Everton midfielder Merlin Rohl has released a photography book.
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It's not too often you see a football player doubling up as a photographer, but Merlin Rohl and Leighton Baines can often be seen with a camera strapped around their neck heading into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The two have seemingly developed a bound based around their love of photography, something Rohl is publicly passionate about.
Rohl's Instagram is filled with behind-the-scenes images related to Everton, whether that be in the changing room, at Finch Farm, or even sitting at a train station.
The Everton midfielder has decided to release a photography book, which is released on October 15, labelled 'Life with Everton'.
It will hopefully be a fascinating snapshot into the behind-the-scenes of what happens at Finch Farm, in the dressing room, and the team travelling to and from games.
With the release of his book fast approaching, Rohl spoke to Everton's media team about the book, his relationship with Baines, Seamus Coleman, and much more.
Rohl on Coleman and Baines
You can catch the full interview over on Everton's YouTube channel, but we've taken some snippets that might be of interest to supporters.
Firstly, Rohl touches on the build-up to getting his camera out in front of his Everton team-mates. The German midfielder says he was nervous, at first, coming to a new club and all of a sudden putting a camera in everyone's face.
“At first, I was a little bit feared of getting the camera out here. It's a new club, and you have new players, so you don't want to press the camera in their faces in the first weeks. I was very aware of not doing it too much," said Rohl.
Rohl adds that after being a little nervous to make the jump and start photographing his team-mates, it was both Coleman and Baines who convinced him to pull the trigger.
“Seamus and Bainesy both pushed me into doing it. It was quite interesting that Seamus, in the beginning, really said to me, because I think he experienced it from Bainesy, maybe it will help me get myself going a little bit," added Rohl.
Sticking with Baines, Rohl discusses his relationship with the former Everton left-back. The 24-year-old mentions the bond they have over photography and how the have the same cameras and outlook on the hobby.
“I don't know the exact time, but I just noticed how much of a coincidence it is that we have the same cameras and the same approach to certain photography-related things, including the analogue part. It's also a coincidence that you have someone in football. We can talk about the things I'm sometimes thinking about. Sometimes I'm still coming to training, thinking, that's just crazy that you find somebody that's so close in your thoughts, it’s kind of nice.”
It's not just photography that Rohl discusses with Baines. The two have been working together as Rohl gets used to playing in a full-back role for Everton, something he's had to get used to in the games he featured in before his injury earlier in the season.
“As a football player, I'm now going to the full-back position. I'm watching his [Baines] old highlights on YouTube and working with him in the video room. He's just a big inspiration for me as a person and, of course, also for the photos.”
Rohl on the dressing room
As mentioned, Rohl was nervous to get the camera out when he first made the move to Everton a few years ago now.
Despite that, he's taken the plunge, and he feels grateful that the players are happy for him to be taking pictures in the dressing room, which can often feel like a private place for footballers.
“I feel very lucky that all the players in our dressing room are okay with my camera. It's not that they don't care about my camera, but they just accept it. Sometimes they're posing, and I like it when they're not posing and are just doing some stuff, forgetting about my camera. That's really a nice thing.
“I think every photographer would love the feeling of being around some people who don't look for your camera and then some nice images come out.”
These quotes are just a snippet of what Rohl discusses when it comes his upcoming book, the Everton dressing room, and his relationship with Baines, so be sure to check out the full interview.