ABOUT

Soft Lightning Studio was establish in 2019 by artist, photographer, and educator Julie Rae Powers. Julie Rae's working class background from West Virginia has greatly informed the approach to publishing. Soft Lightning's mission is to produce photography and literature books by artists of different economic and identity experiences in small runs at moderately accessible pricing. Soft Lightning is independent, does not have non-profit status, and does not prioritize profit over artistic vision. Soft Lightning's beginnings were in publishing photography zines sourced from an open call as surveys of what is happening in the photographic realm around particular themes.

Since its inaugural year, Soft Lightning has published 6 zines, 1 poetry chapbook, and 1 book of artist work. The slow pace of publishing allows the press to be thoughtful and considerate of what makes its way into the world. Soft Lightning's first five years prioritized small run zines but in recent years has pivoted to doing pop-up art book events and leaning into book selling and curation for other small businesses.

Each of our titles published supports the vision of the press by putting forth photographs and stories from underserved populations in the United States. Many of our publications feature art and literature by marginalized artists whose work falls into niche categories not covered by broader artistic institutions and publishing authorities. It is important to the press to support artists in regional areas that are told that art does not exist in their communities when that is not the reality or lived experience of artists in those areas.