Galactic 50: A Photography Project

Hello! My name is Tony Curado and I am an artist, photographer, and writer about to start on a journey of Galactic Proportions! I am starting this gofundme page as I get ready to start a major project, one that I hope will help jumpstart my professional photography career. The project is photographing the Milky Way in all 50 states of the United States. In the end I will be creating a book that I will publish. I am self funding the majority of this project and have already raised most of the funds for the 1st half of the trip myself. I have started this campaign so I can purchase some additional things for the trip to add value for my followers. I'm looking into getting some gopros, timelapse equipment, possibly a drone and other things that will help me bring my adventure and love for all things photography closer to my followers. I was trying to raise all the funds for this trip myself, but recently I was laid off from my job and am currently looking for new work. Between searching for work and planning this trip it has been really tough generating and saving the addiontal money I was hoping to. A friend suggested giving this a try so here I am. The first part of this trip starts at the end of June and will last till the end of August, possibly into the first week of September if all goes well. 
My journey in photography has been a long hard road, which I am very thankful for. I believe the best art comes from the struggles within and while I have been blessed in my life with an amazing and supportive family and friends, my journey into becoming a professional photographer has not been so blessed. I have done every photography job you could think of for the last 10 or so years and while I have found success in many of those jobs, however,in the end none of them gave me the satisifaction I get from traveling and photographing this beautiful country and writing about it. In hopes of finding an avenue in photography where I can support myself and my art, I came up with this project to help get my art out to as many people as possible. With your help, I will be able to make this trip one that not only I will never forget but one I can share to the world, while bringing even more content to everyone, as well. 
I'm hoping to find a publisher for my book that I will be creating for this project but if I can't I will use whatever funds I have leftover from this campaign to selfpublish my book. For anyone that is able to help me out I will be offering the book at cost. This is my way of saying thanks for whatever help you can afford. You can check out my work at truevisionphotos.com, be sure to follow me so you can see the trip unfold before your eyes. Thanks in advance for all who have taken the time to read this even if you can't donate I appreciate you taking the time to read this!