

Thanks go especially to Down Syndrome Scotland who have been an amazing partner http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/.  

Their CEO Pandora Summerfield has been supportive of the project from the outset and has always been there encouraging me.

Neil Burns at George James Ltd for paying for the design  http://www.georgejamesltd.co.uk/

Hayley Goleniowska who has opened her heart in a way that everyone can relate to through her incredible blog http://www.downssideup.com/ and who has been patient in keeping the big secret and then explosive in getting the news out.

And Umair Akhtar of UA Graphics the designer, who you won't know is affected by Aspergers Syndrome. He has been professional, committed, flexible and patient beyond what I was entitled to expect and I'm saying all this because he needs to do more work in January (just joking Umair). You are a brilliant example and  a star Umair.

Last but not least all of the families of who have let me into their lives and shared their innermost thoughts.

And so here is Lee, as promised, taken during a coaching session arranged at Murrayfield by Downs Syndrome Scotland. He realised 3 seconds later that I was standing there and the moment was gone.

When I look at this I see ambition and aspiration and I hope it has the same impact on you.

Have a wonderful Christmas and an astonishing FY13.

Graham