[Book Fundraiser] An IG Love Story
*Update (02/07/13):
In light of all the promoting and help that has come for Ale and his family during the #love_fundraiser we wanted to share a message from Ale’s wife, Vanessa:
Il vostro amore È come uno sprazzo di sole in una tempesta !!!!
Your love is like the Sun in a storm.
It all seems insurmountable but then when I read or talk with you (Raffa/Fra – contact to family) and I can feel the love that Ale was able to create, everything seems less heavy and I feel less alone!
Staying close to Alessio and try to continue to live fully our days is my only goal.
He, with his memory lapses, sorrows and pains every day. He still is always the same ironic and sweet person that I fell in love with 14 years ago!
I continue to believe with all the people around the world who think and pray for Alessio, maybe a miracle will happen.
The books are arriving in mailboxes all over the world! When you get yours, why not take a photo of it, post it, and tag it #love_fundraiser …share your love and tell us all where you are from!
Our goal is to raise $10,000. Please help us continue to help this precious family during their battle against Cancer.
Help spread the word! Facebook, Twitter, IG, Backspaces, G+, LinkedIn…all of it. Let’s show the world what our community is able to do!
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An IG Love Story
Most of us are drawn to our various social networking sites because of the interaction they provide us, the interpersonal relations with friends both near and far, the glimpses into the lives of people we may never meet, in the far corners of this ever-shrinking world. I call them my “imaginary friends,” and I’d imagine that most of you reading this understand what I mean.
Alessio Castaldo has a natural talent for fostering these relationships. Not only does he have an eye for amazing photography, but he takes an interest in people’s stories and always offers encouragement and positive feedback from his beautiful heart and soul. As the founder of Life to Music on Instagram, co-founder of The Minimals, and a regular contributor to We Are Juxt, he truly embraces the community aspect of social networking, and has built a wonderful loving community around himself.
In the same year he turned 40 and welcomed his first child, Ale was diagnosed with cancer, seven years after his first bout with the disease. Those of us in Ale’s “Inner Circle” (as he refers to us) have been devastated by this news, as he has become a dear friend and a brother to us. We have pulled together to help Ale and his family in the only way that makes sense – through our photographs. We have compiled a collection of gorgeous and evocative images, the theme of which is simply, “Love.”It is one of Alessio’s favorite subjects, and perfectly conveys the origin of this collaboration. It is the pictures that brought us all together, and the Love that has gathered us into a global family.
The response to this project was overwhelmingly positive. The reaction of every friend we asked to participate was: yes, of course! For me, this project is the perfect expression of the higher power of social networking – people coming together to do good for a friend in need. Some of the contributors are professional photographers, and without a doubt, all are artists, but none expects compensation for his or her work. 100% of the proceeds of this book will benefit Alessio and his family, to help defray his medical costs. It has indeed been a labor of Love for all involved.
There is a lot of talent on these pages, many of the names you’re sure to recognize.
Please take a look!
Click here for direct link to the book: “Love”
Ale’s Inner Circle
Contributors to “Love”
Anna Cox – Asia Janczak – BP – Bridgette Shima – Carlotta Bruno – Christian Baric – Christina Nordam Andersen – David Norbut - Francesco Castiglione – Gabriele Migliaccio – Giulio Giacconi – Graham Preston – Grechen Steele – Heidi Kehler Taylor – Jane Schultz – Jen L. Phillips – Joanna Dunford – Johnny Michael – Kael Rebick – Laura Peischl – Layal Arous – Leif Stark – Leisa Doherty – Marco Sartori – Marita Hodges – Matt Coch – Melanie de Krassel – Mellow Longfellow – Meredith Peyrot – Mike Hill – Naomi – Nei Cruz – Niall O’Leary – Nicholas Carron – Nikos Nikiforakis – Ope Odueyungbo – Raffamuffin - Rianne van de Kerkhof – Richard Koci-Hernandez – Sabine – Sam Smotherman – Sarah Mizrahi – Scott Johnson – Star Rush – Stefano Lauriola – Tammy George – Tara Morelli – Thomas Kakareko – Tim O’Brien – Tina Berg - Tony Marquez – Yvonne Bouman
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When you’re down and out / When you’re on the street / When evening falls so hard I will comfort you / I’ll take your part / When darkness comes / And pain is all around / Like a bridge over troubled water / I will lay me down / Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” ©
Simon & Garfunkle, 1970
#LifetoMusic
Please consider purchasing this book. All proceeds will go towards the medical bills for his treatment.
Big Thanks to Blurb for their support of the mobile photography community!
