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Michael Blanchard
Inspirational Photography
News - Blog
April 1, 2021
Great news! The second edition of my first book "Fighting For My Life" has been named an awards finalist by the Independent Book Publishing Association for the 2021 Ben Franklin awards in the category of "Art And Photography". As I finalist I will receive either the silver or gold award. The awards show is in May. Wish me luck. PS: My book "Through A Sober Lens" won the gold award in the categories of interior design and most inspirational story, in 2020. It is a great honor and I am grateful. You can tune in and watch and here is the link:
March 30, 2021
Please join me on April 15th at 4 PM ET for my presentation to Musicares on "Post Traumatic Growth and Healing from Addiction. Musicares is the philanthropic arm of the Recording Company who puts on the Grammy Awards. The seminar is available to their musicians and you never know who is going to show up! The program will be delivered by zoom and requires advance sign-up. It's for free!! Just click the link below.
March 30, 2021
On April 12th from 7-11 Fox News Radio has signed me up for a nation-wide radio tour of 16 different stations all across the country. Every 15 minutes from 7 AM to 11 AM ET I will jump to a different station and get interviewed on my story, my mission, and to discuss my two books: "Through A Sober lens" and "Fighting for my life". Stay tuned on my Facebook page for the exact schedule when it is made available to me. This should be amazing.
March 30, 2021
I learned yesterday the article published in Recovery Today Magazine this month, was so well-received I am starting a monthly column with my words and pictures. The March issue will feature photographs and thoughts from my 3-week road trip out West. Sign up to receive your monthly issue at recoverytodaymagazine.com. It's FREE!
March 12, 2021
An excerpt from my book "Through A Sober Lens" on the story of "Intimacy and Alcohol" on the recovery site "The Fix".
March 12, 2021
I am very proud of this article. I received the feature in the international publication of "Recovery Today Magazine". They were so kind in labeling me "The Ansel Adams of Recovery". Take a look by clicking the following link:
February 27, 2021
I really enjoyed my interview on WHRI in South Carolina last week. Another opportunity to talk about my book Through A Sober Lens and help people with addictions. You can listen in by clicking the following link.
February 20, 2021
A nice article on "Through A Sober Lens" on the internet technology site called the Vistek. They have a international audience. Just click this link to read.
February 19, 2021
My first movie appearance and release!!! The documentary movie "Straight To Tell" is now available to stream on-line. I am so proud to be a part of this Martha's Vineyard effort to change norms around substance use on the Island. A number of courageous souls tell their stories of recovery with the goal of reducing stigma and promoting a greater understanding of the disease. Just click this link to watch the movie.
February 19, 2021
I am so proud of this. Here is the press release announcing a portion of sales of "Through A Sober Lens" will go to supporting Musicares, which is the charitable foundation of the Recording Company and the Grammy Awards.
February 19, 2021
Red River Paper is prominent in the photography industry. It makes me happy when my work bridges both the world of art and the world of recovery. I want to thank Arthur Bleich for his thoughtful article in carrying the word that photography is both a form of art and a means of healing.
January 27, 2021
If I had to pick one Podcast that expresses most clearly what I need to say in this life, it would be this "Soul Candy" podcast with Anne Alexander. She is a best selling author and amazing person. If you have 45 minutes have a listen!
January 27, 2021
"Through A Sober Lens" has made its way to the Target Website. Target usually takes books only from large publishers but thanks to my partner Julian Wise, we did it. Be sure to have friends buy the books by clicking this link so we can prove we belong!
January 2, 2021
My first Podcast in the United Kingdom. Michael Levy is an amazing poet and philosopher. Have a listen:
January 1, 2021
Welcome to 2021! I was honored to appear on the podcast "Mending Broken Beliefs" with Eden Busani. A great way to start the new year by helping people recover from addiction. Have a listen:
December 15, 2020
Really nice article on my new book "Through A Sober Lens" in the international publication of the organization known as "Thrive Global". Click the following link to take a look!! Have a great day!
