The war is internal,
not technical.
A book about everything cameras can’t fix.
Most photography books teach technique.
This one is about doubt, burnout, comparison, and learning how to keep making work when the gear excitement wears off.
Who this book is for (and who it isn’t)
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
This book is for you if:
you’ve been shooting for a while and feel quietly disconnected from the work
you know the problem isn’t your camera anymore
you’re tired of chasing trends, algorithms, or approval
you’ve felt burned out, restless, or unsure what comes next
you care more about making honest work than “winning” photography.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should be further along than this,”
this book was written with you in mind.
WHO THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR
This book is NOT for you if:
you’re looking for gear reviews, presets, or technical tutorials
you want a formula for going viral or growing fast
you’re just getting started and want a step-by-step guide
you’re primarily interested in photography as a shortcut
to status
This isn’t a how-to book. It’s a reflection on what happens after the how-to books stop working.
From Industry Leaders
Rafael Orta, CEO of Capture One
Used with permission.
“Courage. That’s the first word that comes to mind after reading Lessons From a Terrible Photographer. For decades, the photography industry has sold an illusion of perfection, gear, and viral success. Patrick Fore rips that facade apart, offering a raw, honest, and deeply personal look at what it really takes. This isn’t about tools or presets, it’s a vital guide to finding your authentic voice.”
What this book actually does
This book isn’t here to impress you.
It’s here to sit next to you.
Professional photography is hard in ways most people don’t talk about. The insecurity, the comparison, the money tension, the slow erosion of confidence, the feeling that you’re supposed to love this more than you do. A lot of that goes unnamed.
This book names it.
Rather than offering a roadmap or a system, Lessons From a Terrible Photographer focuses on the why beneath the work, not the how. It’s a journal of lived experience, mixed with hard-earned lessons and borrowed wisdom from people far smarter than me.
You’ll find:
empathy without coddling
tough love without arrogance
humility without false modesty
practical thinking without fake certainty
I didn’t write this as an expert talking down to you.
I wrote it the way I wish someone had written it to me, human, direct, and honest about how complicated this work can be.
The goal isn’t to give you all the answers.
It’s to help you feel less alone while you figure out your own.
Inside the Book
A grounded, story-driven, honest look at the creative life. Part memoir, part field guide, part quiet kick in the teeth.
Choose Your Edition
Lessons From A Terrible Photographer
Author’s Edition
Author’s Edition – $39.99
Signed and hand-numbered hardcover
Includes a brief handwritten note from the author
Part of a limited run
Lessons From A Terrible Photographer
Author’s Edition
Hard Cover Edition - $26.99
The complete book, without extras.
Why Buy It Now?
Most photography books teach technique.
This one is about what happens after technique stops being the answer.
If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or quietly questioning your relationship with the work, this book was written for that moment.
The Author’s Edition is intentionally limited.
Not to create hype, but to keep it human.
If that matters to you, this is the right moment.
Book Details
Hardcover
304 Pages
ISBN: 979-8-9986868-0-1
Published in 2025
Printed in the USA
Preorder Information
This book is currently available for preorder.
Preorders allow this book to be printed responsibly, without overproducing or rushing the process.
Once a minimum number of preorders is reached, the book will go to print.
As soon as printing begins, you’ll receive an update with an estimated ship window.
Preorder copies will ship before the book becomes widely available.
If you’re comfortable waiting a bit and want to support the book at this stage, preordering is the best way to do that.
If you’d rather wait until copies are printed and ready to ship immediately, that option will be available later.