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35 Best Photography Books in 2024 (Updated)

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Can’t find reliable content on the internet? Then you should try reading photography books by famous professionals! The best photography books are still relevant for improving your photo skills and inspiring you.

Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is our favorite photography book. It’s the ultimate how-to guide that explores techniques, styles, and practical tips. Buying this book is the first step to becoming a better photographer.

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Finding the Best Photography Books

There are so many amazing photography books out there it can be hard to find what you’re looking for.

There are photography books to learn about the art form’s history. There are photo books to help you with your composition. And there are also ones to inspire you from some of the photography greats!

We have every type of photography book, so the list is fairly extensive. But we’ve broken it down so you can find the book you need. Click on one of the links below to skip to your desired section.

• Photography basics
• Composition and technique
• Photography lighting
• Niche photography books
• Collections and compilations
• Editing photography books

Best Books on Photography Basics

Learning how to take amazing pictures requires a strong foundation of the basics. If you struggle with these areas, read publications on the basics of photography . I assure you that you’ll learn much faster.

Here’s a quick look at the best books on photography basics. We’ll take a more detailed look at each book in the section after.

• Great entry-point for new photographers
• Full of practical guides for easy learning
• Playful language anyone can understand
• One of the most popular photography guide books
• Specific chapters on portrait, sports, and wedding photography
• A helpful book if you're looking to make money in photography
• Takes a deep dive into all aspects of digital photography
• Everything is covered, from camera basics to photo editing
• A rich recourse even experienced photographers can use

• Career-focused objective from the outset
• Well-explained, practical guidance to help you master your camera
• The author's wealth of experience give the words heft

• A complete and comprehensive study of photography
• Teaches techniques and skills with suggestions for equipment
• Chapters on editing and organizing your photos

• Awe-inspiring illustrations throughout the book
• Well-explained tutorials for absolute beginners
• A perfect choice for younger photographers

• Great explanations on different cameras and how to get the most out of them
• Fantastic illustrations with the settings used to capture them
• Written by one of LIFE's most prominent photographers

• One of the most popular photography books for beginners
• Gives you a technical foundation from which you can flourish
• Author has a personal and easy-to-follow style of writing

• Teaches you how to express yourself through photography
• New dedicated chapters on digital photography
• A beneficial read for anyone interested in the visual arts

• Helps you see history through the lens of a camera
• Explores the cultural impact of the camera
• An interesting read for any history buff

• A timeless classic that still holds up
• Helps you understand how context can change a photo's meaning
• It'll take your image-making in a new direction

1. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs

Are you looking for the best photography how-to books for beginners? Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is worth checking out. It has practical guides, easy-to-read text, and simple, playful language. It’s easy for a beginner to follow!

This book offers an excellent foundation for improving as a photographer. It puts beginners on the fast track to better photography results. And even experienced photographers will find useful information.

The book’s title might be in-your-face, but it’s not wrong. It also includes tips from 50 famous photographers !

2. The Digital Photography Book

The Digital Photography Book is the number-one, best-selling digital photography book. It has been translated into dozens of languages. And it remains one of the most comprehensive photography books available.

This book contains everything you need to get into photography. There are chapters on portrait photography . You can learn how to use a flash for pro results. It even gives you a head start on wedding and sports photography .

Scott Kelby’s award-winning book is a great companion. You will take it from your shelf again and again to reread it. It’s essential reading for anyone serious about picking up a digital camera.

3. Complete Digital Photography

If you like to explore the fine details of the craft, then Complete Digital Photography is for you. Written by photographer Ben Long, it teaches you all the basics of photography. It has everything from the mechanics of a camera to post-processing.

It covers both the technical aspects and the art of taking photos. With the level of detail and the number of topics this book covers, you won’t even need Google!

Ben Long’s book gives beginners a thorough introduction to digital photography. But it’s such a rich resource, so all digital photographers should take a look. There’s so much to learn in these pages.

4. Learning to See

Learning to See is for you if you want insider information from a seasoned professional. David Molnar is a professional at the top of the photography industry. His client list includes Pepsi, Sony, and Google. His photos have appeared in People Magazine and the New York Times .

Molnar takes you through the basics of photography. You learn how to use your camera and a range of photography techniques. But it’s all geared around making photography a career . It’s serious stuff. But it’s easy to follow and understandable for photographers at any level.

Buying this book is an investment in your photography career, and you will see a positive return. Expert advice doesn’t get much more expert than this.

5. Langford’s Basic Photography

Langford’s Basic Photography is for people who want to pursue photography as a career. Some might find it academic. But it’s one of the most comprehensive photography books for beginners.

This publication is valuable because it helps you choose the best camera and lens for your work. It even offers useful suggestions about the equipment you need for great lighting . Of course, it teaches you skills such as framing and measuring exposure.

Apart from the technical aspects, it also teaches you how to edit and organize your images, print, finish, and present them. This is one of the best books on photography to help you jump-start your professional work.

6. National Geographic Photo Basics

National Geographic magazine has been a source of inspiration for photographers for decades. Flip through the pages of any edition, and you’ll be itching to pick up your camera. But if you’re a beginner, you might not know how to achieve the best results.

National Geographic Photo Basics inspires with its stunning photographs. It teaches you photography basics so you can create images that are just as breathtaking. You don’t even need a camera to read this book. The early chapters help you choose a camera that’s right for you.

They then take you through the early stages of photography. It’s a fast track to competency with your camera. And it puts you on a path to creating glorious images like those in the book.

7. LIFE Guide to Digital Photography

Learn from one of the best photo books about photography on the market. The subtitle of the LIFE Guide to Digital Photography — Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros— pretty much sums it up.

Joe explains how to take advantage of your camera’s strengths. He also helps you understand when it is wise to outthink your camera and push it to its limits.

What I found useful was the short caption under each photo . It shows you the camera settings it took to create each image. Knowing which settings he uses to recreate breathtaking photos is always beneficial.

8. Understanding Exposure 4th Edition

With more than 350,000 copies sold, Understanding Exposure 4th Edition is one of the most popular books in photography. It demystifies the complex concepts of exposure for countless photographers.

This photography book maintains Bryan Peterson’s trademark easy-to-understand style. Its best section includes how to achieve successful exposures in challenging situations. This photography book also provides information about white balance , flash , and HDR photography .

Sure, these topics may seem a bit advanced. But Peterson makes it all easy to understand. You can always take this with you for better photos anytime, anywhere, and with any camera.

9. The Art of Photography

Bruce Barnbaum’s The Art of Photography was originally published in 1994 and was first revised in 2010. The 2017 edition has dedicated chapters on digital photography.

It represents and explores the more artistic and conceptual sides of photography . And it helps you develop your artistic voice as a photographer. It features 200 color and black-and-white photos accompanied by easily readable text.

Anyone interested in the visual arts should read this book. It is beneficial to graphic designers, cinematographers, and even painters.

10. Photography

Marien’s Photography is a fascinating account of how photography has altered our perception of the world. She shows us history through the lens of a camera. It’s a gripping account. And the illustrations are spectacular!

This book is easy to understand as you don’t need any technical knowledge. And it’s not just for photographers. Any history buff will be gripped and excited by this photography book.

It aims to educate and inform us about photography. It gives information about photography and photographers within their historical and cultural contexts.

11. On Photography

Susan Sontag’s On Photography was first published in 1977. It is one of the most-read books about photography. And it remains an evergreen book for photographers. On Photography contains essays about the changing meaning of photography and photographs.

She examines the role photography plays in different circumstances. Most importantly, she looks at photography’s impact on us and the world. This book is for anyone interested in image-making.

It’s a seminal piece of work everyone should read. It’s eye-opening, educational, and inspiring.

Best Books on Composition and Technique

Once you know what you’re doing, the next step is to hone those skills. The secret is to learn what makes photos great. You then make a goal to replicate that in your photos.

I’ve learned a lot from the books on this list. What these publications teach can be a lot of information to take in at once. But when you master the techniques, your photos will improve dramatically!

• A great book for photographers of all levels
• Teaches you how to create dynamic pictures everywhere
• The techniques can be used with any camera including smartphones

• Expert advice from a master of landscape photography
• Useful for landscape photographers at all skill levels
• A blend of technical and conceptual advice for better landscapes

• Helps you achieve the best results in any location
• Tells you how to achieve studio results when working on location
• A great book for portrait, fashion, and product photographers

• Chock full of portrait inspiration
• Broadens your mind for more creative portraiture
• Portrait, fashion, and even boudoir photographers will learn a lot

• Packed with practical and conceptual advice
• Helps sharpen your vision as a photographer
• Easy-to-follow writing style

• Improves your composition with eye-opening ideas
• Helps you find your visual voice
• Gives tips on avoiding photography clichés

• Full of McNally's iconic photography work
• True expert advice from an industry insider
• Practical advice that's explained well and easy to read

• Ideal for black and white photo enthusiasts
• Breaks down the key elements of B&W photography
• Excellent bold and dynamic photography examples

1. Extraordinary Everyday Photography

Photography is not just taking pictures of staged portraits and exotic travel destinations . Photography is looking at simple things with a new perspective.

Extraordinary Everyday Photography teaches you to capture the unexpected in the mundane. It can be your local park or the street where you live.

Rather than teach photography techniques, the photo book inspires photographers. It includes examples from DSLRs and smartphone cameras . It shows that good photography doesn’t depend on gear or location. Instead, it depends on the photographer’s eye.

2. The Landscape Photography Book

Here’s another book by award-winning photographer and author Scott Kelby. It’s a must-read if you’re interested in landscape photography or plan to start shooting landscapes.

But you don’t have to be a beginner to find new ideas and tips in The Landscape Photography Book . You’ll learn new skills, improve your composition , and sharpen your vision.

3. Studio Anywhere

Finding an excellent spot to shoot can often be overwhelming. Studio Anywhere is a must-read for photographers who are unlucky in picking the perfect location. Nick shows us how to use any less-than-ideal location and still get amazing portraits.

He offers practical tips for creating a portfolio without a dedicated studio space. This book is perfect for anyone who needs help conceptualizing shoots with minimal equipment .

4. One Face Fifty Ways

This fabulous photography book explores the art of portraiture. It shows how to take 50 different types of shots of the same model, and it’s a practical guide that uses simple camera techniques.

But do you know what makes One Face Fifty Ways even more valuable? It uses budget-friendly items from your wardrobe to create a wide variety of shots.

5. The Photographer’s Eye Remastered

Michael Freeman is on this list twice—and for good reason. I love the way he writes.

Design is the most critical factor in creating a successful photograph. It helps your ability to see the potential for a strong picture. You then organize the graphic elements into a productive and compelling composition.

The Photographer’s Eye Remastered is a must-read photography book for beginners. It trains you to develop your visual style early on, and it’s unique compared to the other publications on this list.

6. The Photographer’s Mind

The nature of photography includes the demand to intrigue the viewer continually. So this book aims to answer the question, “What makes a photograph great?” It explores how top photographers achieve this goal time and time again.

The Photographer’s Mind provides invaluable knowledge you can’t learn from practical guides. For instance, it helps you avoid clichés on the cyclical nature of fashion , style, mannerisms, and light. It even shows you how to handle the unexpected.

7. The Moment it Clicks

The Moment it Clicks illustrates Joe McNally’s different techniques throughout his career. I’m sure you’ll recognize many of his photos from magazine covers. You gain insight into how each shot was taken, including his equipment.

You also gain useful knowledge about the challenges of each type of project. This photography book is excellent for setting up a similar shot.

8. Creative Black and White

Creative Black and White is one of the best black-and-white photography books ever published. Black-and-white photography poses unique challenges. It makes the point that contrast , lighting, and composition are crucial without color.

Renowned photographer Harold Davis explains these elements in this book. He demonstrates the basic rules of black-and-white photography and shows you when and how to break them.

Best Books on Photography Lighting

Lighting is an intrinsic component of photography. Mastering it can take years, and it’s more complex than understanding other aspects, like exposure settings . But you can always speed up this process by learning from the pros.

Amateurs rarely achieve great lighting. But learning techniques from these great photography books is the best way to improve. You’ll have professional illumination in no time!

• Best book on working with flashes for Canon users
• Fantastic tips and techniques for using flash lights for different effects
• Useful for any photographer, not just Canon users

• Joe's experience inspires and educates
• Tells you how to use flashes for maximum effect
• Great tips for different low-light conditions

• Techniques for maximizing natural light
• DIY tips for getting the most out of your gear
• Helps you master a variety of lighting techniques for dramatic photos

1. Speedliter’s Handbook

Speedliter’s Handbook is mainly for Canon camera users, but it is still useful for people who use other cameras. Most of the information can be used with other camera brands .

This is an excellent book for those new to flash photography . Using clear language, this book is also ideal for anyone who has given up learning out of frustration.

Arena teaches you everything from creating a classical portrait to shooting an event . Whatever it is, this photography book will show you how.

