Outside: Photography, Poetry, Art & Essays

by Rachel Oates

All my life I’ve felt like an outsider but it was only when I was actually able to embrace being outside, both literally and metaphorically, that I found a place to fit in.

Outside is a collection of photography, art, poetry, and short personal essays exploring the interconnected relationship between identity, growth, creativity and nature.

From pottering around the garden with her very first camera as a child, to travelling the world, shooting live music, exhibiting her paintings for the very first time and running her Youtube channel, Rachel explores her own creative journey over the last 30+ years, in particular the role of the natural world in her own creative process, through a collection of essays and images.

Meanwhile, the 9 poems in this collection explore her childhood, identity, ambitions and fears, the struggles of growing up with undiagnosed autism, and one silly little, pun-filled poem dedicated to her dog, Kyra.

Genres: Poetry

Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2024

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a long-time viewer of Rachel, I really enjoyed reading and viewing this book. I can really hear her voice in everything she wrote, particularly the essays. As a fellow neuro-divergent woman, I got a lot of joy out of sharing Rachel's pure excitement about her interests in weeds, fungi, animals, etc (it made my hyper fixated brain very happy)

Her photography was by far my favorite part of the book, every picture was so breathtaking, and I have a love for plants like she does. She has an incredible talent for capturing nature.

I read this book on desktop kindle, and I think the book formatted pretty well. I was taken out of the immersion a bit by small grammatical errors that would have been solved by one more read-through, maybe by a third-party with fresh eyes.

Overall, this book was sweet, thought-provoking, and a joy to read. Great job, Rachel! I could not pretend to be near the poet you are, so I appreciate your vulnerability and thoughtfulness with your words.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits it out of the park. So impressed by Rachel Oates' second collection, which is about 20% poems and the rest photography, art, and essays like it says on the tin. I loved reading about her creative process, how art in all forms helps us understand one another, and seeing the world through her eyes. The physical book is absolutely stunning and well worth the $50 price tag--it would be an excellent coffee table book for anyone who likes nature (and animals). Rachel Oates is immensely talented and a real treasure. I will read everything she writes.

[Rachel Oates · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's finally finished, I'm finally happy with it. Am I biased in giving my own book 5 stars? Yes. But am I still going to do it? Also yes.

Thanks to everyone who's helped and supported me this whole time and finally helped me get over my little crisis and lack of confidence, it feels good to have come out the other side and finally be releasing this!

[Briar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent small collection. I'd recommend a physical copy. Take your time with the art. It's a nice little window into different ideas. Rachel, thank you for your work.

[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the poetry and photos, but disliked the essays/prose.