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Photographer Nick Sethi visits Climax Bookstore in the East Village for his book launch of not one book, but three new photography books on May 3rd from Noon- 4 PM. Sethi is in the process of a life-long photographic project and releasing three books chronologically, what is next in his life journey.  “If you do a book launch for everyone, people don’t come all them, but if you stagger them in a way, you get to see all your friends!” said Sethi.

Sethi released three new books: “Sacred Journey”,” English Rose”, and “Figure 8” at his book launch. Friend and founder of Climax bookstore, Isabella Burley, came to the book launch, and  Sethi signed copies of his new book and a special limited-edition poster that came as a gift with purchase.

“Because it’s fam!” said Sethi, on why he chose Climax Books for the place for his book launch. “Now, I get to do something with Isabella and with Climax. My girlfriend Bella is on the cover of the book Sacred Journey. Both of them have been friends for some time, so it felt it was the right little wink up,” he said. “I like books, that’s why I did it today.”

Nick Sethi has been in photography since high school. Growing up in Florida, Sethi moved to India, the birthplace of his parents, for his senior year of high school.

During this time, he began using photography to break the language barrier and explore his new surroundings and connect with his new culture. He has an accomplished career as a commercial and fashion photographer with clients like Louis Vuitton, Replica, Hood by Air, Uniqlo, Retrosuperfuture, Valentino, Off-White, Miu Miu, Hommegirls, and Dazed Magazine.

Sethi is an accomplished author, releasing 35 books in the last two years, which include Pul Ke Niche in 2013 and Khichdi (Kitchari) in 2018, which chronicles his travels through India.

“I am just a guy who likes taking pictures,” said Sethi. In his career, he has self-published 60 photography books. Eight of these books in 2024 were part of the Dashwood Projects, a gallery on East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenue.

Sethi books are self-publish with a plan for an ultimate life project to his own autobiography told through pictures instead of words. Having all his books at home, once they are stack them up together and taped together is the book itself.

“I consider each book a chapter,” said Sethi. “I couldn’t pick a favorite because there are books individually, but I consider them to be chapters. The book is the thing, and each book can be about things that I like. It is kind of like the practice of making a mixtape. You don’t have to wait for the album, sometimes the mixtape can be better than the album,” he said.

Sethi has a busy summer ahead with other upcoming projects. He has a photoshoot schedule for the next day.  He is running a performance space called Tea Party on Friday, May 16th from 6 PM-9 PM at the Dokota on 110 Bowery Street.  “Everything keeps moving, and it is the best,” he said.

The upcoming show features Rhea Dillon, Sotce K8 Hardy, Cruz Valdez, Cynthia Laung, Precious Okoyomon and other surprise guests. The event is a fundraiser for the One Love Community Fridge and the COIN Program at Callen-Lorde.

Sethi continues the afternoon at his book launch signing copies and posters of his books attendees purchase at Climax Bookstore. He also took photos of the attendees with their signed books and posters, possibly for his next book.

He speaks to readers on his passion for photography and how he uses it to express himself saying, “I just want make things all the time and not wait 10 years or 15 years or never make things.”