While the deep history of so many South Fork spots is evident in one of the newest coffee table books on the market – readers might not grasp the labor of love that went into creating the passion project that is “Out East from Above.”
Lainey Stewart and Kaeley Michaelson, sisters from Connecticut who summered on the South Fork and moved to Laurel on the North Fork, put together a comprehensive overview – literally – of their favorite spots on the Island.
“We’ve always had such a strong interest in supporting the local community and the businesses that we know and love, and the places that we know and love,” says Michaelson.
During the early days of the pandemic, Stewart, a creative director and photographer, got her drone license to shoot photos from a different perspective.
“The impetus for starting the coffee table book was really centered around Lainey’s passion,” says Michaelson.
The two had always dreamed of working together, Michaelson a sales, management and consulting professional. They saw an opportunity for their interests to align in creating this aesthetic guide to their second home.
Aware that Eastern Long Island art was a saturated market, Stewart and Michaelson knew they needed a way to make their book to stand out.
“If we’re going to put all the energy and effort into it, we might as well think about it before we do it and make sure there’s a differentiator here” says Stewart. “So, that became, ‘Let’s keep everything from above.’”
Michaelson focused on researching and writing supplemental text, to tell the stories behind the photos and locations.
The book, published earlier this spring, boasts a shoreline photo on the cover, blue and white edge printing and is divided into four categories.
First, “Stay Awhile” is a collection of drone and digital photos of lodging spots in the Hamptons.
They revisited their childhood favorite, Gurney’s Montauk Resort, and brought their family along to take pictures at The Crow’s Nest.
“The vibe [at The Crow’s Nest] is just so authentically Montauk,” says Michaelson. “Both of our husbands were there that day supporting us and my first son was not even a year old, and he was there with us. Lainey was pregnant with Madison, and we have a lot of behind-the-scenes photos from that day that are really special.”
Their next section, titled, “Get Lost” showcases aerial views of iconic spots including the Amber Waves Farms, Peconic Water Sports and Wölffer Estate, sparking a connection between the authors and Joey Wölffer, the owner, who wrote the book’s forward.
In the “Quality Eats” portion of the book, Stewart and Michaelson included a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, a few of which came from Inlet Seafood Dock & Restaurant in Montauk.
“We not only got to indulge in some food and have some quality alone time, solo, just Kaeley and I time, but we also got to chat with some of the fisherman,” says Stewart.
To close the book, Stewart and Michaelson placed the “Life’s a Beach” chapter, with photos of their favorite dunes, shores and waterways.
It was no easy feat, bringing the book to life. The co-author’s spent days shooting multiple locations, rescheduling due to weather and relying on family members for childcare while balancing their corporate roles and motherhood.
“Having something for us that we could dedicate to the kids, leaving some legacy for them is a beautiful thing,” says Michaelson.
The two are emotional, reflecting on the experience.
“I will forever beg Kaeley, let’s do this, let’s conquer this together,” says Stewart. “That was the whole entire point. Not to make money, literally just to be together, have an excuse to work together, to do something for each other with each other, all while becoming moms at the same time. That’s such a privilege and a gift.”
Get your hands on a copy here.