2. Hot Shoe Diaries

Joe shares his lighting solutions for many beautiful images in Hot Shoe Diaries . Joe’s photographs are quite inspirational. He uses a flash every time he shoots his subjects.

Using Nikon speedlights , Joe lets you in on his uncensored thought process. He demonstrates how he makes his pictures with these small flashes.

3. Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light

Nick Fancher’s second entry on our list— Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light —teaches you how to master light. He gives tips and techniques on maximizing and controlling natural light . And he goes deep into using artificial light , like flashes.

He provides experienced information about lighting equipment and some handy DIY tips for getting the most out of what you have. He shows you how to shape, bounce, and manipulate light in any location. You’ll be a light master before you get to the final page!

Best Niche Photography Books

Lots of publications focus too much on the most popular genres in photography. But what if you’re into a specific style, such as food or still-life photography ? Are there any options for you out there? The answer is yes, and there are a lot of them!

For this section, we are only covering five. But even if you don’t practice the niche topics on this list, you should still consider reading them. Who knows? You might end up liking them! Or, if anything, you might learn a thing or two that you can apply to your work.

• Well-structured and highly consumable information
• Each principle is explained and illustrated well
• Opens your eyes to new aspects in travel photography

• Helps you construct stronger and more dynamic images
• Brilliant tips for improving composition
• Illustrations include work from photography masters

• Teaches you about 35mm, medium format, and large format photography
• Explains everything you need to know from loading film to printing in a dark room
• Fantastic techniques that use digital technology to enhance your film photography

• The authority on building a social media brand
• Teaches you how to take pictures for social media formats
• Timeless advice for ever-changing tech platforms

1. The Enthusiast’s Guide to Travel Photography

The Enthusiast’s Guide to Travel Photography is the best book to pick up before your next backpacking trip. Travel photography is perhaps one of the most challenging genres in photography.

A travel photographer must know how to photograph several niches, such as food and wildlife . This book provides all the photo knowledge you need to travel the globe.

Of course, it includes the usual lessons on architecture and urban photography . But it also includes tips on taking portraits of strangers and nighttime landscapes.

2. Still Life in Photography

Still Life in Photography isn’t necessarily a collection of tutorials. Instead, it’s a compendium of the works of some of the best still-life photographers .

The photos come from the J Paul Getty Museum, so the collection feels limited. But regardless, the samples you see are enough to inspire you to create your own masterpieces.

Photographers in this book include Edward Weston, Irving Penn, and Roger Fenton. They’re big names with incredible work that will get your attention!

3. The Film Photography Handbook

Film photography is back in fashion. Whether you’re a film photography veteran or a beginner, you need The Film Photography Handbook . This is the ultimate handbook for film photography . It has all the necessary information, from loading film to printing photos.

What makes this invaluable is that it includes digital technology in the mix. Where else can you find a book that shows you how to digitize your film? It even shows you how to use your smartphone as a light meter!

4. Capture Your Style

Instagram evolves so fast that any book written about it could be useless by now. But social media star Aimee Song’s Capture Your Style is an outlier.

The book was published in 2016 to massive fanfare. Years later, it remains one of the authoritative books on Instagram and influencer photography. Song teaches you the basics of taking pictures for Instagram and shows you how to gain followers and become Instagram-famous .

Sure, there are tons of new features on Instagram that you can’t find in this older book. But the main tenets of social media photography are still there and will remain for years. Because, in the end, taking click-worthy photos will never be out of fashion.

Best Collection and Compilation Books

You can learn a lot by looking at other people’s photos. It’s what makes these books on photography as crucial as regular textbooks.

But it was hard to choose one photographer over another for this list. I felt I had to disregard 100 photographers for each one I included.

The photographers below are perhaps some of my ultimate idols in photography. But they are by no means the only ones I look up to.

• A brilliant visual history of a momentous decade
• Beautifully printed and well-written accounts
• A must-have for fans of modern history

• A fantastic collection from an icon of American photography
• Printed well with crisp and clear photographs
• A personal view into 1950s America

• Breathtaking wildlife and natural photographs
• Includes classic images from early NGO publications
• Documents the lengths the photographers took to achieve these incredible photos

• A behind-the-lens account from a pioneer of photography
• Illustrated with incredible black and white images
• A personal account that helps you improve your own photography skills

• Includes hundreds of iconic images from the pages of LIFE
• Features work from the finest photographers of the last century
• A true expression of cultural history any history buff can enjoy

• Contains some of Capa's most memorable war images
• Demonstrates Capa's versatility as a photographer
• Shows the basis for modern photojournalism

Decade was a birthday present from a past birthday, and I’ve picked it up daily since then. It’s easy to understand why this is one of the best photo books.

It’s a collection of famous photos of memorable events between 2000 and 2010. Each image has a brief description that serves as a history lesson.

It jogs your memory and reminds you what a momentous decade it was. It’s a good source of inspiration. But it’s also a great coffee table book or conversation piece.

2. Robert Frank

Robert Frank is a fantastic collection of photos from the seminal photographer. He was a central figure who documented the United States in the 1950s.

He also created some of the most iconic images from that era. Frank’s cultural documentation is invaluable for anyone interested in that period.

It is hard to believe his photos came from one photographer’s viewfinder. It covers racial tension, glamor , and Americans’ love for cars . The latter might be because Frank himself had a fondness for the road.

He shows a cultural history with a human touch. This book is a great reminder of America’s past through fantastic images. This famous photographer’s inspirational work deserves to be on your bookshelf.

3. National Geographic Image Collection

Behind this title lies one of the most compelling graphic resources on Earth. I present The National Geographic Image Collection .

It’s an archive that includes a wide range of images from the earliest photos from the late 19th century to modern ones taken today. It includes iconic and never-before-seen images from around the world.

Of course, we already know that this book represents thousands of species. But it also showcases terrific human achievements in exploration, adventure, and science. They are placed in a historical, artistic, technical, and journalistic context.

If you’re into portraits, look at National Geographic’s book of portraits .

4. Examples

Examples has some of the best black-and-white photography I’ve ever seen. Each of Adams’ 40 photographs presented here accompanies an engaging narrative . The text explores the technical and aesthetic problems of each scene he photographed.

For famous photographers, Ansel Adams is at the top of the list. So grab a copy to understand what makes this one of the best photography books.

5. LIFE 70 Years of Extraordinary Photography

LIFE 70 Years of Extraordinary Photography is one of the best photography books, with over 70 years of great images. And they all come from one of the most influential magazines of the 20th century— LIFE .

This book is like Decade and National Geographic Image Collection.   LIFE 70 Years of Extraordinary Photography presents history in photos. It highlights the most famous and beautiful pictures from the magazine’s history. It has some of the best photography you will ever see.

6. Robert Capa

Robert Capa is the father of modern photojournalism . He was fearless, brave, and had a fantastic eye for a photo. He is most well-known for his war reportage, snapping violence in the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

His shots remain some of the most famous examples of wartime. But he was more than just a war photographer. This collection shows the true breadth of his photography work.

His documentary work is powerful and poignant. You also find intimate and engaging portraits.

Capa was a true photography talent. And his photographs are still as striking as ever.

Best Post-Processing Photography Books

When you’ve been out taking photos all day, there are always going to be a few that need extra work. If you’re shooting in RAW , there will be a lot. So below are the best books on the three most popular post-processing software.

• Adobe Lightroom
• Adobe Elements
• Adobe Photoshop

• A must-have for anyone using Adobe Lightroom
• Written by one of the world's leading photographers and editors
• The plain-English style makes it accessible for all users

• The most comprehensive book on Photoshop Elements
• Handy practical tips for getting setup and organizing work
• Detailed and thorough but understandable throughout

• The official Adobe workbook
• Takes you through the basics to more advanced editing techniques
• Valuable for anyone in the creative industries
• The language is accessible for everyone from beginners to experienced editors

1. The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC Book for Digital Photographers

As mentioned, Scott Kelby is an American photographer and the author of many books. He is an avid user and educator of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

He did his biggest update with The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC Book for Digital Photographers . He shares all his latest techniques, insights, and invaluable tips for Lightroom.

His award-winning, step-by-step, plain English style makes learning Lightroom easy and fun. He shares his settings and time-tested techniques. This book consists of proven methods for learning Lightroom. You can begin using it like a pro from the start.

2. Mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022

Mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 is the book for using Adobe Photoshop Elements for photo editing. It’s thorough, detailed, and extremely well-written.

Any photographer can breeze through the pages and learn as they go. It’s a great way for beginners to get a head start on photo editing with Photoshop Elements.

Nicolas provides useful tips and techniques for managing your setup and organizing your library. But he doesn’t only focus on editing. He also helps you develop your visual style.

Adobe software can seem daunting for photographers new to photo editing. But this book is understandable and practical. It’s an investment worth making.

3. Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book

For beginners, Adobe Photoshop can be stressful and challenging to learn. Post-production software has a very steep learning curve. Thankfully, Andrew Faulkner and Conrad Chavez created Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book .

Don’t worry if the title gives you flashbacks from your school days. It’s well-written and easy to understand. It takes you through the basics. And you never feel like you’re being talked down to.

Plus, all the text is accompanied by helpful illustrations. It helps you click in all the right places!

Bonus Book: Your Camera Manual!

Your camera manual contains so much information—not just irrelevant facts specific to your camera. The day I got my first DSLR , I took out the manual and began reading. I must have read it while playing with my camera for two weeks.

It always frustrates me when friends don’t know how to do something on their cameras. That’s the one thing holding them back. They’d be much better photographers if they knew how to work their cameras. So I encourage you to read it.

Conclusion: The Best Photography Books

These days, you can find everything you need about photography online. But nothing compares to flipping the pages and viewing printed pictures. So go ahead and pick up a book. You’ll learn, develop, and find inspiration.

Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is our favorite photography book. Any photographer can pick it up and learn something new, and that’s true of all the photography books on our list.

There are hundreds of amazing photography books. But these 35 are the best photography books right now!

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WIRED Photo Department

Our 12 Favorite Photography Books of 2021

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Push: J. Grant Brittain '80s Skateboarding Photography by J. Grant Brittain (Gingko Press) Read more

I Am Warning You by Rafal Milach (Gost Books) Read more

Tengo un Dragón Dentro del Corazón by Carlota Guerrero (Prestel) Read more

Encampment, Wyoming: Selections from the Lora Webb Nichols Archive 1899-1948 Edited by Nicole Jean Hill (FW Books) Read more

If you’ve ever wondered which artists inspire our WIRED photo department, wait no longer. We’ve asked our award-winning team of photo editors to compile a list of their favorite photography books from 2021. (Most were released in 2021; a few you can preorder for delivery in early 2022.)

The list covers everything from skateboard culture and horror-film inspired food to NASA’s awe-inspiring objects used for space exploration. We know photography books can be pricey, but they’re worth the investment. If you’re someone who can’t find the time to commit to a novel but still craves that sublime experience of being transported to Wyoming as a woman in the early 1900s or to a Black rodeo in modern-day California, then a book of gorgeous photos might be the perfect way to treat yourself.

Be sure to see our other buying guides for books, like our winter reading list , our gift guide for technology books , and our list of the best cookbooks of 2021 .

Push: J. Grant Brittain '80s Skateboarding Photography

I am a child of the 1980s. I was old enough to skate, and although I didn’t, I certainly hung out at all the skate parks in Phoenix, Arizona. Probably once every other month, I drove to LA to be one with all the grommets and established skaters and watch them fly and fall and bleed and laugh. 

The book of vintage shots by photographer and TransWorld Skateboarding magazine photo editor J. Grant Brittain is filled with every boardslide and ollie moment you could ever dream of. He’s right in there, like laying down in an empty swimming pool with his 35-mm film camera and fish-eye lens alongside skating legends like Kevin Staab, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, and Tony Hawk. It doesn’t even look like they know they’re being photographed. They’re just doing their thing, all the while giving Brittain golden moments to capture. Thank you, Grant, for archiving and gathering and sharing all of these moments for us ’80s relics. —Anna Goldwater Alexander

I Am Warning You

Rafal Milach takes viewers through three regions of the world in his photographic series documenting the walls that separate politically divided territories: The American-Mexican border ( #13767 ), the Hungarian-Serbian-Croatian border ( I Am Warning You ), and the Berlin Wall ( Death Strip ). This book collects those photo series, along with a selection of essays that touch on the structural obstacles these walls cause and the detrimental impact they have on neighboring communities. Out-of-place structures take up space in mall parking lots in Tijuana, Mexico; man-made electrical barbed wire fences sit juxtaposed against nature reserves in Croatia; and bits of stone from the Berlin Wall continue to evoke memories of the “death strip,” a heavily surveilled area with excessive defense tactics. —Lauryn Hill

Tengo un Dragón Dentro del Corazón

Photographer Carlota Guerrero’s debut book is filled with art that is so powerful, I sometimes feel like I need to take a few steps back. Human connection is a recurring theme, and there is a lovely sculptural quality to her images, with groups of women connected by their braided hair, their hands and bodies, or their clothing. (You’ve certainly seen her instantly recognizable portrait of Solange Knowles from the cover of the album, A Seat at the Table .) Guerrero also honors an array of bodies in a way that is intentional and natural. Her book greets us with an impressive roster of women, including poet Rupi Kaur and writer Leticia Sala, who attest to her dynamic spirit and imagination. Guerrero’s body of work feels particularly relevant now, with art that celebrates women but also confronts and explores representations of the feminine. —Samantha Cooper

Encampment, Wyoming: Selections from the Lora Webb Nichols Archive 1899-1948

This is a small but meticulously crafted glimpse into the archive of 24,000 or so photographs that photographer Lora Webb Nichols produced and collected over the course of her lifetime, only seen by a handful of people before the publishing of this volume. The book's editor, Nicole Jean Hill, who first discovered the archive while participating as an artist-in-residence in Wyoming in 2012, writes of Nichols, “Lora does not fit the usual narrative of female photographers from this era, which commonly places cameras in the hands of wealthy women who pursued the medium as a pastime. Lora was an entrepreneur who used photography to provide a level of financial stability for herself and her family.” 

