"Size Matters" and 10 Other Tips for Self-Publishing a Photobook
When I started research for our self-publishing how-to guide, I reached out to a handful of photographers who’d been through the process. Then those photographers recommended more photographers; some shared people who’d mentored them, while others simply told me about artists who inspired them to create a book in the first place. Before I knew it, I had fifteen single-spaced pages of tips, anecdotes, and wisdom about what it takes to make a photobook.
When I mentioned the outpouring of insight to the photographer John MacLean, who has traveled the world as part of book awards, fairs, and exhibitions, he wasn’t surprised. “There is much camaraderie within the photobook-making community,” he told me. “That may explain the generosity of the responses.” Self-publishing might be daunting, but those who’ve done it before are usually keen to help those just getting started.
In the end, we assembled this guide to self-publishing photobooks with help from almost two dozen artists. In Part 1, we covered the steps you should take before you self-publish, from studying the market to assembling a team. For Part 2, we’ll get into the creative process itself, addressing the ins and outs of editing and sequencing, working with printers, and staying inspired. Join us.