Cindy Moskovitz
The first ever, first-time photography book shines a ray of light on 135 photographers, stunning beauty of Florida’s Emerald Coast
Without any books written on the subject, you could say “the sky was the limit” for first-time editor/publisher Cindy Moskovitz, whose photography book “Sunsets of 30A: The Magic of Light on the Emerald Coast” was recently published by Made Ya Look Publishing
“In deciding whether to publish this book, of course I had done some research, and I could not believe that there had not already been a book featuring sunset images from the 30A area,” said editor/publisher Cindy Moskovitz, who has homes in both Seagrove Beach, Fla., and Nashville, Tenn.
The 30A area of South Walton County in Northwest Florida is known for its natural beauty. The area is named for the thoroughfare: a two-lane road that hugs about 20 miles of the Gulf coast and connects a dozen or so quaint beach towns like a string of pearls. Though the “personalities” of each town along Scenic Highway 30A are distinctly different, one commonality connects them all – the glory of the setting sun into the Gulf of Mexico.
“Sunsets of 30A” beautifully and simply celebrates the joy of stellar sunsets. The horizontal orientation of the 128-page, perfect bound softcover book showcases 168 stunning images contributed by a mix of 135 local and visiting photographers – some professional, but many amateur. The photographs depicted were selected from more than 700 submissions. Each is paired with an individual quote, which reveals still more about the photo, the photographer who shot it and his/her connection to 30A.
“Every sunset for me is spectacular. The surprise, the edge of night, the flipping of activity to what’s next,” Moskovitz said. “But add to that the framework of the natural beauty of the coastal dune lakes, the beautiful and unique architecture of the beach towns, the state parks, the beach … it is just the perfect storm for a gorgeous sunset most nights. And being near or on the beach to anticipate what will form on the canvas of the sky … that is half the fun.”
Moskovitz, who is originally from St. Louis, likes to say she and her husband, Scott, are “serial entrepreneurs.” They opened Mosko’s and the Munchenette in Nashville in the late 1970s. The cutting edge newsstand became a favorite hangout among Nashville’s music scene. The couple sold the popular neighborhood business in 1999 and moved on to other ventures and adventures including buying a cottage in Seagrove Beach, Florida, in 2009.
The couple shares a passion for photography and particularly enjoys collecting images that capture the true spirit of the many places they’ve lived in and traveled to. After seeing fervent responses to sunset images, her own and others, frequently shared on Facebook, Cindy began to think about collecting 30A’s sunsets into a book. Part of her desire was simply to gather them in one place, but another personal reason for publishing the book was to shine a ray of light, so to speak, on the work and talent of local and visiting photographers she personally admires.
“Many of them are off the grid and do not have galleries or studios and so their work might not ever be discovered especially by visitors just passing through, who don’t know where to find their work,” Moskovitz said.
The book, which Moskovitz self-published in late May just before her 60th birthday, carries a dedicated “gift page” perfect for inscribing to someone special. Beyond being a “coffee table” book for beach lovers, the author believes “Sunset of 30A” appeals to a broad audience from near and far including bridesmaids looking for the perfect wedding favor to realtors looking for an upscale closing gift to tourists seeking a keepsake souvenir. And as Moskovitz said, “It’s a great way to take a bit of 30A home with you.”
Being known as the Sunshine State means expectations are high when it comes to sunsets … and books about them. “Sunsets of 30A” does not disappoint on either score. Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant has been signaling the end of the day with sunset celebrations for nearly 30 years. So you could say owner Dave Rauschkolb has become a bit of an authority on the subject. Of Moskovitz’ first turn at publishing, he said, “In ‘Sunsets of 30A,’ Cindy has given it the exposure (pun intended!) it deserves on every page.”
The book retails for $29.95. The book is available for purchase at www.Sunsetsof30A.com. For a full roster of retail locations, visit www.Sunsetsof30A.com.
Find more information on Cindy Moskovitz and “Sunsets of 30A” on Facebook or online at www.Sunsetsof30A.com. To inquire about selling the book or arranging a book-signing event, email the author at sunsetsof30a@gmail.com.