Photographs of hardened copper miners and loggers are contrasted with everyday familial routines—a woman brushing her hair, a sick husband resting in bed, a little girl and her pooch—each as tenderly photographed as the last. It’s a shame that Lora Webb Nichols’ work went unseen for so long, but the world of photography, and American history, is richer because of her eye. —Cameron Getty

Julian Chokkattu

David Nield

Adrienne So

Jeremy White

I first encountered Donavon Smallwood’s recent body of work, Languor , this past summer during an impromptu visit to Baxter St , the gallery and project space at the Camera Club of New York. Nestled inside of one of the city’s most bustling neighborhoods, I found a 400-square-foot cocoon of quietude, tranquillity, and most of all, recognition. Smallwood’s black-and-white photographs put forth a simple assertion: Here are Black individuals experiencing peace in nature. I look forward to meeting this work again in its next iteration as Smallwood’s first monograph. — Charis Morgan

Looking Out From Within

There is no doubt that we are all Covided out by now, and that we've seen and heard too much about isolation and loneliness. Now is a time when our fatigued spirits are looking to be uplifted. Having said that, there is a mesmerizing beauty and meaningful quality to Julia Fullerton-Batten’s latest project, Looking Out From Within , that has struck me and stayed with me. We have lived through historical times, and Julia has captured the emotion and the essence of the pandemic lockdown in beautiful fine-art photography, with emotive, intimate portraits of people isolated in their homes—all shot at twilight to enhance the poignancy of their situation—coupled with equally intimate stories from the portraits’ subjects. She now brings the project together in a beautifully designed limited-edition artist book. This one ships in January 2022, but you can preorder it. —Dalia Nassimi

I Can’t Stand to See You Cry

Rahim Fortune’s I Can’t Stand to See You Cry shows there is strength in vulnerability. In his second photo book, Fortune moves us visually through an embrace of his home life in Texas. The book is filled with black-and-white imagery of friends, family, and community members whose subtle gestures are felt through nearly all of the 112 pages. Toward the end, the viewer finally sees the photographer's most vulnerable image: his father laying in bed while connected to breathing tubes and the delicate placement of his hand holding Fortune’s.

His documentation of environmental disparities and its intersection with health is also stark. Fortune shows the prevalence of industrialism in Texas and, even more intensely, its proximity to human life. Images of protests are also prevalent, along with images showing lonesome buildings surrounded by grass and air. Even while touching on these broad themes, intimacy remains the common thread that makes each image feel tangible. —Lauryn Hill I can’t stand to see you cry by Rahim Fortune is published by Loose Joints.

Horror Caviar

HORROR and FOOD in one book! One OMG-this-really-exists-and-it’s-in-my-hands book filled with gooey, dreadful, and delightfully gigantic photographs of recipes inspired by horror flicks. And as much as I wanted this to be just a photo book, it is actually a cookbook with the most splendidly gruesome and grotesquely alluring photographs I’ve ever seen. I really can’t get enough of them.

For example, “Snap Pea Gelatine Labyrinth” is an ode to The Shining . It's a Jell-O mold with snap peas in it, but unlike your Aunt Peggy’s Christmas delicacy, this dish is molded in the shape of a maze that’s a replica of the one where Jack Torrance met his demise in the 1980 thriller. It works. It all works so well. Honestly, my two favorite topics in this world, I kid you not, are horror and food. Third is cats, but cats weren’t invited to this party of goo. Or were they? There is actually a recipe called “Cat Chow,” which is a whole (headless) rabbit baked inside a clay cat figure that you sculpt yourself. An ode to Pet Sematary , naturally. —Anna Goldwater Alexander

The New Black West

The beautiful photographs in this book showcase the deep history of the Western Black Cowboys. Photographer Gabriela Hasbun captures the joy, wonder, and beauty of Black cowboy and cowgirl culture at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo . It’s Black Cowboy Shit! Get on it! —Karen Williams

When flipping through the pages of Raymond Meeks’ new book, you can almost hear the faint snapping of twigs being stepped on, or the distant whispers and laughter of teenagers. You can smell the rotting fruit as the scent flows atop the river’s current. In Somersault , a project motivated by his daughter’s departure from home for university and foray into adulthood, Raymond Meeks explores the frightening unknown from the comfort of his own backyard. Through lyrical sequences of rich color photographs of dense thicket and fruit trees intertwined with black-and-white shots of withering building exteriors and portraits of his daughter, Meeks constructs a poetic love letter on what it means to live in a home, and what it means to leave it. —Cameron Getty

NASA: Past and Present Dreams of the Future

Benedict Redgrove's monumental volume is like no other book you’ve opened. You are suddenly catapulted into a world that you are normally never allowed to see. The photographer was granted special access to NASA’s spacecraft, labs, and facilities, and the detail he captured is extraordinary. He documents the enormous treasure trove of NASA’s history and presents it in the most beautiful form.

If the £150 (roughly $200) standard edition isn’t enough for you, Redgrove has now released the special £3,500 (roughly $4,630) “Apollo” edition. Each book is wrapped in the Apollo space suit material and secured inside a bag modeled on the original Apollo mission's tool bag. On top of that, each tool bag is hand-sewn by the same woman who made the original bags for the Apollo crews of the 1960s and ’70s. Throw in a personalized rubber name stamp—the same kind used by NASA to personalize the space suits for each astronaut—and you can feel a bit better about the price tag. There will only be 50 Apollo editions sold, each made to order and assembled by hand. —Dalia Nassimi

Gentlemen’s Club: Partners of Exotic Dancers

The fact that you have to click on a button reading “I am 18+ years old” to purchase or even look at this book makes me, naturally, want to devour all the pages immediately. It’s so worth the click.

Whenever I think of Chris Buck, I think funny. Humor. Hilarious. Witty. However, his latest book, Gentlemen’s Club: Partners of Exotic Dancers, does have some humor, but it’s actually mostly serious. Buck went around the US interviewing the partners of exotic dancers. I know I have definitely wondered about these empathetic, tuck-that-jealousy-deep-down, patient humans. Who are they? Do they feel rage or pride? To be included in Buck’s photo series, one of the partners has to be currently active as a dancer, and they have to be in a coupled relationship. We get a glimpse into the private lives of exotic dancers through a portrait of their romantic partners. Buck sits down with each couple—or sometimes just the non-dancer—and asks them a series of questions about their relationship. The portraits are spectacular, of course, and range from solo sittings with the partners to intimate portraits of the couples together. —Anna Goldwater Alexander

Brenda Stolyar

Medea Giordano

Boone Ashworth

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The best photography books in 2023

These photography books cover everything from portraiture to photography history, so you can find something you love no matter what your interests.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Photography books can be powerful tools. They can teach you to capture your favorite moments, provide tips on sparking creativity, or show you some of the most memorable moments in history. And they can make great gifts if you’re looking to encourage someone’s interest or spark a new one. Of course, photography books span many categories. You’ll need a different book if you’re growing your photography skills rather than simply enjoying beautiful photographs. As a result, we’ve selected a range of instructional books and those that act as conversation starters and let you appreciate the beauty of photography. No matter what kind of book you’re looking for, the best photography books should inspire and educate.

• Best overall: The Essence of Photography, 2nd Edition: Seeing and Creativity
• Best for inspiration: Behind the Camera: Creative Techniques of 100 Great Photographers
• Best for beginners: Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs of People
• Best for food photographers: The Food Stylist’s Handbook
• Best historical photos: Popular Photography: The World’s Most Iconic Photographs
• Best photo history: A World History of Photography
• Best for composition: The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos
• Best for posing: The Photographer’s Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone
• Best for lighting: Light ― Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
• Best technical book for beginners: Digital Photography Complete Course

Methodology: How we picked the best photography books

Photography is a broad book topic. To pick the best of the best, we considered the purpose of the book. You can think of photography books as coming from two distinct categories: Instructional and recreational. Instructional books teach the reader how to improve their photography skills. Recreational books let you browse beautiful photographs. Many recreational photography books also give you a history of the photographer or the photo’s subject. 

We also considered the book’s quality. We looked at the quality of the photos in the book and the instructional content. And lastly, we prioritized the source of the material. World-renowned photographers willing to share their expertise with others make great sources, as do publications and outlets specializing in photography. We made sure to select books written and compiled by credible, well-respected sources within the industry.

The best photography books: Reviews & recommendations

Whether you’re searching for a collection of famous photographs, a themed book covering the history of the medium, or even an instructional manual to inspire and educate, there is a broad range of books to choose from. Here are some of our favorites.

Bruce Barnbaum

The Essence of Photography: Seeing and Creativity straddles the line between an instructional and recreational book. It teaches photographers how to define and bring their own style to their photography. Using over 100 photographs as samples and inspiration, Bruce Barnbaum explores how and why powerful photos go beyond light, composition, and other principles of photography.

This book acts as inspiration for beginning photographers and is helpful for intermediate and experts in search of inspiration. Folks looking for a book to grace their coffee table can even enjoy it for the beautiful photographs and inspirational text. However, some readers may be disappointed if they’re looking for a strictly instructive book. There’s little technical information, with the author assuming good technique and technical know-how are already in the photographer’s skill set.

In the same vein as the above book, Behind the Camera looks at example photographs in order to offer inspiration and knowledge. Author Paul Lowe breaks the book up into different thematic sections, including “Places,” “Faces,” “Stories,” “Ideas,” and “Moments.” No matter what type of photography you enjoy, you’ll find something helpful in this book.

Lowe pulls from photographic works by famous photographers such as Julia Margaret Cameron, Joel Meyerowitz, Walker Evans, Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, Weegee, Man Ray, and Robert Capa. Through these sample photos, he considers the photographers’ technique, strategies, and vision. He not only celebrates their creative work but distills lessons from each piece that the budding photographer can work into their practice. Part coffee-table book, part textbook, it’s a great place to start or go back to for ideas. Both beginners and experts alike will appreciate this book, whether it be for the insights and inspiration it provides or simply the collection of incredible photographs held within.

Henry Carroll

The title of this book says it all. It focuses on portrait photography and draws on the works of masters like Richard Avedon, William Klein, Cindy Sherman, and others. The book speaks plainly about the art form, with an emphasis on real takeaways for those looking to learn photography. Beyond just posing tips, Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs of People touches on composition, working with color and black and white, and imbuing your portraits with meaning. It even touches on lighting to help take your portraits to another level.

This book is best for those who have a basic understanding of photographic fundamentals. But beyond that, it can serve as an inspirational tool for both novices and experienced photographers alike.

Denise Vivaldo, Cindie Flannigan

As the title implies, this is a handbook of food photography. It provides suggestions designed to give the reader practical advice on taking delicious images. Taking tips from well-known photographers from the advertising and culinary worlds, The Food Stylist’s Handbook: Hundreds of Media Styling Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Chefs, Artists, Bloggers, and Food Lovers is something that a food photographer will reach for again and again as they hone their craft.

Popular Photography

Popular Photography: The Most Iconic Photographs in History takes readers on a journey through 200 years of photographic history. From the first photo ever taken to world-changing moments captured on film, this book explores human history and how it’s been influenced by the ability to save those moments in pictures. And the informative commentary provides context as to why each photo still has an impact today. This is an excellent book for the coffee table. You can flip through it while relaxing or use it as a conversation starter when company comes.

Naomi Rosenblum and Diana Stoll

For those looking to learn more about the beginnings and progression of photography, A World History of Photography is one of the best resources available. There’s a reason it is the book of choice for many college photography history courses. 

This book goes much more in-depth than the Popular Photography book mentioned above, making it ideal for those serious about learning. It covers a wide variety of photographic genres and photographers, including portraiture, documentation, advertising, and photojournalism. And it even examines the contemporary perspective, making it well-rounded and thorough.

