Kayaking Moments of Zen by Jon R. Constant
The Serenity of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula
New Photo Collection Kayaking Moments of Zen Captures Peace and Serenity on Michigan’s Leelanau Waters
Traverse City, Michigan—Mission Point Press announces the release of Kayaking Moments of Zen, a new photography book by Jon Constant.
In Kayaking Moments of Zen, author and photographer Jon Constant undertakes a visual exploration of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula from the perspective of a kayak cockpit. Rather than relying on high-end camera rigs, Constant uses a mobile phone to capture beautiful, unpolished moments of inspiration on the water. Through these images, Constant demonstrates that finding peace in a loud world depends not on sophisticated gear, but on your willingness to pay attention to the present moment.
Readers interested in water sports, Great Lakes travel, landscape photography, and wellness through connection with the natural world may find particular resonance in the book’s exploration of kayaking as a meditative practice. What distinguishes Kayaking Moments of Zen from typical photo collections is its accessible, low-tech philosophy that proves profound visual storytelling requires only curiosity, open water, and the device already in your pocket.
Kayaking Moments of Zen invites readers to consider how shifting your focus from outcomes to immediate presence can transform everyday outdoor recreation into a restorative respite from modern life. It’s not about technical perfection or having the best equipment; it’s about slowing down enough to notice the light on the water and the stillness between paddle strokes.
Advance Praise
“For the past several years, I've had the pleasure of staring at Jon's photography almost every day. His calendars have graced my office wall and provided me countless moments of daydreamy inspiration. Jon's photos are vivid and approachable, and encapsulate what makes northern Michigan such a remarkable place to live: the land, the water, and inhabitants. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that.”
—Dan Wanschura, host and executive producer of Points North podcast from Interlochen Public Radio
The Author
Jon is a retired teacher, having taught social studies at Traverse City Central High School for 38 years. Jon was the offensive coordinator for the Trojans’ first state championship football team in 1978 and later was named the boys’ varsity head coach, a position he held for 22 years. His teams had a 341–161 record and won 12 district and 2 regional titles.
Jon grew up in Grand Haven, Michigan. There he had a small boat and motor that he kept on the Grand River and would use to explore the river and its many bayous. He graduated from Hope College and played quarterback for the Flying Dutchmen for four years and played basketball for two years. Jon enjoys the variety of all four seasons at Cedar Lake. When he isn’t kayaking, he enjoys “working” at the scoring table for Trojans basketball games and in the press box at Thirlby Field for Trojans or Traverse City West Titan football games, reading, feeding and watching birds, and following the activities of his three active grandchildren.
Among his proudest accomplishments is that he was able to write two books about kayaking. He is sure that this is also surprising to anyone who knew Jon in Grand Haven or at Hope College!
The Book
Kayaking Moments of Zen: The Serenity of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula
Jon R. Constant
60 pages, 8.5" × 8.5", Full color
SPORTS & RECREATION / Water Sports / Kayaking
PHOTOGRAPHY / Subjects & Themes / Landscapes
MIND, BODY, SPIRIT / Nature Therapy
Hardcover: ISBN: 979-8-950817-11-3, $29.95
Softcover: ISBN: 979-8-950817-12-0, $22.95
Publication Date: October 15, 2026
Mission Point Press
Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon.com, and other online retailers. On its publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold.