Photo Book Publishing

Discussions
1

Morning fellow Photographers
I thought I’d reach out to everyone with a question.

I finally have enough images and the text to support the thematic’s on several different ideas for a photo book.

Since I have the collaterals (images and text) I’d like to shorten the learning curve of photo book publishing either self-publishing or through a book publishing entity.

I’m interested in everything from trials and tribulations if one has done this, what would you do different, who did you use, who would you use if you did a new book, and anything else I may need to consider.

Any help appreciated. Starting on this from scratch. Thanks-Dennis

2

Hey Dennis, are you looking to make a large hard-cover coffee table book, or a soft cover zine style? Also, are you looking to sell this? How many copies? Or is it just for yourself and maybe a few extras for your family?

3

Hi David

I like stats and analysis so I haven’t factored all of that into play yet. If cost effective, the end goal would be to publish a limited run of a coffee table book style. I don’t know if it has to be large as I have seen many coffee table style books in various sizes.

At that junction, I would see how the marketing and sales would go before delving into anything further.

As stated, I am starting from scratch so I don’t know what a zine style of book is.

From what I have read self-publishing seems to be the way to go but I would like to lessen the learning curve by obtaining 2 to 4 really good companies to do that and then research each one as to whether or not they fit the bill for me.

Hope that helps.

Thanks

Dennis

4

Follow-Up to my response to David. Yes, this book will be for sale.

5

Hi Dennis,
I am in the same quandry as I have also looking to create my first book. I have looked at a lot of the self-publishing websites like lulu, blurb and similar other places. I have narrow it down for me, The one I think would be user friendly to self-publishing and selling, My choice is Amazon Direct Publishing, I have not started on my book yet with the website yet but plan to work on that project this summer. I do believe as well that you as a seller can have your storefront on Amazon’s website. Here is the link: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/. Hope this is useful information for you. Good luck with publishing your book.

6

Thanks Lori

7

The main challenge you’ll face is the need to purchase a large print run to achieve a profitable price per book. While 250 copies are the absolute minimum, aiming for at least 500 is preferable. This represents a significant investment, requiring a thorough assessment of your marketing channels (mailing list, social media, etc.) to determine if you have sufficient reach to sell that many books.

You have the option of self-publishing through companies like Print Ninja or partnering with someone like Jerry Greer of Mountain Trail Press, who acts as a liaison between you and the printer. Most coffee table books are manufactured in China, but from what I understand, tariffs don’t typically apply to books, so this shouldn’t drastically impact pricing.

Please consider this advice with caution, as I haven’t personally produced a coffee table book yet, but I’ve conducted extensive research and learned from colleagues who have.

8

Thanks David. Lots to consider and the project for me now is only in the research phase of things. All info taken under advisement.

Best

Dennis

9

You are welcome!

10

Not sure if making your own prints and assembling them in a beautiful cloth screw post portfolio cover is your cup of tea, but check out my post on this process in a recent NPN post at https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/how-to-create-a-beautiful-book-of-self-printed-photos-or-what-i-did-with-104-000-photos-in-lr/45815