A World History of Photography even has a section just on the technical history of photography, so you can learn about how cameras and photographic technologies were developed over time. It does lean towards textbook style, which some may not enjoy. But there’s a massive selection of photographs included, so it is also a worthy coffee table book or one to skim through casually.

Michael Freeman

The Photographer’s Eye is a popular book written by Michael Freeman, a well-respected photographer whose work has appeared in Smithsonian magazine, Reader’s Digest, and Time-Life Books. Readers delve into the importance of exploring the location to identify angles and lighting beyond the obvious. It helps readers develop their creative eye and bring it to life, encouraging them to look and think about unusual and interesting shots.

While it does cover traditional in-camera composition, it leans toward digital photography. That may or may not be a con depending on your preferred media.

Lindsay Adler

Lindsay Adler is both a fashion photographer and photography educator, giving her unique insight into the subject matter. The book covers posing basics while also addressing the specific posing needs of different subject matter. For example, it provides tips for photographing curvy women, maternity photos, family photos, and small groups. The author also offers her own go-to poses as starting places for those key shoots. 

The book’s beginning even details how the camera sees and how that may impact portraiture. And Adler touches on specific body parts, breaking down posing into easily digestible chunks. Be aware that this book contains some artistic nudity.

Lighting is a powerful tool that can dramatically change your images. Whether working with portraiture, events, or product photography, it can significantly elevate your work. But, it can be a challenging skill to master due to how technical it is. This book provides a very detailed approach to lighting, even including a “comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light.”

Light ― Science & Magic provides lighting examples for a variety of situations and subject matter, such as metal, glass, liquids, and, of course, portraiture. It offers diagrams, example photographs, and set-by-step instructions. The authors thoroughly explain each lighting scenario so that you can put them into practice. It is a robust resource that every photographer working with lights should have on their shelf.

David Taylor

The Digital Photography Complete Course offers beginners everything they need to get started with their digital camera. It’s broken down into 20 weekly lessons, making the content highly digestible for anyone and everyone. Those lessons even include assignments and assessments to check skills development as you go.

The book covers the basics, like understanding f-stops, ISO, and exposure on the digital camera. The layout includes diagrams, text boxes, examples, and pictures to add visual interest. Keep in mind that intermediate to advanced photographers will find little to enhance their skills with this one. It’s truly an introductory book designed for beginners to go from “What’s a camera?” to taking their own manually-adjusted photos.

Things to consider when buying the best photography books

Photography books can generally be categorized into two groups — instructional and recreational. Instructional books are pretty self-explanatory. They teach you how to take photographs or improve specific skills.

Basic photography books may teach you how to use a digital camera or cover the seven principles of design — pattern, contrast, emphasis, rhythm and movement, balance, and unity. Some books briefly cover all seven, while others focus on a single principle or sub-topic within a principle, like composure or lighting.

Beginners should start with a basic book that covers the main photography topics. Then, as you become more skilled, a specialized book that focuses on a single technique or principle can help you add depth to your skills.

Recreational books include coffee table books that offer a visual feast. They’re a great way to appreciate some of the world’s best photographs or for you to enjoy your favorite topic. For example, there are photography books for landscapes, barns, pets, and people. These books aren’t instructional in nature. You can simply enjoy the beauty they provide and enjoy the text that accompanies them, which may explain the subject or the photographer.

Author’s authority

Do a little research into the book’s author or publisher. A photography book written by a chef doesn’t hold much credit unless they’re teaching you about food photography and know the photographic medium well.

Look for photographers who specialize in their topic, like a fashion photographer who publishes a book on posing or lighting. Organizations that specialize in photography in some way are also valid, credible sources.

Consider the quality of both the photos and the instruction and how well they fit your goals. If you don’t love landscapes, Ansel Adams probably isn’t for you, even if the photos are top quality. Similarly, a book about taking landscapes may not interest you if you want to take family portraits.

Q: Which type of photography is most in demand?

Portrait and family photography is probably the most common type of freelance photography. This type of photography is constantly in demand, as families grow and change over the year—think births, milestone events (graduations, etc.), and other excuses to take a formal family portrait again and again.

Q: What is the best book to learn photography? 

Digital Photography Complete Course is one of the best photography books for beginners. It explains camera settings and features through 20 weekly lessons. For more advanced photographers, either The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos and The Photographer’s Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone are excellent books for honing specific skills.  

Q: How do I start photography?

The simplest way is to get to know equipment inside and out (digital cameras vs. film cameras, for instance), watch tutorials on the subjects that interest you the most (portrait photography vs. nature photography, for example), and then get out and indulge in simple trial and error. Oh, and pick up some of the best books on photography!

Q: What makes a good photography book? 

A good photography book contains high-quality images that aren’t just beautiful to look at but are good examples of the book’s subject. For example, a book on lighting should have excellent examples of lighting techniques and how to achieve those results for yourself. A book on posing should include photos that show different posing techniques successfully put into practice. The source of the book should also be reputable and trustworthy, with lots of knowledge and experience in the field.

Related: Here’s a list of even more books that every photographer should own

Final thoughts on the best photography books

Photography is a widely appreciated art form, and thanks to digital technology it’s become more and more accessible to more people. Budding photographers have a much easier way to test the waters and find their style without the burden of expensive film development costs or equipment. There are also overwhelming resources both online and in books to help guide them as they learn photography, so grab one of the best photography books from our selection and start them on their journey.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

Abby Ferguson is the Associate Editor for Gear and Reviews at PopPhoto, joining the team in 2022. She has been involved with the photography industry in various capacities since her undergraduate training at the University of Kentucky, with work ranging from client photography to program development and management of the photo department at Evolve, a vacation rental company.

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The Best Books of 2022

This Year's Must-Reads

ARTS & CULTURE

The ten best photography books of 2022.

Our favorite titles this year invite viewers to worlds outside their own

Donny Bajohr , Jeff Campagna and Quentin Nardi

As photo editors at Smithsonian magazine, one thing we really love about photography is that through this medium, freely extended to us, is a most extraordinary invitation—a front-row seat into a world we never even knew existed, let alone a world we might be a part of. Photo books, in particular, give us this wonderful opportunity to access these faraway worlds and personal spaces on an intimate level. As we set out to select our top ten photo books of 2022, this theme of windows into other worlds came up again and again.

Take for example, Tierra del Sol , by Carlos Jaramillo, which is a vibrant look into charrería , Mexico’s national sport, or Daniel Jack Lyons’ Like a River , a work that explores transgender and queer communities in the depths of the Amazon. In As It Was Give(n) to Me , Stacy Kranitz actively breaks down the stereotypical treatment of life in Appalachia, showing there is much more to this region than we have been shown again and again.

In the end, what we see in each of this year’s selections is a glimpse into a world, a space, a place that might not be ours. And what a gift that is, because when we can truly see someone else, we can see ourselves that much better.

Like a River by Daniel Jack Lyons

What makes Daniel Jack Lyons ’ debut monograph, Like a River , so exceptional is not only that he shows us the tender “coming-of-age impulses to express and affirm one’s individuality,” as the Guardian ’s Mee-Lai Stone puts it, through his portraits and images, but that we are allowed to view the work through a prism deep into the Amazon rainforest. This is work that, as Lyons’ publisher puts it, “ empowers the trans and queer communities of the region, exploring how deep Indigenous traditions and modern identity politics meet in a celebratory, safe space, deep in the lush canopies and vegetation of the rainforest.” And while the viewer gets a special glimpse of another world, there is something so fundamentally familiar about these images at the same time: those looks of defiance, vulnerability and wisdom that youth, the world over, have as they are coming out and being true to themselves. Lyons’ work is made even more poignant as it happens against another background that his subjects have to contend with—the toxic mix of environmental degradation, violence and discrimination. — Quentin Nardi

Theatrum Equorum by Andrea Modica

At first, I couldn’t quite believe what I was looking at as I paged through Philadelphia photographer Andrea Modica ’s latest book, Theatrum Equorum . It was as if I stepped into some private world that was not meant for me. But I took in the platinum prints , and what was once otherworldly became focused and clear. I was looking at the veterinarian care of large animals, specifically horses. Eight years in the making, Theatrum Equorum is a result of Modica documenting a range of medical procedures, including fracture repairs, dental work and emergency colic intervention, conducted at a renowned horse clinic in Bologna, Italy, all with her trademark 8 x 10 large-format camera. The approach is utterly confounding given the pressure and time restraints of both subject matter and process. This dramatic work is a thrill to take in, not only because of the craftsmanship that went into making the images, but also in bearing witness to these vulnerable and magnificent animals. It is a wildly unexpected collision that comes together beautifully. — Q.N.

Bird Planet by Tim Laman

The birds are the real superstars in National Geographic photographer Tim Laman ’s new book, Bird Planet . From helmeted hornbills in Thailand to scarlet ibises in Venezuela and the Vogelkop superb birds of paradise in Indonesia, Laman’s feathered subjects span six continents and every shade of the rainbow.

Glamorous though these images may be, Laman, a field biologist as well as photographer, also provides insightful anecdotes that reflect the time, effort and research it takes to make them: like spending 14 hours straight in a photo blind to avoid disturbing a flamingo breeding colony so he could sneak out under the muddy cloak of darkness, or being dropped off by helicopter into the uninhabited Foja Mountains in New Guinea with three weeks of food and supplies, and no trails to speak of.

“I hope the book can be an inspiration for others to appreciate the wonder of birds,” says Laman, “whether in their own backyards, or to go on an adventure to see birds in remote and wild places.” — Jeff Campagna

Ice by Meghann Riepenhoff

Open Meghann Riepenhoff ’s new book, Ice , and the reader is met with a series of abstract crystalline images that rouse the imagination, calling to mind everything from aerial surveys of alien worlds to tiny fern specimens sealed between glass. The title of the book is apt, as the fine art photographer created these camera-less large-scale cyanotypes by submerging or partially burying large sheets of emulsion-coated paper into freezing landscapes and then pulling them out to dry. “I’m fascinated by how water changes states,” Riepenhoff explains, “how ice forming and melting creates very different shapes, one structured and geometric, and one messy and runny and organic.”

Specific factors like temperature, humidity and sediment directly impacted the chemistry of the resulting intricate patterns. While Riepenhoff could manage how long she exposed a print, or where she buried it, nature was the ultimate wild card. “I try to embrace the idea of collaborating with wildness,” she says. Every plate in the book is a detail of a larger physical work, and those actual physical works are only partially fixed, so they’ll continue to respond to environments over time.

Riepenhoff made cyanotypes in waters ranging from the Great Lakes to Walden Pond . But her favorite spot was the confluence of the Genesee River and Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York—waters that Kodak contaminated over decades. “I loved working in an environment that was so relevant to the medium and its incredibly rich and complicated relationship to the environment,” Riepenhoff says. — J.C.

Tierra del Sol by Carlos Jaramillo

Carlos Jaramillo ’s Tierra del Sol is a beautiful fine art documentary of El Clásico de las Américas , an annual weeklong charrería   that takes place in Southern California . Think Mexican rodeo, with finely adorned male and female riders ( charros and escaramuza charras ) competing and showing off their equestrian skills in scored competitions, in what is the national sport of Mexico.

The Los Angeles-based photographer shot the rich, vibrant project on film, capturing gorgeous details in both formal portraiture and action shots. Though Jaramillo had seen videos and pictures of charrería before, it was his first time attending one in person in 2021. What was supposed to be one shooting day turned into five as he fell in love with the culture, especially the enthusiasm and confidence of the teens and young adults in the crowd. “I assumed it was something only adults participated in,” he says, “but seeing this passing of culture to younger generations was really beautiful.”

Jaramillo watched videos and planned how to shoot certain events, or suertes , in advance. He noted how the friction created by the charros’ ropes whirring around their saddle horns during the Piales en el Lienzo event generated puffs of smoke, creating perfect conditions for dramatic, super-tight portraits.

Visually, Jaramillo, a first-generation Mexican American, wanted to put charrería on a pedestal as an integral part of Mexican and Mexican American culture. “Part of me also did it for la raza , people from Mexico and Mexican Americans who grew up in American culture, to show that there’s so much more beauty to our culture than how we’re depicted in American mainstream media,” he says. “Most of us got raised to assimilate in American culture and act white to fit in and be successful, but we’re starting to realize that that’s not the case anymore.” — J.C.

The Rooted Heart Began to Change  by Allan Salas

Allan Salas ’ new book, The Rooted Heart Began to Change , is a beautiful, meditative series of black-and-white images. Family upheaval lays at the root of these photographs by this Costa Rican photographer. Salas was spurred to move to his childhood home by the sea following back-to-back familial shocks, the December 2020 death of his paternal grandmother and his father’s survival of a heart attack. He needed time to process his feelings of grief and his thoughts on mortality, and to make sense of things. “These two painful events led me on a ten-month journey where I wandered across the country, photographing the eerie landscape I encountered as a way to cope with the overwhelming feelings of sorrow and existential dread,” Salas told the blog “ Booooooom .” “It is an open diary, illustrating an inward exploration of the spirit seeking to understand human anguish in the face of the unknown.” — J.C.