December 1, 2020
Really nice article on my new book "Through A Sober Lens" in the international publication of the organization known as "Art Daily". Click the following link to take a look!! Have a great day!
November 30, 2020
I was pleased to be the guest on the well-known "Bubble Hour" podcast with Jean McCarthy. She is an amazing person and we hope the show helps those suffering from addiction. Here is the link:
November 25, 2020
OMG - big news. Somehow, with the hard work of his friend and publisher Julian Wise, we just entered into an agreement with MusiCares, who is the charitable organization of the company that puts on the Grammy Awards. MusiCares is an incredible organization that helps musicians and also focuses the music industry on giving back. They have an annual person of the year award which was given this year to Aerosmith for their charitable work. They have agreed to promote my new book "Through A Sober Lens" to individuals fighting substance use, and we have agreed to donate a portion of each book sale to their charitable foundation. I will be speaking with their senior director in a week or two to talk about imagery as a means of helping people recover from addiction. I hope this helps us get my book into the hands of people that need it. No words to tell Julian how grateful I am for his hard work.
November 22, 2020
Really nice article in Cape Cod Life Magazine on my book "Through A Sober lens". Many thanks to Christina Galt.
November 10, 2020
One of my photographs has become an entire hallway at a medical office building in Weymouth. My photos can be made into large wall posters. Let me know if you would have interest for your office building! Have a great day!
November 5, 2020
Thanks to you we did it again! The 2021 Inspirational Calendar is nearly sold out. Brodie and I were able to present Lisa Belcastro and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a check for $5,000 to support their efforts here on Martha's Vineyard. Thank you so much for your help!
October 30, 2020
"Through A Sober Lens" made it on the front page of the USA Reformer Newspaper, just under an article on Joni Mitchell. Very grateful!
October 30, 2020
"Through A Sober Lens" was picked up on a number of newswires. We are continuing to get the word out on the book!!!!
October 28, 2020
"Through A Sober Lens" scored a perfect 5 out of 5 on the prestigious "Reader's Favorite" site. Take a look:
October 25, 2020
I am so proud to have my Gallery become part of the African American Heritage Trail in honoring "Emma Maitland" who lived on our street. Here is a nice article in the MV Times describing the unveiling of a plaque in her honor.
October 1, 2020
I want to thank Chase Lee for including me on his podcast that seeks to address issues around addiction. We discuss relapse on his program called "Stone Cold Moderation". Have a listen!
September 30, 2020
"Through A Sober Lens" made it onto the front page of the California Herald!!
September 15, 2020
A nice on-line article on "Through A Sober Lens" in the Digital Journal.
Sept 13, 2020
I sincerely believe I was separated at birth from my twin! I recorded the attached podcast yesterday with Alan Scherer Photographer. A recovering addict/alcoholic who found photography as his savior. Sounds sorta familiar.!! LOL I felt like I was talking to myself in the mirror. He is a kind, decent, passionate and knowledgeable person and I really enjoyed sitting with him to record this session. We talked about addiction, hope, recovery and art. Alan received a copy of my new book "Through A Sober Lens" from the Herren Project and he was kind enough to let me know the book touched him. I hope you enjoy it and will follow his site.
August 13, 2020
My book "Through A Sober Lens" made into Publisher's Weekly Magazine which is one of the largest in the publishing world. Here is the link:
August 12, 2020
I really appreciated the video endorsement of my book "Through A Sober Lens" by Lance Bass who was a member of the singing group NSYNC. Very much appreciated!! Here is the link:
June 7, 2020
Really nice article in the Cape Cod Times this morning on my new book "Through A Sober Lens" Just click this link:
May 24, 2020
Enjoy a virtual tour of Crossroads gallery. We hope to open mid-June! Click this link:
May 24, 2020
Tony Smalls (mini-horse) artwork will be sold at my gallery this summer and on this web page for charity. Check out my video by clicking this link:
TONY SMALLS
May 16, 2020
In case you missed it, and are tired of COVID, fly with me over Martha's Vineyard. Click this link:
May 14, 2020
We have some new "Through A Sober Lens" promotional videos. Email me with the one you like best! Just click each book cover!!
