Making of: My Mother's Earth
- May See Yang
- May 14
- 4 min read
Hello readers!
My photo book, My Mother's Earth, is one year old today!
This project has come a long way since 2019 and I couldn't be any more happier about how it all came together. I want to thank all of my friends, family and online strangers for the love and support. Most importantly, I want to thank my mom and dad for giving me the seeds to my dreams, intentions to my photography, and to my first photo book. This project would not exist without them. They inspired me to photograph our Hmong community. They inspired me to photograph their living work. I want to thank my mom for her stories of struggle and perseverance. It has pushed me to give something back and to honor them the best way I knew how with my own hands. Although my dad did not get to see the end results, he was a part of the process and other personal photos I took while he was sick.
Although this project began in late 2019 and the process was planned in 2021, the project took a pause then. I can't recall why I took that break. Life happens. The world was slowly reopening up. I know I turned 30 years old and I became more involved with the Los Tsev: Cia Siab in WI exhibit team. But through it all, my creativity continued to flourish. Most importantly, I was rediscovering my joy in life no matter how difficult it was. At this point, at least I had a physical first draft completed, but it would collect dust until I was ready to craft it more.
In 2023, I took a new career path and moved to a different city. I lost my dad right after. I grieved for a year and still grieving to this day. But the one year mark in 2024 reminded me the importance of my project. You see, time waits for no one. I only had my mom left and I knew I just had to finish this project for her. It took me two and a half months to start where I left off to having it self-published in May 2024. I planned out deadlines on what should be accomplished and week-by-week, I was getting it done no matter what. I locked myself and my focus in on this project. I love the editing process so this wasn't difficult. I sent my drafts to family and colleagues to review and give feedback. I am so, so, so, so thankful for their feedback because I was finally sharing this exciting project with others and along with their feedback were their excitement as well. Their feedback really strengthened my project. Thank you Meyhlou, Dr. Mai See Thao and Dr. Kong Pheng Pha (and anyone else I may have missed)!
The love and praise I received after publishing was immense. No words cannot express the gratitude I feel. My mom enjoyed the photo book and gave her own critique. But I think it's safe to say she's proud of me. I only wish the photo book was affordable for others to purchase. But unfortunately, there is a cost to materials. Maybe one day when a publisher wants to fund the project... I may have a second edition that is more accessible? I don't know. I don't fully know how the whole process works 😅 But if you know anyone interested, please direct them my way!
Anyways, have fun looking through the gallery and how I documented my journey.
So what's next?
The photo book will still be around to be purchased. So please grab a copy if you can!
I ask myself this question all the time. What's next for me? What's my next big project? I actually want to expand this topic to include other Hmong families around Wisconsin. I know with this photo book, I wanted to share my personal family story but I also want other families to be seen. Our Hmong community is so resilient and hardworking. They are doing what they love and providing for their families. I just need to... think outside of the box when it comes to funding. So, when the right opportunities come and things are aligned, I'll keep you all informed!
Another exciting collaboration is cooking. This may be my biggest project yet and I am so excited. I just can't share about it now. But in time, it will be known.
Thank you all again for supporting my work and for reading! Lastly, I want to give a big thanks to myself. For never giving up, giving myself grace during the hardest times of my life. For being patient with this project. It was a blessing that I waited in between because who I was in 2021 was different from who I was in 2024. I needed to grow, heal, and meet amazing people along the way to help me become the person I needed to be to finish this project. Great things don't come together overnight... but in months and years. And I completely trusted myself, the universe, the timing and process for all of this to come together. I am grateful to be lead here, and I am excited for the unlimited possibilities coming next.
With love, May See Yang.