We are pretty proud of our partnership with the great folks at Blurb. See their article on Juxt!
*Offer valid through February 8, 2013 (11:59 p.m. local time). A 25% discount is applied to the product total for a single copy for “love.” by Inner Circle Maximum discount is USD $16, GBP £10, EUR €13, CAD $17, or AUD $18 off product total. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders. Please note, January 31st is the last day to place your order for Valentine’s delivery.
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- Love, un libro fotografico per una raccolta fondi | Instagramers Italia - [...] intervistato del nostro sito quasi un anno fa, membro fondare di The Minimals e colonna portante di We Are ...
- Love, un libro fotografico per una raccolta fondi | Instagramers Italia - [...] intervistato del nostro sito quasi un anno fa, membro fondare di The Minimals e colonna portante di We Are ...
- Per Alessio Castaldo | orazio spoto - [...] grande amico della community degli Instagramers, Alessio Castaldo, ha bisogno di una mano. Qui tutte le informazioni per attivarvi, ...
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Newsletter
JUXT SOCIAL
[Book Fundraiser] love.
Juxt: 1000 Words
JUXT Loves…
I have no words! My heart is so full!
Much love,
Nei
Nei, i know you understand this heartache!
A book to celebrate love by thise who love – my heart overflows xxx
I have just seen Francesco Castiglione’s entry on Facebook and was shocked and saddened to learn of Alessio Castaldo’s illness. Ale and I, and the other Minimals have become friends through this site and EyeEm +Twitter over the past year or so, always full of praise and encouragement for my work, he is a star among men.
I have just ordered the book and cant wait to see it.
Get well soon my friend.
Pitbull
Last summer, I posted a photo on EyeEm full of love: ,y eldest daughter, Candela, and my wife, head to head. Ale saw it and just loved it. I wish this pic had been included in the beeok. I can´t think of a better tribute to him than this.
Be strong, Ale, cancer can be defeated! Good luck, my friend!!
Luis
Dearest Luis…I hope you know that your photo was included, in spirit. Thank you so very much for your supportive words, they are also a tribute to Ale.
Wonderful book with such a great purpose behind it.
Will share the page, buy one, and hopefully you will sell millions of them!
You know how much I love you Ale… I wish I wasn’t caught up with my problems and gave my photo in time. Still, I love every bit of this initiative because it is for the greatest cause and brings out all the best ig has to offer. Thanks Bradley and Rianne and anyone else involved in putting this together.
i´m sorry too, Niovy but you are there in thoughts, be sure of that. Thank you for all the time you did spend on it! I will make sure Ale will know about that.
I’m with Nei. So much emotion just reading this. Even without meeting Ale in person, his words and photography have touched me so much.
I hope we can spread the love and have his story heard all over the world.
Sending strength to you and your family, Ale. Much love my friend!
hey sweets! our comments are being wonky! But wanted you to know Layal replied to you just in case you hadn’t gotten a notification.
What a wonderfully loving thing to do for your friend. I look forward to seeing all the ‘love’
Nei said everything I am feeling. Love you, Ale x
I had no idea! Thank you for posting this on Facebook! I was thinking of Ale just yesterday in fact, realizing I hadn’t seen or heard much from him lately. It’s just so sad . . . and unfair. This book is a wonderful idea and I look forward to receiving my copy. Stay strong Ale! xoxo
My love is with you Ale, your family, your inner circle. x
Ale my friend, I’m in tears over this, but I feel the love of the community for you. I’m happy that we can be here for you, you’re strongly in our thoughts. Be well, get well my friend!
Thaks for your support janine! We can’t wait to see it in print too!
Thanks for your support Liz…Hope you enjoy the book!
Nei, you have spoken for all of us. Thank you for that
A beautiful comment. thank you kaaren for your love also, and for your support!
A star among men, indeed. Thank you so much for your support, Pitbull.
Lola, with all this love, and your help, we know we can!
Thank you Niovy for your support and words…I am sure Ale knows all you hold in your heart.
Bridgette, you have so eloquently echoed what we are all feeling. Thank you so much for your comment. Let’s spread the love!
I feel full of emotion reading this and am lost for words. Love is the most important subject to you Ale. For me you are a living testament to that, with all the love and friendship you give so many of us in the community. My heart is full of love and prayers for you and your family. I can’t wait to receive this beautiful book, a wonderful gesture of such Love . Much love my friend. xx
Thank you for partnering with us to support Ale Norma! I know he feels the love and support!