As It Was Give(n) to Me by Stacy Kranitz

Photographs, alone, have imperfect narrative capabilities. American photographer Stacy Kranitz comes to terms with that notion in her first monograph,   As It Was Give(n) to Me , which chronicles her more than a decade-long stay in the Appalachian region of the United States. “I have a much deeper awareness of the limitations of photography and the failure of the documentary tradition,” she reflects in a 2019 article in the  British Journal of Photography . Along with photographs of daily life, landscapes and details, Kranitz combines archival imagery and pressed flowers to tell the story of a place often misunderstood. Individual photographs, seen in isolation by Kranitz, arguably show the tropes of a region. But more often than not, the pictures go beyond the stereotypes of Appalachia, an area often overlooked, lampooned and reduced to its state of poverty. Kranitz inserts herself in this narrative with self-portraits at the end of each section. One photograph of her with someone else on horseback has their backs to the sunset as if to say, “We’ve arrived, and we’re here to stay.” —Donny Bajohr

Flint Is Family in Three Acts by LaToya Ruby Frazier

Flint Is Family in Three Acts   from Chicago-based photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier captures the lives altered by the human-made  water crisis  in Flint, Michigan. Originally brought to Flint on assignment, Frazier found herself drawn to the community’s people. As the news cycle moved on, she stayed. Known for her collaborations with the communities she documents, Frazier worked with local poet  Shea Cobb  and others over the course of five years. Her images depict clean water protests, bottled water collecting, mothers and daughters, and communities coming together. In the last act, portraits show proud members of Flint collecting water from an enormous water filtering system, brought in not by government officials but by the community members themselves.   —D.B.

Floridas by Anastasia Samoylova and Walker Evans

Anastasia Samoylova ’s latest book, Floridas , is a collaboration with the late photographer  Walker Evans  (1903-75), known best for his work documenting the Great Depression for the Farm Security Administration. Both outsiders—Samoylova, Soviet-born and now Miami-based, and Evans, born in St. Louis—have given their own interpretation of the Sunshine State. Samoylova has road-tripped up and down the state since 2016, and Evans photographed different parts during four decades of assignments. Together, their photographs record the then and now of one of the most environmentally vulnerable states. More than once, pictures show surreal locations caused by low-sitting water after a coastal storm. Weaving black and white with color photographs filled with layers and light, the sequence can often seem dreamlike, but the two versions of Florida documented in  Floridas   are very real.   —D.B.

I Just Wanna Surf by Gabriella Angotti-Jones

Candid, fresh images of joy fill the pages of I Just Wanna Surf by California-based photographer Gabriella Angotti-Jones . Motivated by a lack of inclusive representation in the surfing community, Angotti-Jones, a surfer herself, captures spirited moments in the sea—like one smiling surfer embracing the coldness of the water—and the quiet moments in between—with portraits of fellow surfers proudly posing with their boards. The book’s layout is influenced by skate and surf magazines of the 1990s, showing edges of film scans, and includes a poster insert with a collage of images that have an energy to them that will make any viewer want to jump in the drink and have the salt and sand in their hair. From Hawaii to New York, Angotti-Jones adds a new lens on surf culture not to be overlooked.  —D.B.

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Donny Bajohr | READ MORE

Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian . You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr .

Jeff Campagna | | READ MORE

Jeff Campagna is a photo editor at Smithsonian magazine. You can follow him on Instagram at @jeffcampagna .

The best photo books in 2024: Mixbook, Shutterfly, Printique, Snapfish and more tested

What service should you use to make the best photo books and photo albums? We reviewed and compared five of the most popular services to find out

The quick list

Best overall, best image quality, other services we tested, how we test photo book services, when is the best time to buy a photo book.

• How to choose

1. Best overall 2. Best image quality 3. Best value 4. Other services we tested 5. How we test 6. Photo book test scores 7. The best time to buy a photo book 8. How to choose

Whatever the occasion, a personalized photo book always makes a great gift. But where do you begin if you want to turn your photos of a summer trip to Spain or a surprise birthday weekend in the mountains into a beautiful present?

We’ve been testing the best photo book services for more than five years by doing what you would do: creating a photo book. In the process, we looked at which service was the easiest to use, which offered the most options for things like clip art and binding, which had the best image quality, and which offered the best value. 

This year, we tested Mixbook, Printique, Shutterfly, Snapfish, and Vistaprint. We've also included shipping information where available, as photo books take time to make — and will cost more the longer you wait to order. 

And be sure to check out our picks for the best photo calendars , and best photo cards , and discover 9 tips to make the best holiday cards .

Great features, excellent image quality, the easiest-to-use software, and even online chat support make this our top pick overall.

Read more below .

If image quality is your number-one criteria when choosing the best photo book service, go with Printique, which also has powerful design software.

Read more below.  

While not the flashiest of services, Vistaprint had good-enough quality and affordable prices to make this a solid value pick among photo books.

Read more below.

The best photo book services

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Mixbook was the best service overall for making photo books of the five we tested. Its combination of ease of use, top-notch image quality and good value should make it appealing to a broad range of users. Newbies will love Mixbook’s fun and easy-to-use software while more advanced users will appreciate the wide range of customization options to help you get creative. And the image quality of our 20-page, hardcover book came in a close second to Printique.

If you’re intimidated about designing a photo book, Mixbook takes out the stress with clear and fun-to-use software that helps make the process a breeze. At the same time, there are hundreds upon hundreds of ways to customize your book, including 644 design templates alone, if you want to take a deeper dive. Mixbook had among the best-looking and most user-friendly project editing software of the services we reviewed, matched only by Snapfish . The interface offers a myriad of options but isn’t cluttered and optimizes the space by providing a roomy preview of your project.

In terms of image quality, our finished book from Mixbook tied Printique for the best cover while coming in second place for its interior pages. For the photo books we created during testing, we used an image of a waterfall we shot at Yellowstone National Park. The photo was captured at sunset and Mixbook did a great job of reproducing detail in both the brighter light at the top of the waterfall and the shadow areas in the valley below. On the inside pages, Mixbook's default Everyday Semi-Gloss finish produced solid, pleasing contrast. Both light and dark skintones in our portraits were rendered true-to-life.

Other things we liked about Mixbook are its well-designed mobile app that lets you manage your projects on the site or create products from the photos on your phone. And finally, Mixbook’s handy 24/7 chat support is built right into the design interface, so it’s always available if you get stuck while making a book.

If you order a photo book from Mixbook, be sure to check out its shipping information and deadlines .

Read our full Mixbook review . 

2. Printique

If image quality is your main concern for photo books, Printique is the service for you. While some competing companies have caught up in other ways, Printique still makes the best-looking books around. Their overall stature, however, has slipped a bit, dropping them to second place behind Mixbook after being ranked first for books in years past. What’s changed? Printique’s software feels dated now and is a challenge to use, which could turn off less experienced users. Printique’s photo books are also significantly more expensive than the competition.

For serious photographers (including pros), though, the trade-offs may be worth it. The most distinctive thing about Printique’s books are their very thick, rigid pages, which are similar to what you’d find in a professional wedding photo album. Similarly, even the entry-level books come with a layflat binding that prevents a furrow in the seam between pages, making this design perfect for images that span spreads. The pages display really well with excellent color, skin tone, contrast and sharpness/detail. We also liked the results of a few black-and-white photos we included in our book, which looked dramatic without losing detail.

While Printique’s software offers the most control of the services we tested, we feel it’s better suited to the advanced user than newbies. Seasoned designers will appreciate the variety of rulers, gridlines, submenus, and toolbars offered in Printique’s feature-rich interface, but beginners might be intimidated. 

Another barrier for entry is price. Printique doesn’t really have an “entry-level” book that’s comparable to the other services since it only offers the premium layflat binding option with lavish, thick pages, which cost more. This level of quality doesn’t come cheap.

When ordering a photo book, be sure to check out Printique's shipping information and deadlines , so you know how long to expect before it arrives.

Read our full Printique review .

3. Vistaprint

If you think Vistaprint is only adept at making business cards and other marketing materials, think again. The company has expanded in recent years to include a wide range of personal print-on-demand services including photo books. While it’s difficult to find the book-making option on Vistaprint’s vast website, once you do, we think you’ll be pleased with the process and the results, as we were. Plus, the prices can’t be beat, making it the best value of all the services for books.

For testing purposes, we made hardcover books with all the services in approximately the 11 x 8.5-inch, landscape format since we felt that size would appeal to most users. At $30, Vistaprint’s book was the cheapest of the five companies; $5 less than Shutterfly, which was the second cheapest, and a whopping $45 less than Printique, which was the most expensive. As an added bonus, Vistaprint’s entry-level books come standard at 24 pages, while all the competition’s books start at 20 pages.

Given the affordable price, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of our photo books from Vistaprint. Our wraparound matte cover shot of a waterfall had rich detail even in the highlight and shadow areas, showing good dynamic range. The white endpapers for the front and rear inside covers have a classy look and feel as does the well stitched binding. The image quality of the interior pages was inconsistent though, with some of our landscape and cityscape images looking vibrant and crisp, while portraits were flat and overexposed at times.

Vistaprint’s software isn’t snazzy, but it gets the job done. It may look basic and a bit dated but unlike Printique’s complicated and outmoded interface, Vistaprint’s rudimentary software provides a relatively stress-free experience for making photo books. Just don’t expect anything fancy or a vast assortment of editing tools and you won’t be disappointed.  

Read our full Vistaprint review .

4. Shutterfly

Shutterfly is an easy to use and reliable service that does a lot of things right. In particular, the paper quality was great overall, and it did a decent job with its photo printing. Mixbook remains the best photo book service overall for its higher quality and better software, but if you want a relatively stress-free experience in creating solid if not spectacular books from a seasoned brand, Shutterfly is the one for you. 

We thought Shutterfly’s software offered a good compromise between providing full control over a project and not overloading you with too much information. If you get stuck while making a product, just click the question mark icon in the lower left to bring up the help overlay. The only downside is we found the software somewhat slow to use; in particular, there was a noticeable lag of a few seconds before images displayed in a layout.

Despite its robust and intuitive software, the resulting photo books were a mixed bag. While the page quality was the best of all the photo books we reviewed, the color was just ok, with some pale skin tones in portraits getting washed out while darker skin appeared oversaturated with a loss of detail.

The default glossy hardcover was quite eye-catching though, and the color of our waterfall shot looked natural with ample detail. But the shiny cover surface is prone to glare. Inside, the pages have a good weight and the smooth matte finish produced minimal reflection. Some brighter images, however, appeared slightly washed out in print. We also weren’t so keen on the binding, which felt flimsy, and cut off the edges of the images in the center crease. So, while Shutterfly did a good job overall, there are enough misses to fall short of the top tier of Printique and Mixbook.

Before ordering, be sure to check out Shutterfly's shipping guidelines .

Read our full Shutterfly review .

5. Snapfish

With how easy and user-friendly Snapfish’s software was to use, we really wanted to like this service more than we did. The process of creating photo books, calendars, and cards with Snapfish was so pleasant, we expected the finished products to be equally satisfying. Unfortunately, its photo book came in last among the services we tested.

The bright glossy hardcover of our book didn’t look bad from a distance, but when inspected closer it lacked detail in the flowing waterfall shot. Not awful but not great either. The print quality of the inside pages is where Snapfish really stumbles. The floppy pages in our standard 8 x 11-inch book were the thinnest of all we created from the various companies. On the other hand, while the stitched perfect binding of the book looked cheap, the crease between pages cut off only a small portion of the images. Comparatively, most of the other books in our testing obscured noticeable portions of photos in the binding.     

We wish all of the photo printing brands would emulate Snapfish’s snazzy software. It’s not only simple to use and logically laid out, it turns the process of creating a photo book into a pleasure rather than like pulling teeth. When creating a book, you can scroll through an authentic looking visual representation of the entire book to see all of the pages more easily. Snapfish’s book builder also had the fastest load times of the various companies we tested, with virtually no lag when dragging and dropping images or scrolling through layouts. 

In the end, Snapfish is something of a conundrum. While we would recommend it for anyone who might be intimidated by the process of creating products, those with more discerning image quality taste for books should look elsewhere.

Read our full Snapfish review .

For testing purposes, we created similar custom-designed books from the five services in our evaluation, Mixbook, Printique, Shutterfly, Snapfish and Vistaprint, which we deemed to be the top companies on the market. We made 20 to 24-page hardcover books with all the services in approximately the 11 x 8.5-inch, landscape format since we felt that size would appeal to most users. The only major difference in the five books was the one created with Printique, which only offers a premium layflat binding and professional-quality, thick pages, even as an entry-level option. 

