Watchung Teen's Book Captures Sandy's Damage on the Jersey Shore

After Hurricane Sandy destroyed thousands of properties on the New Jersey shore, the Watchung teen worried about his own family's house in Mantoloking.

His fears turned to relief, since the property was not damaged in the storm, but he then found himself fighting another emotion.

"My house was spared by the storm and I felt I needed to do something for others," he said.

The Watchung Hills Regional junior turned to his enjoyment of photography to begin compiling a photographic record of the damage caused by the historic storm, which resulted in the 100+ page book "The Perfect Storm: A Visual Representation of the Jersey Shore in the Shadow of Hurricane Sandy."

Justin's book is the result of his photography of the storm's damage from Point Pleasant to Seaside, compiled of the course of weekly visits he began a few weeks after the storm.

Working with printer Diversified Impressions, of Irvington, he printed the book and began marketing it, selling copies in a few stores at the Shore and in fundraisers.

Each copy sold for a $25 donation has added to the funds Justin donates to various non-profit and relief groups. So far, he has donated more than $2,500 to groups such as the Lavallette Elementary School and Lavallette Little League,  the Ocean Beach Fire Company, Visitation Church Relief Center in Brick, and the  Tri-Boro Little League.

As the summer season kicks off, Justin's book offers a tour guide to the storm's damage and the shore's rebuilding. Copies of the book are available for purchase directly from Justin by emailing him at justinscaleraphoto@gmail.com.