Can’t wait for mine to get here!
thanks for submitting Mike! and glad we are “book buddies” hahaha
Much love for Ale, his family and the Juxt team for thinking community.
community makes it all worth it wouldn’t you agree? The photography brings us, the community keeps us.
I do agree, Anna! I have learned many things from Ale, Juxt and the mobile photography community! Actions like this book keep me in good spirits that community moves good things forward.
My heart and prayers go out to Ale and his family. Such a wonderful community here on IG to help him through this. Thank you Heidi for inviting me to contribute, I was not able to make it in time but I will be getting a book. So much emotion, brings tears to my eyes.
I first came across Alessio on Google+ – and I remember him for his generosity and his kindness. Being a ‘latecomer’ to mobile photography, I was only coming to know about certain people and I never knew of him – how humble he is. I am one of those people, I tend to be quiet in my support – but in this case, I feel the need to say something. I think when you share a common love with people and you become part of a community, no matter how far or near, you feel it a lot when someone in the community is hurting or unwell.
Dear Michelle, you are so right! Both for Ale and the distance. Distances aren´t important. It´s what we feel and share. Thank you!
Ale: We Love you and Hope this book provides the strength that you three require.
I feel so proud to be part of this project. and so prooud of the community spirit that shines through the IG Community we all love and feel very closely connected and forever linked. much love and grateful thanks to all the dedicated IGers behind this great project and thanks to all the beautiful photos contributed.
much much love sarah xxxxx
PS I just order two deluxe copies and cant wait to see it.
Dear Sarah, we are very thankful for your contribution! It´s so very you and I know Ale loves it.
I would like to say:
T H A N K H S to everybody has made possible to transform this big Idea into a real wonderful book full of …Love,
T H A N K H S to the Friends who has worked on it,
T H A N K H S to internet who has connected us beyond the oceans and
a specially T H A N K H S to you Ale, for being our “Glue”
With …Love,
Stefano
I love how you say that, Ale being the glue. Without him we never had met and I for one are thankful for that. Thank you for your beautiful contribution.
Saddened. Moved. Shocked. Ale, I’m a huge fan of not only your images, but you, as well. You’ve got a big personality and a big heart, and clearly I’m not the only one who thinks so. Thank you to those that made this book happen. This is a wonderful community. xo, Amy.
Thank you Amy for your loving words.It´s great to share this love for Ale with people all over the world. And please help us to promote this book in whatever way you can!
what a beautiful book and well done to everyone who made this book possible. As for my friend Alessio Castaldo, who brought me to the Life To Music community. I wish you all the best and strength to fight against this never ending battle of cancer.
I can’t wait to get hold of this book
We can´t wait either
Ale is truly touched by all the love he is getting. Thank you John.
whoa, i’m incredibly proud to have been featured with such fine company. it’s such a difficult reason for us to have been brought together, but my ig experience isn’t what it is without bp and ale. if anyone would be willing to do this again for other non-profit occasions, please keep me in mind. it’s such a wonderful way to give back.
Agreeing with you totally, Tony! They brought us all together. We are very happy with your contribution too. Thank you for being there.
Sono senza parole … complimenti a tutti per questo grande gesto d’amore!
I have come to know Ale thru IG as a brother. He has helped me so much thru many situations… made me laugh, cry… a true friend. This book means so much to all of us. Our tribute to our love for Ale.
Ale, unfortunately I didn’t know you. What I know is that I will know you. You have the love and energy of so many people, including myself. Have faith and all this will be history soon. I wish I could do more than just buying the book. You can’t buy love… and you will receive more than you’ve ever thought you would.
Take care brother.
You are right, Nikos, you can´t buy love, it´s a gift. And the love Alessio is getting from all around the world is the best gift anyone can get. So thank you for being here with us.
Dear Ale, I was so sad being the one knowing about this sooo late.. I’m sorry for my ignorance, as I was drawn into a social project for the last 3 weeks due to the floods in Jakarta (my city). Much love for you Ale… You’re not alone, from your Indonesian family
I´m so sorry to hear, Linda
I hope you and your loved ones are ok, and the consequenses in your city and for the people living there, aren’t too big. Thank you for finding the time to send your love to Ale. I know he appreciates it very much.
Those who know me know that my English is not my best …. not know about the book, I would have seen earlier … the I’ll buy this book is nothing compared to the love and positive thoughts I have for you crazy bro.
love and kisses
from GREECE
Zoe
It doesn´t matter, Zoe. Distances, languages, it isn´t important when it comes to love, is it? Alessio feels all the love and it gives him strength. Thakn you for that!