Laura June Kirsch recently hosted a soft book launch for her book, “Romantic Lowlife Fantasies: Emerging Adults in the Age of Hope.”
This book is Kirsch’s first monograph, described as a photo retrospective that focuses on the variate of subcultures amongst millennials during the Obama era. In 2008 the economy was dealing with a financial crisis that affected many. This allowed people to create opportunities for themselves financially and socially. Most of the photos captured those within the music community, blending Kirsch’s love for music and passion for photography. The development of this project happened when Kirsh was shooting music events for work, showcasing her life, people, and communities. “Romantic Lowlife Fantasies” takes a unique take and understanding of youth embracing the circumstances surrounding them and finding ways to live their lives and “fantasies.”
Photography has played a meaningful role in Kirsch’s life. She began showing interest at the age of five, which continued to high school, where she started taking photography classes. She currently has a partnership with Vans, where she started as a resident photographer.
Kirsh spoke with The Knockturnal about her new book and detailed what fans will be able to see. Her work can be followed on Instagram @laurajunekirsch and @romanticlowlifefantasies.
The Knockturnal: Tell us about the launch party today?
Laura June Kirsch: The launch party has been crazy, because it has been pouring and it’s been really wonky with the weather this past week. It’s not going to rain, it’s going to light rain, it’s not going to rain at all, now it’s going to rain. It wasn’t raining when we first got here, which was good for us while loading in, but now it’s pouring rain. But, a lot of people came and I’m so grateful they are here and I’m honored they came out in this horrible weather.
The Knockturnal: Tell us about the book.
Laura June Kirsch: The book is called “Romantic Lowlife Fantasies: Emerging Adults in the Age of Hope” and it is a photo retrospective of millennials in subcultures during the Obama era, mostly shot around the music communities.
The Knockturnal: What inspired you to shoot this book?
Laura June Kirsch: I’ve always photographed just whatever is in my life and I’m a huge music fan. I was working in music around that time and shooting music events. That’s really what I was just doing with the people I was friends with and the communities I was in.
The Knockturnal: How did you get your start in photography?
Laura June Kirsch: I was always interested in photography, since I was a little kid. I started shooting at age five. Obviously I didn’t have a lot of money for film, when I got to high school I had a lot of photo classes and took everyone I could and got really into it.
The Knockturnal: Tell me about your partnership(s).
Laura June Kirsch: I am a resident photographer for Vans, i’ve been shooting with them for like 10 years. They had a House of Vans here, I was one of their photographers and we continued that relationship and it’s been a really beautiful thing. They have been very supportive and amazing, so incredible to work with as an artist.
The Knockturnal: What can people expect from you going forward?
Laura June Kirsch: A screenplay. Ideally, i’ve had a screenplay idea i’ve talked about with my friend from college that is a director. I’m hoping that would be my next thing honestly or maybe something with the NBA. I am a huge basketball fan and I would love to photograph more basketball stuff.
The Knockturnal: How did you get the book published?
Laura June Kirsch: It was a very long process. In 2016 I sat down and started going through my work and editing it down and taking meetings for years. I pretty much made the book into a deck, made a cover, wrote the intro, and did the whole thing and then got published.
The Knockturnal: Any final thoughts?
Laura June Kirsch: Buy the book!