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
May 5, 2020
We did it!!! Ben Franklin Gold Award winner in 2 categories!!!!!!!
"Through A Sober Lens" took the Gold at the prestigious Ben Franklin Awards by the Independent Book Publisher's Association in California this week. My book won the Gold for Best Interior Design and for Most Inspirational Story. 1700 other books were in the running. Many thanks to Lara O'Brien, Julian Wise, Alex Elvin and Allison Simon for their amazing work and making the book possible.
Here are the actual award announcements:
APRIL 5, 2020
Thanks to the help of all my Facebook friends we have selected the cover for the second edition of my first book "Fighting For My Life". The first 2500 copies sold out. By popular demand we are reprinting. The same short and simple story and refelctions but with all new photography. The book will be soft cover so it can get into prisons and institutions and people who need it most.
APRIL 4, 2020
I really enjoyed being on NPR radio this week. Please check out "The Point" with Mindy Todd on WCAI. Click this WCAI logo and you will be taken to their site to hear about my new book "Through A Sober Lens" and issues facing recovery programs in the face of Corona Virus.
April 1, 2020
I am so excited. "Through A Sober Lens" has won either the Gold or Silver awards for interior book design and inspirational story in the Ben Franklin Awards by the Independent Book Publishers Association in California. We find out in May if we won the Gold. Regardless, it is a high honor out to be selected in two categories out of the 1700 independent books chosen for consideration out of all the books published in 2019. Stay Tuned!.
March 7, 2020
I had so much fun doing this interview with April Eichhorn O'Leary from O'Leary Publishing. If you didn't have the chance to see the 36 minutes on Facebook, here is the link to the podcast. Just click the photo of April. Her podcast is called "I'm Booked".
March 6, 2020
It's Official. I am teaming up with the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust to do two cell phone photography workshops, and a cell phone photography week-long exhibition, at the Carnegie as part of ARTS WEEK on Martha's Vineyard the first week of May. The workshops will help you take your best pictures, followed by an exposition at the Carnegie of printed cell phone photos. I am excited to be curating the show and facilitating the workshops! Here are screenshots of each program but all you have to do to sign up is click this link:
March 1, 2020
Appearing in my first Movie!!
Barbara Bates Conroy is an angel. Her son died of a heroin overdose and her passion to tell his story has lead to the release of a documentary at the end of the month. I am honored to be a part of the movie with national experts and politicians like Patrick Kennedy and Senator Blumenthal. Sherry Sidoti and I make up the Martha's Vineyard contingent. Barbara lives here in the summer. We have small parts but represent how Art and Yoga / Mediation can provide a path to recovery. I believe there will be a Martha's Vineyard premier later this Spring or Summer and I will let you know where/when/how to watch the movie.
January 30, 2020
Really hard to believe but my book "Through A Sober Lens" just hit number 2 as an Amazon Best Seller in Landscape Photography. There are tens of thousands of books and I am so happy. We also hit the top 25 in the categories of alcoholism and addiction.
January 30, 2020
Kirkus is one of the more renowned book reviewers in the country. I am so pleased we just received this email. I will let you know when we get the issue!
This message is for Michael Blanchard,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to let you know that THROUGH A SOBER LENS has been selected by our Indie editors to be included in the 2/1 issue of Kirkus Reviews. Congratulations on the feature! Less than 10% of Indie authors are selected for this. Your review will be included as 1 of 35 reviews in the Indie section of the magazine which goes out to industry professionals (literary agents, librarians, publishers, book sellers, film executives, etc.).
December 30, 2019
Great way to end the New Year. really nice article today on my new book "Through A Sober Lens" in the Martha's Vineyard Gazette!
Here is the link: Click ME
December 26, 2019
Our first two professional book reviews are in for my new Book: Through A Sober Lens: A Photographer's Journey
Both Kirkus and Forward Reviews can be brutal so I am very happy. Just click the name to see the review:
December 22, 2019
Thank you for all of you who purchased my calendar!!! We were able to donate $5000 to Misty Meadows and their Equine Programs to help kids with disabilities. AMAZING!!
