Portraiture in the broadest sense
Jason Reading Photography
From Darkness – A Best-Selling Photography Book by Jason Reading

From Darkness – A Best-Selling Photography Book by Jason Reading

A Best-Selling Showcase of Dynamic and Evocative Portrait Photography

From Darkness is my best-selling fine-art portrait photography book, which brings together technical precision, creative vision, and the inspiring life story of Ed Akay in a compelling collection of images. Across five years of collaboration, this photographic biography captures Ed’s journey from early illness to extraordinary achievement, blending portraiture, action, and candid moments that reveal character, resilience, and determination.

Amazon Best Sellers page showing the book ‘From Darkness’ by Jason Reading and Ed Akay, featuring the full cover image and filmstrip highlighting its #1 ranking in the Portraits and Portrait Photography categories.

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Celebrating a Journey of Strength, Resilience, and Photography

From Darkness documents not only Ed Akay’s remarkable journey from childhood illness to becoming a three-time UK natural bodybuilding champion, but also the collaborative process that brought these images to life. Each photograph reflects a blend of artistic portraiture, carefully considered lighting, and candid moments that reveal personality and determination, giving readers both inspiration and insight into the art of fine portrait photography.

Ed Akay in black boxing trunks, trainers, and hand wraps, poised to throw an upper jab toward the camera in a dimly lit, decaying hallway. Ivy grows along the walls and a broken door leans nearby, while strong lighting highlights Ed’s muscular definition against a subdued, slightly grainy background. Image from November 2021, Open Air Workout / Urbex Shoot, showcasing a hybrid of fitness and horror photography.

Ed Akay wearing a black and red Chicago Bulls vest with NBA emblem and weightlifting gloves, holding two dumbbells while staring blankly at the camera. Shot from waist to just above his fringe, he stands in front of a subdued, grainy background of old garage units—one without a door, the other with a door pushed in and resting on a pile of debris, with graffiti visible on the column between them. Strong lighting highlights Ed’s form and the colors of his vest.

Ed Akay: Strength, Focus, and Determination in Motion

Beyond the studio, Ed’s dedication to physical excellence and his disciplined training are as compelling as his story. The images above capture him mid-workout, demonstrating both raw power and precise form, set against the textured, gritty backdrop of a decaying urban environment. Each frame not only highlights his extraordinary physique but also tells a visual story of resilience, focus, and the relentless pursuit of mastery.

Ed Akay in Rambo-inspired shoot, standing shirtless with mud on his torso, wearing a red bandana, aiming and firing a compact Kalashnikov replica with visible muzzle flash, intense expression and tension in neck muscles, outdoors with mud bank and greenery in the background.

Ed Akay in studio on black backdrop, seated and leaning forward, curling a dumbbell between his knees, wearing a green Celtics vest and weightlifting gloves, focused expression, dramatic lighting highlighting muscles and posture.

Presence, Poise and Relentless Progress

Across every session, Ed’s dedication is evident—whether in intense urban workouts, carefully controlled studio poses, or high-energy action sequences. The images capture not only physical prowess but also the focus and discipline that have defined his journey from childhood illness to natural bodybuilding champion. Each frame conveys resilience, character, and the quiet intensity of someone who has mastered both body and mind.

Page 32-33 double-page spread from From Darkness, showing a series of six MMA-inspired fitness and physique shots of Ed Akay. Left page has two portrait images; right page has four landscape images in a square arrangement. Ed wears MMA shorts and gloves, performing stances with fists raised, plus a close-up face shot. Backgrounds include red, yellow, blue, and white smoke, black with a hint of smoke, and a minimal close-up background. Bottom half of spread contains text and quotes from Ed about recovery, self-belief, and resilience.

Page 36-37 from From Darkness, showing Ed Akay kneeling in the sea, water reaching halfway up his thighs. He wears a bright orange Gold’s Gym vest and dark shorts, with torso straight, arms at his sides, and head turned to the side. The horizon sits just below centre, sky partly blue with clouds near the horizon. Lighting balances Ed against the slightly overcast background, showing him clearly as the central focal point.

Strength and Resilience in Motion

This section of the book highlights Ed’s ongoing dedication to physical fitness, capturing moments of controlled strength, focus, and perseverance. From the controlled stances of MMA-inspired shoots to powerful displays in natural settings, each image reflects the discipline and determination that have defined his journey. These portraits offer a glimpse into the balance between physical capability and the inner drive that has shaped Ed’s remarkable achievements.

Ed Akay in a gladiator-themed photoshoot on the moors, October 2022. Four images on the left show Ed in action poses wearing ragged leather boots, dark trousers, leather shoulder armour, and a grey wool cloak with decorative edging, wielding Celtic swords. The right-hand image is a full-page portrait with distance fog on the hills, Ed unshaven and battle-haggard with a replica gladiator helmet. Muted, bleak colors and overcast light convey the atmosphere of the grey day.

Ed Akay’s bodybuilding achievements showcased in a photoshoot. Top left: Ed with his wife Helen, holding his bicep and Helen dangling a medal over his shoulder. Top right: Ed performing a bodybuilding pose highlighting shoulder, arm, and chest. Bottom left: Ed displaying a large medal around his neck. Bottom right: Ed shirtless, wearing the same medal, performing a pose emphasizing his arms. Text on the left page details Ed’s bodybuilding background, competitions, trainer, and titles.

A Journey of Determination, Strength, and Collaboration

From Darkness not only celebrates Ed Akay’s remarkable achievements as a natural bodybuilder but also reflects five years of creative collaboration that captured his resilience, personality, and determination. Through studio, outdoor, and themed shoots, each image tells a story of strength, discipline, and artistry, weaving a compelling narrative that makes this book both a visual and biographical exploration.

Close-up portrait of Ed Akay leaning slightly forward, wearing a light-coloured hoodie and dark red tinted round glasses perched low on his nose, looking directly at the camera with a confident, engaging expression. Cropped just above his fringe, showing part of the hoodie and his face.

How I See My Work

I’ve never seen my photography as static. In the outset, I gravitated toward dark, cinematic images because the contrast felt powerful and expressive. Over time, I found myself drawn to brighter, cleaner, more vivid tones—images with a polished finish and colours that feel alive. It’s been a gradual shift, shaped by experience, experimentation, and the inspiring work I see other photographers create. One constant throughout this is that I’m drawn towards bold, impactful images, always searching for the strongest presence within.

Photographing artworks appeals to the technical side of me—the challenge is to reproduce them with absolute accuracy and fidelity. Photographing people is an exercise of everything else: creativity, storytelling, exploration, progression. I’m always trying to do more with my portraits—adding ideas, stories, props, or stylistic twists that elevate the image beyond a simple capture.

I can feel my future direction forming: highly polished work with bold colour and perhaps a sideline of fantasy-inspired elements built into the edit. What comes next for me will build on everything in this book… with a few surprises I’m still shaping.

Own a Copy of “From Darkness” – A Best-Selling Portrait Photography Book

Discover the full photographic biography of Ed Akay and the creative vision behind From Darkness. This best-selling collection brings together years of collaboration, technical mastery, and a compelling life story, beautifully presented in both print and digital formats. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a fan of inspiring personal stories, or simply looking for a striking coffee table book, this is a collection you won’t want to miss.

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