FINDING CALCUTTA: MEMOIRS OF A PHOTOGRAPHER is Released

FINDING CALCUTTA: MEMOIRS OF A PHOTOGRAPHER, written by Marie Bissell Constantin and published Lulu Press, Inc., is now available on http://www.lulu.com in e-book, paperback and hardcover. The cost of an e-book is $8.99; paperback is $14.99; and hardcover is $29.99. All 3 versions are also on other platforms like Amazon and Kindle, etc.

FINDING CALCUTTA: MEMOIRS OF A PHOTOGRAPHER, chronicles Constantin's photographic experiences with Mother Teresa and is a love story about the work of nuns. "I would hope in some way this book will help bring nuns back into the consciousness of people," said Constantin.

When the late Mother Teresa was alive, Constantin was invited to travel with an entourage capturing images of Mother Teresa and the sisters during the sister's vows ceremonies, and then afterwards in rare private moments behind the scenes. While Constantin's travels were for the purpose of giving the sisters photos of the ceremonies to send back home, she also wanted to become a nun. This was a good way for her to explore that path and maintain privacy while doing so. Even though she made three "Come-and Sees," short live-in stints with the order, Constantin never joined, but continued working with Catholic nuns who gave services to the poor.

While Constantin's commercial work takes her to industrial plants, hospitals and a host of hometown businesses in Baton Rouge, it was her personal work that took her to some of the world's worst slums-Calcutta, Haiti, Nicaragua and Tijuana-where she photographed or worked alongside Catholic nuns working with the poor. "Mother Teresa and all the nuns I was privileged to be around or write about stole my heart forever. I gave it back in this book," Constantin concluded.

"Finding Calcutta: Memoirs of a Photographer"
By Marie Constantin
ISBN: 978-1-4834-5476-4 (hardback) 978-1-4834-5478-8 (paperback) 978-1-4834-5477-1 (e-book)
Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book
Available on LULU, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Marie Bissell Constantin-an American still photographer-became internationally known for her photographic works of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta when the Vatican chose one of her photos to hang in St. Peter's Square for Mother Teresa's 2003 Beatification Ceremony. On September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa was declared a saint in a canonization Mass held by Pope Francis. While in Rome to attend the ceremony, Constantin learned her photo had been used on thousands of medals that were distributed.

USA Today's piece on Constantin's famous photo running prior to the canonization:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/09/02/famous-mother-teresa-photo-almost-never-released/89782002/

The Beatification photo was unveiled in front of over 300,000 people. During the celebrations Charles Osgood, with CBS Sunday Morning, featured Constantin in a 6-minute piece that showed more than 25 black-and-white photos Constantin made over a 13-year period.

CBS Sunday Morning's Charles Osgood piece that aired for Mother Teresa's Beatification:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww0wjLc1Go4

Since the Beatification, Constantin's images of Mother Teresa have appeared in numerous venues, including museums, for the public to enjoy. On September 1, 2016 the East Baton Rouge Parish Library at 7711 Goodwood Boulevard in Baton Rouge will display an 18-piece show called Finding Calcutta. The show just came back from Ave Maria University in Florida.

Ave Maria University students made this video from a talk given by Constantin in 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-pB4HN7bk

A native of Hartford, Connecticut, Marie attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, graduating with a journalism degree-yet she did not own a camera until the age of 32. Today she is in demand for commercial, corporate, editorial and humanitarian assignments.

For more information on Marie Constantin, please visit http://www.marieconstantin.com

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