December 21, 2019
I am person of the week on WMVY Radio!! Here is the link:
December 20, 2019
Where can you find my New Book on Martha's Vineyard and beyond?
- Right here on my website
- Amazon.com - search on "Through A Sober Lens"
- Bunch Of Grapes Bookstore
- Edgartown Books
- Phillips Hardware in Oak Bluffs
- Refabulous in Vineyard Haven
- Cronig's in Vineyard Haven
- MYX Market at the Kelley House in Edgartown
- Vineyard Arts Gallery in Vineyard Haven
November 26, 2019
Really nice article in the Martha's Vineyard Times on my new book:
Here is the link: Through A Sober Lens Link
November 15, 2019
My new book, my photography and story are now available in the Fall Issue of Vineyard Style Magazine
I really appreciate Charlie and the gang at Vineyard Style.
November 12, 2019
My Radio interview on Boston's Frankie Boyer show is now available on-line
The show is titled: "The Frankie Boyer Show"
Just click this link to listen: Michael Blanchard Boston
November 11, 2019
My Podcast interview with Divya Parekh and the show "Beyond Confidence" is now available on IHeart radio
The show is titled: "From Collapse To A Compassionate Life"
Just click this link to listen: Michael Blanchard Beyond Confidence
November 10, 2019
Michael Blanchard and Post Traumatic Growth
The Dots Podcast
Listen on
Michael Blanchard was a successful health care executive fulfilling the corporate dream and becoming what the world thought he should be when addiction to alcohol changed everything. Today Michael is a self-taught landscape photographer living and working on Martha's Vineyard. He is a speaker and author of two books. Additionally, he has an MA in Psychology and has developed a method called Post Traumatic Growth.
October 29, 2019
Check out my new Fall Video of Martha's Vineyard that I posted on Facebook this morning. Click this link:
FALL 2019 OVER MARTHA"S VINEYARD
October 27, 2019
My new book "Through A Sober lens: A Photographer's Journey" has been printed and 3000 books are on their way!!! Finally! They will be in stock by the end of November. Stay tuned for an extensive roll-out including book signings, radio shows, magazines and library talks. More to follow!
If you haven't seen my promotional video, just click here. I hope you enjoy it!
Through A Sober Lens Promo Video
June 16, 2019
The Vineyard Serenity Calendar is back for 2019-2020!!!!
I made, and released a video 2-days ago announcing the 2019-2020 Vineyard Serenity Calendar. I attached a link to the 4-minute video below.
The calendar will be used to raise money for Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center. I hope to raise $15,000 for their amazing programs.
I run a “Preorder” to help fund the project. You can see images of the front, back and some middle sections. It runs from September 2019 – December 2020 – a full sixteen months. The photographs were selected in voting here on Facebook. I also include some inspirational thoughts each month that I hope adds meaning to the photographs. We are including pictures and letters from students who have benefited from their experiences with horses. Whether the child is autistic or has cerebral palsy, miracles happen here on a daily basis.
Some facts:
-The calendar is 14x11 that folds open to 14x22
-The images and paper are of high quality.
-The calendar boxes are large and allow the writing of appointments and notes
-Inspirational thoughts by me each month
-Printed and delivered in May to preorder customers
-In stores on Martha’s Vineyard this summer
For the honor of holding your money for 2 months in funding the project I will raffle five 18x24 framed prints of this photograph of the Edgartown Light at sunrise. The five, signed prints, will be limited editions, and all who preorder are eligible for the drawing. Five people will win a free, framed print valued at $400.
The preorder is available at
www.blanchardphotomv.com/vineyard-serenity-calendar
This is the link to my 4-minute video.
https://youtu.be/f4Dd_7aT6ew
Please let me know if you have any questions. I really appreciate your help!!
March 7, 2019
Kelly Jean Mcguiggin and John Murphy lost their kids to addiction.