While creating our books, we picked layouts and designs that were similar across the five services as well. For photos, I used my own portraits, landscapes, and cityscapes, which were shot in both studio and natural light. For portraits, the subjects encompassed a variety of skin tones. The three main factors the services were judged on were software, image quality, and value. For the book-making software, we considered both the levels of customization offered and the ease-of-use. 

For image quality, we compared photos across the selection of books, as well as against the original digital images displayed on a MacBook Air retina display. Criteria for judging included cover quality, paper quality, color, skin tones, contrast, and sharpness/detail. For value, we took into account both the price of the photo books and the level of quality of the finished product. So, for instance, a good quality book that cost a low price would get a higher value score than a poor quality book at a similar price. The same value scale was used for more expensive books in our testing.

This year, we evaluated Mixbook, Shutterfly, Printique, Vistaprint, and Snapfish. However, in years past, we've also tested a number of other services, none of whom made it into our top tier. If you'd like to read those older reviews, they're listed below. Just bear in mind that the quality of some of these services may have changed since we last reviewed them.

  Motif review | Artifact Uprising review | Amazon Prints review | Mpix review | Picaboo review | Blurb Bookify review | CVS Photo review | Walmart Photos review | Mimeo review

Procrastination is a natural human instinct, but it will cost you when it comes to photo books. In particular, if the book is a gift for the holidays or if you just want it quickly for yourself, you’re going to be paying more for rush delivery services, which can increase the cost greatly. And in our experience, fast delivery is the one thing that is seldom discounted by book companies. 

So, try to order you books as early as possible. Not only does it save you time, it gives you the chance to look over the book and order a reprint in case there are any errors. Another reason to order as early as possible is that many of the best photo book services offer big discounts throughout the year — up to 50% off in some cases, or with other extras thrown in. 

How to choose the best photo book service for you

Image quality The most important factor for most people is that their book should look good. But what does this mean exactly? In simple terms, it means the quality of the photos should be great — skin tones should be accurate, lighting should be correct, and details should be crisp. In the best photo books, you should have good contrast, deep blacks, and an overall evenness in color gradation. 

Book construction A photo book should also be built well. You shouldn't see pages coming free from the binding, the paper itself should have a substantial weight and feel, and images and text should be aligned properly.

Book-creation software If a company has poor software, you’re likely to either not be able to create the photo book you want or grow frustrated with the process and give up. While ease-of-use is a key factor, customization is also important too and our favorite brands offered a good combination of both with their software. You should be able to fully edit the book templates, easily find background art and more, and make fine adjustments to your photos, too.

Cost Price is also an important factor. With the exception of the most and least expensive options, you won't find too much variation between photo book printing services. However, some services offer options like better paper, different-size books, and things like lay-flat binding, which means you can open the book flat on a table, and not worry about breaking the spine.

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Dan Havlik has worked in the photo industry for over decades and is currently editor-in chief of Wild Eye ( www.wildeyemagazine.com ), a new magazine devoted to the celebration of nature, wildlife, and underwater photography. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Outdoor Photographer and Shutterbug magazines. He has been an editor and writer for a variety of other publications and websites including Photo District News (PDN), Rangefinder, Wired, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports, Maxim, Men’s Journal, Imaging Resource, and LAPTOP. Dan is also an avid runner with three marathons under his belt and has written fitness reviews, including guides to the best running shoes and GPS watches, for Business Insider.

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The Best Photo Books of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Why trust Reviewed?

Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Shutterfly Photo Books

Unlimited layout combinations

Great print quality

Fast shipping

May be overwhelming for beginners

Mixbook Photo Books

Bright photos

Many page layouts

Quick shipping

Slightly flimsy binding

Artifact Uprising Photo Books

Soft and hardcover options

High-quality printing

Eco-friendly options

Fewer cover options

Milk Photo Books

Quality photo printing

Easy to customize

No option for text on cover

Picaboo Photo Books

Pages lay flat

Bright photo prints

Confusing customization tool

No autofill or text box option

Updated September 14, 2022

But there's another option that appeals to many, and particularly those who lived it up during the good ol' days of making scrapbooks. Instead of turning to double-sided tape and stickers, you can digitally upload photos directly from your phone to any number of online photo book maker services and turn them into a printed book with binding. Most photo book services allow you to design the book yourself for a truly personal touch.

Shutterfly is the best photo book you can make.

Shutterfly makes the best online photo book. From the ease of uploading photos, to unlimited layouts, a gorgeous print job, and quick shipping—this is the best photo book for your time and money.

Shutterfly offers ample layouts and designs, with additional options for text, graphic, and up to 25 photos per page. Using Shutterfly's online photo book platform, we were able to easily upload our photos and arrange them neatly.

Shutterfly offers one of the biggest layout and design options when it comes to online photo book services, making it easy to find a book style that suits you. You can also add text boxes and graphics to the pages. Though all these features and options give Shutterfly an edge, it’s fair to say the design process could feel overwhelming to some.

The physical photo book arrived and looked just like the online rendering. The cover is bright and shiny, and the pages have a nice weight to them without being overly stiff. Most importantly, the printed photos are colorful, clear, and crisp. Even the photos that take up a full page are high quality. We are incredibly impressed with the creative building process and the finished product, making Shutterly our number one pick for photo books.

Mixbook is the best photo book you can buy for the money.

When it comes to value, Mixbook makes the best photo books. Compared to other photo book services we tested, Mixbook is one of the most affordable print services without sacrificing the quality of more expensive photo books. The online interface took a minute to figure out, but once my images were uploaded, we enjoyed playing around with the various page options and how the photos looked in the different layouts.

There’s also an autofill option if you’d rather have your photos imported straight to the pages. And there are text boxes, frames, and graphics you can add to your pages to make them even more unique.

The front cover is clear and has a slightly matte finish. The interior pages are on the thicker side and the photos are bright, though the binding is flimsier than our best overall pick. Shutterfly. The printing quality is consistent no matter the size of the photo, and the colors are true to life.

And, the Mixbook photo book arrived through the mail quickly. One downside, though, is that the online interface takes some getting used to, mostly because there are so many options shown on screen at once.

For one of the best photo books for the money, you’ve got to go with Mixbook.

Other Photo Books We Tested

Artifact Uprising is a popular photo book service, especially for remembering events like weddings, graduations, and family vacations. While most photo books will look better with professional photos, Artifact Uprising’s materials and layouts cater to high quality images.

The full-page image options look like they will allow your photos to shine for years to come.

We found Artifact Uprising’s online customization process easy to navigate. It was easy and quick to batch upload my photos and start toying around with page layouts and the order of my images. Plus, Artifact Uprising offers some eco-friendly options like 100% recycled options and reclaimed materials like wood fibers and pine wood blocks.

There was the option to auto-populate the book, which is great if you aren’t sure where to start or want to save time. We had the online system autofill the book and then moved a few things around to our liking. There is also an option to add text boxes. However, the design tool has fewer cover and layout options than our best overall selection.

The finished product is a beautiful, minimalist-style photo book that balances white space with the photos. The page layouts look just like they did when we designed them online. For the most part, the photos are crisp and colorful, but a few are slightly darker than what we uploaded.

One thing we'd do differently next time, though, is make sure not to have photos go all the way to the center of the page because some are slightly cut off by the binding, which we didn’t notice in the online rendering.

Creating a photo book using Milk Handcrafted Photo Books was fun, straightforward, and rewarding. The online creation tool was easy to use with a quick photo upload, a single cover option, and many page layouts.

It was easy to customize the pages without being overwhelming or confusing, and though the layouts were limited we had more than enough to create a book we liked.

The fabric exterior is a nice touch, though it means there isn’t a label on the spine or front cover; but there is a title page which is unique.

The photos are printed well with accurate colors, clarity, and just enough shine. The pages and bindings are pretty durable, making this one of the best photo books we've tested.

Picaboo’s photo book process had a balance of pros and cons, but ultimately it ranks lower on our list due to its confusing online customization tool.

The beginning part of the build process went smoothly: The photos uploaded quickly, we chose a cover that rendered well on the surface, and we were pleased with the variety of layout options.

However, we found the online tool overwhelmingly complicated because it had grouped pages in “spreads” with some photos laid out across the binding of the book on one or both pages when the book was flat. We wanted to avoid parts of photos being cut off or hard to see, so we had to ungroup all the spreads in the book before we could pick the layouts we liked and arrange photos.

Despite the headaches, the photo book looked amazing once it arrived. The pages are a bit flimsy but lay flat, which is a feature we love. The cover photo is a bit dark, but the rest of the photos are bright, clear, and true to color.

From start to finish, Vistaprint offers one of the best photo book services. Our photos uploaded quickly, and we were able to use the autofill option to create the base of the book, which makes the process so much easier.

There are only a few photo layout options, but each offers plenty of room and you can select how many photos you want per page.

One gripe we have is with the cover photo. We wanted to use a horizontal image on the vertical photo book. Instead of letting us zoom out with extra white space, the cover photo is zoomed in and cuts off people in the photo.

In person, the Vistaprint photo book impresses with stunning print quality that looks true to what we created online. Even the full page photos are clear and crisp.

The cover cuts off the left and right edge of the photo, and when we run our hands across it, we can feel some small bubbles in the printing.

As long as you have a vertical cover image and don’t mind limited layout options, the Vistaprint photo book is a solid option.

Quick batch upload

Bubbly cover

Few layout options

Flimsy pages

Using Walmart Photos to create a photo book is a bit of a mixed bag—the process was both simple and frustrating. On one hand, we could easily upload photos, select a cover, navigate the layouts, and even use the autofill option.. But on the other hand, Walmart Photos doesn't have any options for text boxes like other online photo book services do.

We found that the size of some images in the layouts seemed small, which meant the final product had a lot of white space and the photos didn’t look as great. The borders for each page are large too, causing the book to look unbalanced.

The photo book itself is low quality: The pages are very thin, the photos are dull, and the cover image is blurry.

Ample layout options

Flimsy Pages

No text options

Creating a photo book with Snapfish is an uncomplicated process similar to others in our guide. We were able to batch upload photos, customize the cover, and place photos ourselves or use an autofill option.

Snapfish offers many different layouts, but the main thing that sets it apart from other services is that many of the layouts require five or more photos. We didn’t like how small that meant each photo needed to be, so we opted to use the layouts for four photos or fewer.

When we got the book, we were disappointed to see that the cover photos (and ones inside the book) appeared to be overexposed—too bright for our liking. Additionally, the colors of the images inside of the book were not entirely accurate and differed slightly from what we originally submitted.

The binding of the book is decently strong, but the pages are flimsy to the point that they feel as if they’d rip if you flip through it. Because the product is average, I’d opt for another service that has more layouts and a better final product.

Dull colors

Unfortunately, our experience with Pinhole Press was aggravating from start to finish. The batch photo upload tool didn’t work well and was slow, and once we selected a cover, we weren’t able to resize, zoom, or make it on the vertical page. The bottom line is that the design tool made filling the book with photos more difficult than other photo books we tested. Pinhole Press also lacks options for text boxes, which most other online photo book services offer.

When the book arrived, we were disappointed to see that it looked nothing like the online preview—two people were cut off in the photo and the title text was so hard to read that we barely noticed it was there. Additionally, the color of the photos in the book appeared darker than other photo books we tested.

On the plus side, the Pinhole Press photo book is durable and sturdy, with thick pages similar to that of a high school yearbook. However durable the photo book is, though, it's not the kind of quality you'll get with our best overall pick.

Thick pages

Difficult cover customization

Dark photos

Complicated photo upload

Amazon Photos only makes photo books in a single size with limited design options. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a simple, barebones photo book, but if you want something truly customizable, check out Shutterfly instead.

Most other photo books come in a variety of sizes, but Amazon's is only available in an 8-inch by 8-inch size. There's also only one image per page—far more limiting than any other service we tested.

You don’t get to be creative with the images or placement, but the book becomes thick the more images you include since each image is another page.

The finished photo book was durable, with a matte cover and thick pages. Most of the photos printed well but have a dark tint that wasn’t present in the original photos and many other photo books we tested.

Somewhat dark photo printing

One photo per page

One size only

We disliked each step of making a photo book with Printique. For starters, the photo upload tool had one of the longest upload times, which slowed down the design process. Printique has limited layouts, it was difficult to customize each page because I had to manually adjust the images to be the same size or have symmetrical borders. Other photo books we tested automatically adjusted.

Disappointingly, the front and back cover feel like one large sticker spread across the thicker cover material, and in some places there are even bubbles. Printique is one of the more expensive options, so we were disappointed with the poor product given the price.

The interior of the book is quite nice, with incredibly durable pages and brightly printed photos. It’s worth noting that though the pages are thick and strong, the materials are vinyl-like, which we didn’t select. If you’re looking for a flat or matte option this isn’t that—it’s much shinier and almost has a dotted pattern in the light.

