Kickstarter

Hi, my name is Viktoria and I’m a photographer.  This is my dog Moose, and well…he’s a special dog.

I adopted Moose in Alaska when he was 4 months old and it was love at first sight. As he got older and bigger, it became clear that Moose wasn’t exactly normal.  It turned out that he had a condition called Wobbler’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by a compression of the spine in his neck.  Moose has trouble with stability, balance, and simple tasks like walking and standing up.  He even has to wear special shoes to protect his paws since he drags his feet, but he’s a happy trooper that never gives up.He’s now 2 years and 4 months old, and he’s overcome endless challenges, teaching those in his life, especially me, priceless lessons in patience and perseverance.He’s a sweet, adorable mess of resilient wobbly love.

As a photographer, I’ve traveled all over the world. In recent years, my photographic studies have pushed me to explore thousands of miles of back roads and desolate environments throughout North America.  I'm interested in the things we leave behind…homes, ghost towns, rusted cars…things that indicate past human presence, acting as clues that tell our stories.  Our world is fueled by progress, and it’s amazing to see the waste we discard in our landscape, mostly with little or no regard for the impact they make.

My last adventure, called ‘The Big V,’ led me through some 17,000 miles of back roads and desolate environments of the American continent.  From Alaska to Texas to Maine, I spent over two months living out of my pickup truck documenting areas most people wouldn’t think of traveling through, let alone actively seek out.  I posted photographs and stories from the road daily on my blog, and my readers got to vicariously experience the journey with me as I went along.

(Press on the BIG V: http://www.buffalospree.com/Blogs/Talk-about-Arts/Annual-2010/The-Big-V-is-a-Daily-Delight/)

In a few weeks, I’m going on the road again for another photographic adventure.  However, this time, I’ve been inspired by John Steinbeck's ‘Travels with Charley, and I’m taking Moose with me.  Together, we will explore the American and Canadian Northwest, driving from Buffalo, NY to Alaska, and back again.  Every day we will post photographs, and our findings and adventures for our readers to follow along.

The Project

The adventure itself will be about 10-12 thousand miles, over a duration of 4-6 weeks on the open road.  The project, and end product of this journey, will be a published book with working title “Travels with Moose.”  I have all the funding to complete the entire trip, including gas and supplies, but what I am asking of my backers, is the support to publish the book.  The cost of creating a book can add up: your contributions would support the preliminary prints, test books, editing and design fees that are required to complete this project.   I’ve previously self-published several photography books , but in order for an actual publishing house to take on my book, I need to prove that I have an audience as well as be ready to front certain publishing costs.  So, support from my backers is two-fold.  Though I need some financial assistance, I am especially looking to gain an extensive audience.  I can only complete this project with your support, and offer you my various rewards as my sincerest gratitude.

THE MORE SUPPORT I GET, THE BIGGER AND BETTER THIS BOOK CAN BE!! PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS PAWSIBLE!!!

Moose and I will be leaving Wed, August 8th and returning by October 1st.  You can follow us daily at http://viktoriaciostek.com/travelswithmoose/ 

Moose and I THANK YOU for your time and support, and we look forward to entertaining all of you from the road!