These two amazing people sat with me last week and recorded a 30-minute program on MVTV to talk about their loss and steps we can take to prevent other parents from experiencing the same terrible outcome. This is the latest episode of our weekly program "Addiction - Got a minute" that is described in this week's Martha's Vineyard Times. I also included the Youtube link to watch the program. Very powerful and I want to thank both of them for the courage to do this. These two photos are of Colin and Jolene who died way too young - Colin of a Heroin overdose in his dorm room in 2016; and Jolene drunk driving at the age of 17, 20 years ago. I included a poem written by Jolene before she passed that shows the anxiety kids face. We need to find a way to prevent this.
MVTimes article: https://www.mvtimes.com/20…/…/06/mvtvs-addiction-got-minute/
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/23Yj0EzPsKE
February 21, 2019
Another video - my latest creation. The end of February 2019 over Martha's Vineyard. I hope you enjoy it
Click me: Over Martha's Vineyard February 21, 2019
And here is the latest installment of my TV show called "Addiction - Gota Minute" - Episode 12B
February 7, 2019
I am starting into videography. I took these drone videos this month and put them to music. I hope you enjoy it!
February 2019
Martha's Vineyard Television
I am no co-hosting a weekly talk show with Howie Marlin. The 30 minute program is titled "Addiction: Got a minute?". This is an important show if you are contemplating rehab! Check out all the shows on www.mvtv.org
December 2018
Martha's Vineyard Television
I am no co-hosting a weekly talk show with Howie Marlin. The 30 minute program is titled "Addiction: Got a minute?". Attached are the links to shows 3-6. We have enjoyed the process and would like feedback. Let me know what you think and how we could improve. Happy New Year to everyone!!!
November 2018
Martha's Vineyard Television
I am no co-hosting a weekly talk show with Howie Marlin. The 30 minute program is titled "Addiction: Got a minute?". We have taped the first two shows and here is the link to program #2 which aired on November 16, 2018. We hope to share our experience and invite guests to discuss addiction issues as they pertain to the residents of Martha's Vineyard.
May 2018
WMVY Radio Guest Host
I really enjoyed my show on WMVY Night Casts. I was challenged to come up with nine songs that captured my journey from alcoholism to recovery. It was a very cathartic process. I consider this program one of the most meaningful things I have ever done.
The folks at mvyradio were kind enough to distill down the 2 hour Night Cast show, to the 67 minutes with my 9 songs and my interview with Laurel Redington Whitaker, If you were unable to listen last night at 10 PM, here it is. Playing the music, and thinking about these songs really helped me in ways I didn't expect. I appreciate the folks at MVY Radio doing this. I hope you enjoy it. Just click and listen. Have a great night
Click this link to listen to the show
May 2018
Cape Cod Life Magazine
My photography and story are featured in the Spring issue of Cape Cod Life Magazine. Honored to be a part of this publication. Just click this cover photo and and you will connected to the story on their web site.
Jan 2018
Vineyard Style Magazine
My Drone photography and story are featured in the Winter issue of Vineyard Style Magazine. My photo of the Gay Head Light graces the cover. Honored to be a part of this publication. Click the photograph of the Gay Head Light to get to the Vineyard Style site to purchase the issue.
December 2017
2017 Year in Review!
Just for the heck of it I went back through 2017 to track events or initiatives that I was involved in, that made it into the Martha’s Vineyard newspapers. I thought you might enjoy these links that serve to summarize my accomplishments in 2017. Just click any of the links and you will be brought to the articles. Have a great day!
http://www.mvtimes.com/2018/01/03/alternative-pathway-recovery/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/11/29/using-imagery-fight-addiction/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/12/27/quite-community-weve-got/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/12/19/2018s-best-vineyard-wall-calendars/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/12/13/rising-tide-mvchc-collaborate-therapeutic-riding/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/12/12/blueray-noepe-design-refabulous-plan-grand-opening/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/08/15/long-time-coming/
http://www.mvtimes.com/2017/05/30/pictures-speak-thousand-words/
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