Johnson book showcases 'Lure of Longboat'

Mary Lou Johnson’s summer project actually took four summers to complete.

A few years back, as her photography became more known, she started getting the question, “Do you have a book?” In some cases, people owned five or six of her canvas photographs and were out of wall space but still wanted photographs.

So, four summers ago, she started working on the project during the slow off-season. She compiled photographs, made lists of shots she wanted to take and in many cases, went back and reshot images.

The completed project is “The Lure of Longboat Key — Sunrise to Sunset.” It features approximately 150 of Johnson’s photos from the past 10 years.

Books are $65 and are available for pre-order on Johnson’s website, maryloujohnsonphotography.com. The book will be available at Longboat Key Publix, Mote Marine Aquarium’s gift shop, Resort at the Longboat Key Club’s gift shop, various restaurants and several locations on St. Armands Circle.

A percentage of book sales will benefit Mote and Girls Inc.

Johnson will sign copies of her book from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Garden Argosy, 361 St. Armands Circle, and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party at the Resort at Longboat Key Club’s Islandside driving range, 301 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].