Retired nurse-turned-photographer offers artistic prescription for the soul in new coffee table book
‘Take Two Cameras and Call Me in the Morning – Volume 1’ combines photography with a mission of wellness
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – When retired nurse E. Gary Gum traded in his stethoscope for a camera, he found a new way to offer comfort and care. His debut book, “Take Two Cameras and Call Me in the Morning – Volume 1” (published by Archway Publishing), is a visually rich coffee table collection of photographs taken across North America and the Caribbean, paired with uplifting quotes designed to foster physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Inspired by his 40-year nursing career and his lifelong passion for photography, Gum set out to create a body of work that offers comfort and respite. In the same way he once eased physical and emotional pain at the bedside as a nurse, he now uses photography to help others pause, reflect, and find the strength they need to get through whatever obstacle and struggles they are facing.
“Take Two Cameras and Call Me in the Morning – Volume 1” features serene landscapes, vibrant wildlife and peaceful scenes that offer a quiet escape from the stresses of daily life. The book’s title, a play on the familiar medical phrase “Take two aspirins and call me in the morning,” reflects Gum’s belief in the healing potential of art. The images on each page are not just pretty pictures but restorative journeys meant to reconnect viewers with themselves and the world around them.
Whether seeking peace, encouragement, or simply a moment of calm, “Take Two Cameras and Call Me in the Morning – Volume 1” provides an artistic prescription for the soul. The book is available in print and digital formats through Archway Publishing and other major booksellers.
“Take Two Cameras and Call Me in the Morning – Volume 1”
By E. Gary Gum
Softcover | 11 x 8.5in | 38 pages | ISBN 9781665775939
E-Book | 38 pages | ISBN 9781665775946
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
E. Gary Gum, MSN, RN (Ret.), is the owner and photographer behind TopGum Photography, based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. With a background in nursing and a lifelong love for capturing beauty, Gum specializes in landscape, wildlife, and nature photography. His work has been featured by New Mexico Magazine, Arizona Highways, Memorial Medical Center, and the Art of Healing Exhibition at the New Mexico Cancer Center. Recently, his photograph “McCormick Mountain Malbec” won the Rio Grande Winery Photo Contest, showcasing his talent behind the lens. True to his career as a registered nurse, Gum’s ongoing objective to promote public and individual health and wellness is reflected in the TopGum Photography mission statement: Our mission is to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals of all ages through the world of photography.” View his work online at www.artpal.com/
Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit www.archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.