Photographer Launches Expanded Version of Free Online Photography Book

SAN ANTONIO, TX--(Marketwire - February 9, 2010) - Rolando Gomez, a Lexar Elite Photographer and established author of several photography books, has released an expanded, 105-page version of his free photography book, Photographic Therapy - The Power of Photography to Help Build or Rebuild Self-Esteem. The book can be downloaded in PDF form at www.freephotographybooks.com.

Gomez soft launched a 77-page version of the book last November. With more than 20,000 downloads in just three months, Gomez opted to expand, redesign and replatform his book on a more sophisticated, user-friendly website created by liveBooks. On this new site, visitors can read more about Gomez, preview sample chapters, download and print the free book.

"The book is completely free -- no gimmicks, no adware, no spyware," said Gomez, who attributes the strength of the book's editorial content to senior editor and former Studio Photography magazine editor Alice Miller. "A book like this is normally $40, but given the current state of the economy, I wanted to give a free resource to the photography industry and educate photographers about how they can use their lens to make people feel comfortable and good about themselves."

Photographic therapy, or the use of photography to build or rebuild self-esteem, is quickly gaining notoriety in the United States as a supplemental component to traditional therapy options. In 2009, it became a hot-button topic in the photography industry when journalist Melissa Whitworth wrote the article, "Posing naked for a women's magazine felt brave and shocking," for the United Kingdom's version of Glamour magazine. Since then, Gomez has leveraged that article to further propel his message of using the lens to build internal beauty.

"As a photographer with 30-plus years of experience, I've photographed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of women in various age groups, primarily 18-62 years of age," said Gomez. "It turns out, many of these photographic sessions fit the classification of photographic therapy -- not just a photography portrait, private glamour, or glamour photography shoot, but a photography session that helps build or rebuild self-esteem in my subjects."

Several veteran photographers, including Peter Geller, winner of the 1971 World Press Photo of the Year award, and Robert Farber of Photoworkshop.com, have lauded Gomez's book as an essential resource for photographers.

"You have something special here with this book," said Robert Farber. "It's sincere, informative and comes from your heart."

In addition to further spreading the message of photographic therapy, Gomez believes free, on-demand books are the future of the publishing industry.

"The publishing industry is struggling in this tough economy as technology has thrown many challenges at them, from Amazon's Kindle to Barnes and Noble's Nook," said Gomez. "And now with the recent release of Apple's iPad, the state of publishing is really going down a new road. More people are getting comfortable with the idea of electronic books, and this has extended the reach of my new book and given me the ability to touch a new demographic of readers."

To download Gomez's free photography book, visit www.freephotographybooks.com. To view Gomez's portfolio site, visit www.rolandogomez.com. (Please note: Book contains images of partially clothed women and might be inappropriate for children under 18).

About Rolando Gomez

Rolando Gomez, a Lexar Elite Photographer, transitioned from combat photography to glamour photography in 1999 and still freelances as a photojournalist. Known for his "flamour" (fashion and glamour) style of photography, he's taught more than 400 workshops and seminars in Mexico, Canada, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States. He also provides private photography instruction and private glamour photography.

Editor's note: Photographs are available upon request.

Contact Information: Contact: Sarah Ellis Matter Communications (978) 499-9250 Ext. 222