Influencers talk about cameras.
This book is about the things cameras can’t fix.
The war is internal, not technical.
Introducing the First Edition Collector’s Box.
The first edition of Lessons From a Terrible Photographer deserved more than shrink wrap and a padded envelope.
So I built a box for the people who understand the part of photography cameras can’t fix.
A box for the discouraged.
A box for the stubborn.
A box for the ones who keep making work even when no one notices.
A box for the early believers.
Only 35 First Edition Collector’s Boxes exist.
Each one signed, numbered, and packed by hand.
The First Edition Collector’s Box
A limited release for the photographers who stayed.
What’s Inside
Signed and Numbered First Edition
A limited-run hardcover. Each one hand signed and numbered, available only in this release.
A Signed Fine Art Print
A frameable print from the book. Printed and signed exclusively for box owners. No reprints outside this run.
Deleted Chapters (PDF)
A set of essays and stories cut from the final manuscript. These pages will never be released publicly.
The Future Bundle (Free)
You will automatically receive the audiobook and the ebook the moment they’re released. No extra charge. No catch.
Field Notes Notebook
For the ideas, meltdowns, and sparks you don’t want to forget.
Six-Piece Terrible Sticker Set
Designed for photographers who appreciate honesty over hype.
Hand-Typed Note
Personal. Original. Typed just for you.
The Terrible Surprise
A small, unexpected item tucked into each box just for fun.
Premium Black Gift Box
A clean, minimal, unbranded box meant to be kept, not tossed.
Only 35 boxes. $69.99. When they’re gone, that’s it.
SHIPPING STARTS DECEMBER 15 • HOLIDAY DELIVERY AVAILABLE
You have the gear. So where is the art?
The photography industry is built on a lie: "If you buy a better camera, you will take better photos."
So you bought the upgrade. You watched the sharpest lens reviews. You memorized the Exposure Triangle.
But your camera is currently sitting on a shelf, gathering dust.
Why?
Because a $3,000 sensor cannot fix the problems that actually stop you from shooting.
Things a newer camera or better lens can’t fix:
Fear of Rejection
Creative Boredom
Imposter Syndrome
Having Nothing To Say
Creative Burnout
This is not a technical manual.
There are no diagrams of sensors. There are no presets to download.
This is a survival guide for your creativity.
It is a collection of the messy, uncomfortable, non-technical truths about what it actually takes to stay in the game when the "new gear excitement" wears off.
We are going to talk about:
The Internal War: Why the battle happens in your mind, not the viewfinder.
The "Terrible" Phase: Why taking bad photos is the only way to eventually take good ones.
The Jealousy Trap: How to look at Instagram without feeling like a failure.
The Boredom: How to find something interesting in a boring room.
What You’ll Learn
Why your voice matters more than your camera
How to survive burnout without nuking your creativity
Why failure is not a detour but the entire road
How to make work that feels honest instead of performative
Why comparison poisons everything
How to stay human inside an industry built on pretending
Why creating anything worth a damn always feels inconvenient
This is not a handbook. It is a conversation you’ve been needing for years.
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.”
Inside the Book
A grounded, story-driven, honest look at the creative life. Part memoir, part field guide, part quiet kick in the teeth.
This Book Is For:
Photographers who are tired of gear worship
Creatives trying to find their voice in a loud world
The burned out
The discouraged
The ones who feel behind
Anyone who wants honesty over glossy advice
Anyone who wants to keep making work but feels stuck, angry, or invisible
If you’ve ever said, “Why does this feel so hard,” this is yours.
EDITIONS AND PRICING
Why Buy It Now?
Most photography books teach technique.
This one teaches survival.
If you’re in a season that feels confusing or overwhelming, this book will help you stay grounded. And if you know someone else who needs that, well, books make great gifts.
Lessons From A Terrible Photographer
The Collector’s Box
Limited run. Each one signed and numbered.
Only 35 will be available.
69.99
Book Details
Hardcover
304 Pages
ISBN: 979-8-9986868-0-1
Published in 2025
Printed in the USA
Buy the Hardcover, Start Reading Chapter 1 in 5 Minutes.
I’ll email you out a PDF version of Chapter 1 while you wait for your hard copy to arrive.
Order by December 16 for Christmas delivery.
Orders after December 17 should choose Priority Shipping.
Not ready for the Collector’s Box?
Totally fine.
Regular copies of Lessons From a Terrible Photographer are coming in January.
Sign up for Pub Notes and I’ll let you know the moment preorders open.
No spam. No hype. Just updates and the occasional honest thought.