Vinyl-like pages

Slow batch upload

Cheap cover

How We Tested Photo Books

We evaluated each photo book's print quality and brightness.

Each photo book was tested in two steps. The first assessment was an evaluation of the online creation process, accounting for photo uploading, the design tools, and placing an order.

The second test evaluated how the physical photo book turned out, including photo printing quality, page material, book covers, and the like.

I’m Liv Birdsall, a contributor to Reviewed where I review lifestyle products ranging from beauty and style to home and garden. I was thrilled to test out photo books because I love memory keeping. I opted to create a photo book using images from my yoga certification training to use as a reference now that I teach yoga.

We created each photo book by uploading the same 45 to 50 photos to each site’s online design tool and tried different features like auto filling the book with photos, adjusting the photo sizes, and moving pages around. We used the same image on the cover of each book to see how it would render and print. We made sure to use all the photos in each book, and then completed the orders for all the books.

Once the photo books arrived, we flipped through them and compared the printing quality. Some photos were dark and dull, some were bright, some were exposed or blurry, and some were true to color. We assessed the pages, bindings, cover quality, and how durable each book felt.

What You Should Know About Buying a Photo Book

We tested the best photo books that you can make online.

Buying a photo book is typically a two part process: designing the book and then ordering the book. The design steps can be as involved as you’d like, similar to scrapbooking.

Some photo book websites allow you to add frames, graphics, and text boxes to each page to customize every detail. Before you begin designing, you’ll first want to gather all your photos for the book in one folder; this is to streamline the uploading process and to get an idea of how large of a photo book you’ll need.

When it comes to designing, give yourself time to be creative. If you want a photo book fast, use the auto-populate tool that many sites offer and then review the photos to make sure they aren’t cut off by any formats and are ordered to your liking.

If you’re looking to customize each page, adjust layouts and photos to make your photo book unique and reflective of the memories you want to capture.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the tester

Liv Birdsall

Contributor

Liv Birdsall is a Freelance Contributor at Reviewed. She is most passionate about eco-friendly initiatives and alternatives and writes about sustainability across subject areas, including beauty, style, home and garden, and lifestyle. Her writing can be found on USA Today, Reviewed.com, Yoga Journal, and her blog muchmess.com. She works as a yoga teacher, QA Analyst, Copyeditor, and Blog Coordinator, all from her plant-filled home in Columbus, Ohio.

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Amy Davies presents our pick of the best photography books from 2021

It’s always a difficult – but enjoyable – job to go through the past year’s worth of books to pick out a few to highlight at the end of the year.

Arguably, we’re living in a golden age of book publishing, with hundreds of different volumes published in recent times, perhaps spurred on by people being at home more than ever before, and a craving to spend some time away from a screen and looking at proper, printed material.

As the Features Editor, it is my task to pick out selections for inclusion in our reviews section each week. We also use books as starting points for larger features across the entire magazine. This year, we have been spoiled for choice and it’s been no easy task to pick out just a handful to present here.

I also asked a few colleagues to choose their best picks, so you’ll see below what they have chosen. Naturally, it wouldn’t be possible to read every book that is published this year, so if you don’t see your favourite, feel free to let us know what you would have picked via the usual communication methods.

If you’re lucky enough to receive book tokens in your Christmas stocking this year, putting them towards some of the following publications will reward you handsomely.

Best photography books 2021, selected by Amy Davies

Women photographers, edited by clara bouveresse.

£35, Thames and Hudson, 3x softback, 432 pages (total), ISBN: 9780500411186

If you wanted a quick, simple but thorough introduction to the history of fantastic women photographers since the invention’s medium, this set is it.

Divided into three volumes – Pioneers, Revolutionaries and Contemporaries – these are all great books to pick up and dip in and out of when you want to find new inspiration and the back catalogue of somebody new (to you) to dive into.

There are names here that are instantly recognisable to anyone with even a brief smattering of photographic historical knowledge, while others are perhaps less well known but equally as talented or interesting.

Each potted bio is accompanied by a single picture from the archive of said photographer. It can’t have been an easy job to select just one, but each acts as a fantastic launching pad to find out more.

If you’ve got a particular interest in any of the given time periods, the books are also available as individual items, but the slipcase makes for a handsome presentation – and perhaps a nice last-minute gift for those interested in the subject.

Women Photographers available from Amazon

Birds by Tim Flach

£45, Abrams, hardback, 336 pages, ISBN: 9781419747618

In a year when dozens of books have landed on my desk (a tough job, but somebody has to do it), this is one where I felt genuine excitement to see it arrive. Happily I wasn’t disappointed when it did.

Having interviewed Tim for our large feature on his new project, I couldn’t wait to see the weighty tome in the flesh for myself. I’d seen a PDF of it, but there’s nothing quite like sitting down to flick through something in real life – especially so when it’s as beautiful and exquisitely printed as this.

Whether or not you’ve got a deep interest in the natural world, you should find something in here to appeal. From the beautiful colours of the exotic birds to the more familiar portraits of common types, you can really see how much of a labour of love this was for Tim and his team.

It was fascinating to learn more from Tim about how he uses portraiture techniques to anthropomorphise his subjects, a technique which he says encourages sympathy towards conservation efforts from as wide an audience as possible – especially the sceptics or unsympathetic.

This book is just simply stunning and I can’t recommend it enough. Considering the size and quality of it too, at £45 it’s a veritable bargain.

Birds – Tim Flash (Buy now from Amazon)

Single Dad by Harry Borden

£17.95, Hoxton Mini Press, hardback, 112 pages, ISBN: 9781910566893

Quite possibly one of the most heart-wrenching photography books to come out of the past 12 months – if not beyond – regular AP contributor Harry Borden’s beautiful project Single Dad is poignant, heartfelt and incredibly touching.

Himself a single father, this is obviously a deeply personal project for the photographer, but one which he has approached with his usual flair for portraiture and storytelling.

Taking the distorted and outdated notions of fatherhood and masculinity and turning them on their head, these are the stories of those who have suffered a loss – either of a partner, or of a relationship – and are coming to terms with that means for everyone involved.

A delicate and graceful look at love, loss, vulnerability, tenderness and also at times the injustices of the system in which parents find themselves trapped, it’s probably the book that has spoken to me most profoundly this year.

Published by Hoxton Mini Press, who have – as usual – produced some wonderful books this year, it’s also printed handsomely and is a nice product to hold. Again, this would make a fantastic gift for anybody with any kind of connection to the subject matter.

Single Dad (Buy now)

Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene by Jo-Anne MacArthur & Keith Wilson

£75, Lantern Publishing, hardback, 305 pages, ISBN: 9781590566381

When we see our inbox overflowing with letters – not all of them positive – about a feature, then we know we’re doing something right.

A feature in the early part of 2021 looking at the book Hidden drew as many comments from readers as I can remember a single piece doing in recent history. Engagement like that is what we always strive for in AP, and this is one that really touched a lot of people.

In case you missed it, this is the important – but unflinching – story of the animals we are aware of, but that generally remain hidden from view. The animals we eat, the animals we wear, the animals used for research and work, the animals used for entertainment, and the animals used for tradition and religion.

Drawing together some of the world’s most noted photojournalists, it’s an important reminder of why we all need to work together to improve conditions for every living thing – human or otherwise.

Keith Wilson is also a regular contributor to Amateur Photographer, having formerly been its editor.

Hidden (Buy Now)

New Yorkers by Sally Davies

£20, Ammonite Press, hardback, 160 pages, ISBN: 9781781454046

As a lover of both quirky-portraiture and New York, Sally Davies’ book was a dead cert for getting my attention.The set of portraits feels intimate in a way that probably wouldn’t be possible in the current Covid climate, and each character is as off-the-wall and outlandish as the last.

With 70 portraits to explore, there’s everything here from drag artists, store owners, doctors, dog walkers, cab drivers, gallery owners and everything in between.

Diversity, eccentricity and humanity are all found in abundance, and I loved the stories so much that it was an obvious choice for inclusion in my selection.

Regardless of whether or not you’ve been to New York yourself, there’s something to enjoy here. It’s a city which seems to have embedded itself in our global cultural consciousness, so there’s every chance you may feel you recognise some of the characters here anyway. New Yorkers also seem to have a distinctly different identity to other Americans, so it makes for quite a fascinating study.

It’d be interesting to see how a similar study would compare in one of the UK’s cities – perhaps one of our readers might take on the challenge in 2022.

New Yorkers (Buy now)

Marilyn Stafford: A Life in Photography

£32, Bluecoat Press, hardback, 228 pages, ISBN: 9781908457707

I make it my personal mission to back at least one photography book on Kickstarter each year. It seems to be the case that a lot of those that I’ve recently backed have come from Bluecoat Press, which continues to make impressive volumes at an affordable price and via this very modern method of crowdfunding.

One of the books I chose to back this year was Marilyn Stafford’s. A name which is probably familiar to many AP readers, she won our Exceptional Achievement Award a couple of years back, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing her a couple of times too.

At 96 years young, she’s still a veritable powerhouse, maintaining the annual Marilyn Stafford Awards, and it’s at this tender age that she has published her first photo book – what an achievement.

The book looks back on some of her finest work from the 50s, 60s and 70s, where some notable career and life highlights include photographing Einstein, shooting the latest fashion on the streets of Paris, photographing refugees in Algeria, and being good friends with that little-known French photographer, Henri-Cartier Bresson.

Marilyn Stafford: A Life in Photography (Buy Now)

The AP Team select their best photography books of 2021

Amazonia by sebastião salgado.

£100, Taschen, hardback, 528 pages, ISBN: 9783836585101

Eight years in the making,  Amazônia sees one of the world’s greatest photographers return to his home country to document probably Earth’s most important natural habitat and the lives of some of the indigenous tribes that call it home.

The logistical challenges involved in creating this epic record were considerable, from working with the Brazilian airforce to capture his awe-inspiring aerial views, to his collaboration with FUNAI without whom access to these rarely seen people would not be possible. Salgado spent months at a time living off-grid in deep, humid jungle, with people whose lives are as different from ours as it is possible to get.

As usual, his powerful b&w images justify the effort involved. The Amazon is still being destroyed at an alarming rate. How its loss will affect the sustainability of life on Earth for the rest of us is still unclear but the impact of its loss on the people and wildlife that live there is, sadly, all too obvious.

Chosen by Nigel Atherton, Editor

Sebastião Salgado. Amazônia (Buy Now)

Mother: A Tribute to Mother Earth by Marsel van Oosten

£50, Te Neues, hardback, 320 pages, ISBN: 9783961713349

Multi-award-winning nature photographer Marsel van Oosten has brought together 170 of his favourite images from his 15-year career, spanning five continents, into this sumptuous large-format book, and it’s one of the best tributes to Earth’s natural riches that I have ever seen. Stunning images of iconic wildlife subjects sit alongside landscapes of breathtaking beauty.

Often his photographs straddle both wildlife and landscape genres, as he shoots wide to show the animal in its environment. If this book were a song it would be Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World.

Unusually, van Oosten provides plenty of technical details and anecdotes about how he took his pictures, as well as explanations about the subjects and the challenges they face. Mother is uplifting to look at but often depressing to read, as we’re reminded that so many of these amazing creatures and habitats may be consigned to history by the time my kids are my age.

Mother – A Tribute to Mother Earth (Buy now)

Cherry Blossom by Bruce Gilden

£40, Thames and Hudson, hardback, 144 pages, ISBN: 9780500545553

When gaijin shoot Japan you tend to get a predictable menu: moody neon-noir night in the city shots; postcard-style images; gritty street photography in the style of Daido Moriyama but rarely done as well. Street photographer Bruce Gilden is very much one of a kind, however.

As well as familiar images of dapper yakuza looking hard, Cherry Blossom also takes an unflinching look at the homeless and urban underclass in Tokyo and Osaka. Many images reveal a Goya-esque level of misery, but Japan being Japan, Gilden also captures how even the cardboard cities in Tokyo are relatively tidy. He shows compassion throughout.

My only quibble is the fuss he makes about the titular image, ‘Cherry Blossom’; a Japanese lady in a kimono eating fried chicken under sakura trees might once have been an unusual capture but hardly so since the 90s. Otherwise this is a wonderful retrospective.

Chosen by Geoff Harris, Deputy Editor

Bruce Gilden: Cherry Blossom (Buy now)

Humans By Brandon Stanton Macmillan

£25, 448 pages, hardback, ISBN 978-1509851744

If you asked around for the name of the most influential photographer working today, I suspect few would mention Brandon Stanton. But as the author of the massively popular Humans of New York page on Facebook, he has a reach that dwarfs many more illustrious names, with nearly 18 million followers.

The Humans book brings together all the elements that made HONY a hit, but with an array of portraits from around the globe. It’s not really a conventional photo book, in that there’s no great style or artifice. Pictures are simply shot outdoors, in ambient light, and apparently unposed.

There’s not even an over-arching story; instead randomness is a key element. This is just a snapshot of humanity, regardless of age, colour or creed. Crucially, each portrait is accompanied by a snippet of the subject’s life story, often something deeply personal.

The real genius of Humans lies in how Stanton pairs his portraits with these statements in a fashion that’s always sympathetic and never judgemental, and then sequences the stories to reveal a richer insight into the human condition. The result is a deeply touching book. It might not teach you how to become a better photographer, but it could help you be a better human.

Chosen by Andy Westlake, Technical Editor

Humans (Buy now)

Further reading

Best Photography Books 2020 | Books to inspire

Books from AP: Bookazine Improve Your Photography

Jessica studied Fine Art at Loughborough University, where she specialised in photography and graduated in 2017. Following this she went on to manage the social media at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, and West Dean Gardens. In 2020, Jessica also studied MA Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture at University of Westminster and curated online photography exhibition, Materiality Exposed. She joined Amateur Photographer in 2021 and is responsible for managing AP’s social media and creating web content.

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The Best Photo Book Service

By Erin Roberts

We live in a digital world overflowing with images and screens. By creating a tangible photo book, you can reconnect with your images, as well as those moments in time. And photo books make sharing memories with family and friends so much easier.

After conducting more than 100 hours of research and testing (which included creating 23 photo books and consulting with a master printer on the results), we recommend Mixbook as the best online photo book service.

Everything we recommend

Easy-to-design photo books with vibrant colors

This service offers the best book-building experience, modern design options, color-accurate photo reproduction, great customer service, and a powerful app.

Buying Options

Budget pick.

Affordable photo books for gifts or small projects

If you want to print multiple copies of a photo book to give as gifts (or for projects that aren’t meant to be keepsakes), this service delivers good-enough books at an affordable price.

Creating photo albums is fun with Mixbook , which gathers images from your computer, social media profiles, online photo-storage accounts, and even your smartphone. In our testing, it offered the best book-building experience of the bunch, as well as some of the best themed layouts. Our finished album looked vibrant, with accurate colors, and had a high-quality feel.

If you just need a basic photo book, VistaPrint can get the job done at a cost significantly lower than our top pick. It offers some of the best album-creation software we tested, including a Smart Assistant option that made album design a snap. Although the cover photo wasn’t as color accurate as that of our top pick, the photos inside were almost indistinguishable, as was the paper quality.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: mixbook, budget pick: vistaprint, tips for making your best photo book, the competition, frequently asked questions.

To discover which features are important in a photo book service, we’ve researched more than 50 companies and created 23 albums since the first iteration of this guide. We’ve compiled a mixture of images from high-resolution DSLR cameras and iPhones, selecting specific examples for both color and resolution testing, and used them to directly compare the image quality of different albums.

When updating this guide, we’ve consulted several experts, including Taylor McAtee, printing expert and owner of Stretch and Staple , a print shop in Seattle. We also crowdsourced input from friends who enjoy making albums with their family photos.

If you want to create an album of your digital photos, a photo book service is absolutely the way to go. Today’s digital photo books look much sleeker and more elegant than the scrapbooks of old. They’re also much easier to replace if an original gets damaged.

Digital photo books can be customized to fit any purpose, such as for a baby book, a family trip album, or even a school yearbook. They also make great gifts for grandparents and family. And if you’re a photographer, photo books are a wonderful way to curate your work in something that can be reproduced for distribution.

If you want to make a fancier book to document a special event, such as a wedding, consider upgrading to a layflat book, which has a unique type of binding that allows two-page spreads to lie completely flat, with no crease in the middle. You could also consider choosing a more luxurious cover, such as leather or crushed silk, to match the occasion.

If you have a collection of vintage photo albums or boxes of family photos sitting around, you might want to scan those photos and upgrade to a digital photo book.

In researching online photo book services, we looked for those that allow you to create a customizable book with captions and multiple photos on one page. We eliminated services that don’t let you at least arrange and reorder photos. And, on the flipside, we dismissed any that looked too technical or complex for people with no design experience.

Many photo-printing services offer frequent, deep discounts and promotions throughout the year, so it can be difficult to make an accurate pricing comparison—but holidays and annual shopping events are a great time to finally click the albums you have waiting in your cart. Otherwise, we can’t say for sure whether one service will be cheaper than another at any given time, so we prioritized services that offered basic, 20-page, approximately 8-by-11-inch books for under $50.

In general, these are the key features we considered:

• Customization options: The best photo book services strike a fine balance between offering a creative, diverse range of editing options and overwhelming people with a dizzying range. The service should work for photo junkies and for people who just want to quickly make a wedding album.
• Intuitive photo book software: The editing tools should be easy to grasp, even at an amateur level. Ideally, they should include all of the basics, such as a black-and-white filter, shadows, brightness, contrast, and saturation, plus the ability to rotate, resize, and reorder images.
• Elegant, ready-made layouts: You should be able to choose from a wide range of photo layouts that can suit any number of photos in a variety of orientations. You should never feel the need to create your own design.
• Flexibility in design: For more-ambitious people, a good photo book service allows you to design a layout from scratch.
• Print quality that’s true to the source files: The photo book shouldn’t make your high-resolution photos look blurry, grainy, or oversaturated. It should capture the resolution and colors as accurately as possible, even if you mostly use photos from Instagram.
• Variety of cover and binding options: The cover is the first thing people see when they look at a photo book. We preferred services with a range of options that look nice and can withstand years of handling.
• High-quality paper choices: We looked for paper that is durable, of high quality, and resistant to tearing. Photo book services should offer a variety of paper types, such as gloss, semigloss, and pearlescent.
• Easy to reprint and revisit: Unlike traditional, scrapbook-like photo albums, digital photo books can be reproduced at any time. Therefore, the service you use should save your photos, layouts, and projects so you can return to print or edit them whenever you want.
• Flexible upload options: A good service should at least be able to receive photos from your computer, as well as from online platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
• Layflat spreads: These spreads allow you to depict one picture across two pages without the center crease of a traditional bound book. Though this sounds fancy, it’s a common offering from photo book services and a worthwhile upgrade in photography or wedding books. We didn’t make this option a requirement, but we gave extra points if a service offered it.

To test these services, we made 20-page photo books using DSLR shots taken by professional photographers, as well as iPhone snaps taken during my honeymoon trip to Tahiti. We specifically selected images that can be harder to print to see how each service performed when tasked with HDR (high dynamic range) images, tricky colors, black-and-white photos, and even dimly lit iPhone snapshots.

We laid out each book in the same order, using the service’s most basic, white template. We also used each service’s default font for captions, sticking with whichever typeface and size were assigned to the theme we chose. All of the companies allow you to change fonts, but that can be a hassle, and we decided the default font would look nice enough. For each book, we also used the default cover and paper options (which are the cheapest or second-cheapest available).

Over the years and several rounds of testing, we’ve asked printing expert Taylor McAtee to compare and contrast print and page quality. We’ve asked friends who enjoy making family photo albums to examine the photo books, and they’ve provided helpful, real-world observations, such as which paper finish might hold up best in the grubby hands of a 5-year-old.

Mixbook has easy-to-use and intuitive design software, vibrant and accurate colors, and modern layouts that make it our pick for the best photo book service for most people. It is one of the few services that offers a dedicated mobile app in case you prefer designing from your phone, and you can invite collaborators to help with or review a project before it goes to print.

Versatile image-uploading options makes it easy to find the photos you want. If most of your iPhone photos end up trapped inside your phone (like ours do), you’ll likely find that adding mobile images directly to Mixbook makes the design process much more efficient.

Using a QR code on your computer screen, Mixbook guides you in selecting and loading pictures from your phone. After you refresh your screen, voilà—your iPhone snaps are now available for you to add to your current project. You can also upload directly from a computer, your social media (Facebook and Instagram), and photo storage accounts (Google and SmugMug).

Its book-building software is the easiest to use. The Auto-Create option feels like magic: after you’ve uploaded your images, a single click of a button builds your book using “only the best images.” It’s an efficient way to get a solid first draft, and it’s easy to customize from that point.

Unlike some of its competitors, Mixbook offers a swap button to swiftly replace one image for another. You can quickly change layouts too: The software displays recommended layouts using your images and may be filtered by number of images per design.

It offers helpful tips to make sure you never feel lost. Mixbook’s guidance boxes were the most helpful resource of any service we tested. These pop-ups, which you can close as needed, provide tips as you start to build a book.

Its photo-editing tools are simple and efficient. These include the same basic options offered by most other services: brightness, saturation, contrast, and opacity. You can crop and zoom in and out of photos easily, though the free-rotation tool was tricky (to fix your horizon lines, you have to click and hold down the arrow in the circle).

Six filters can give your printed photos an Instagram feel; you can also play with shadows and borders or even make a heart-shaped image. Text was easy to insert, and Mixbook offers a plethora of font choices and controls.

Thoughtful little touches make a big difference. When you’re pulling from an available image library in Mixbook, you simply have to hover over a photo to make it bigger. We really liked this feature, since it can be tough to choose your next image based on a tiny thumbnail. (When we used other services, we sometimes had to add the actual photo just to determine if it was the one we’d meant to include in the first place.)

It offers more templates than the competition. Each well-designed template can be kept as is or modified.

Mixbook offers 138 “everyday” album templates, from the simple Minimal White design (which we chose) to birthday, wedding, and seasonal themes. Plus, the themed layouts show actual photo examples, a truly useful feature when envisioning what you’ll create.

Photo reproductions are vibrant and color-accurate. As in previous testing, our 20-page, 11-by-8.5-inch Mixbook photo book was one of the most vibrant among all of the books we created, and the colors most-closely matched those in our original photographs.

Mixbook did a good job of correcting a tricky photo of me about to board a helicopter for the first time: I’m a too-dark, shadowy subject in front of the sunny landing platform where a helicopter and pilot wait. Mixbook struck a better balance of the contrast, picking up more detail in my face while retaining the vibrant background colors.

We reached out to Mixbook to ask about its color-correction practices. CEO and co-founder Andrew Laffoon confirmed that Mixbook automatically applies “very minimal” autocorrection, and that the feature can’t be turned off.

Mixbook uses high-quality paper. Of the six books we created in our most recent round of testing, Mixbook’s simplest album option came with the second-thickest pages—akin to the pages of a coffee-table book. The pages felt durable enough to stand up to the grubby paws of a small child, and they had enough sheen that we also thought they could endure a small mess and be wiped clean.

Its pricing is on a par with that of competitors. Mixbook albums cost about as much as or slightly more than other comparable albums in this category. But it’s always worth seeking out a discount, since the service usually offers an active 50%-off coupon .

If you don’t see a coupon at checkout, you can always make the book and then wait to purchase it until you can get a discount. This is especially handy if you opt for upgrades, like layflat pages, which can nearly double the price of an album.

Mixbook doesn’t spam you with email ads. Unlike Snapfish , which took our order as an invitation to send promotional emails daily, Mixbook didn’t automatically inundate our inboxes with promos once we created an account. We actually had to go into account settings to sign up for Mixbook’s email offers (and you can unsubscribe just as easily).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Other photo book services offer more photo editing tools. We worked with Mixbook’s available brightness, saturation, and contrast sliders to boost a cloudy day photo. Though the results looked a bit better on screen, the printed version still appeared dark. Of course, you could use an external image-editing program, but we often found we needed to make another small tweak or two once we placed images on the page; editing that image elsewhere and then reimporting it to use in our design felt like a time-consuming chore. A more robust editing suite within Mixbook’s interface would mean we could make any necessary edits seamlessly while creating a photo book.

For a basic photo book at a lower price than our top pick, VistaPrint gets the job done, even if the cover photo was a little oversaturated and the design process wasn’t quite as smooth.

It lacks our top pick’s cute design templates. When you start creating your VistaPrint photo book, you can only select from seven size options, and it doesn’t have any design templates to start from. You can add some 1990s clip art or masks within the editor, but that’s not nearly as attractive or easy as selecting from one of the hundreds of templates Mixbook offers.

Adding photos is easy, yet limited. Unlike our top pick, VistaPrint only allows uploads from your computer and doesn’t allow for HEIC files, which is how iPhones and iPads save images by default.

You can change your device’s camera settings to shoot JPEG, and it’s not difficult to convert HEIC files to JPEG after the fact, but it is one more hurdle that can get in the way when you’re itching to start designing. You could opt to create a book via VistaPrint’s mobile site, which works fine with HEIC files, but that platform isn’t as easy to use as the desktop site.

Photo-editing tools are few, but print quality was nearly perfect. VistaPrint’s editor offers even fewer photo-editing tools than our top pick, and it doesn’t offer a way to fix an imperfect horizon line—a photographer’s pet peeve. By default, VistaPrint will “enhance” all photos automatically; a pop-up window bears this warning as you begin to create your photo book.

We left the auto-enhancement option on, and the results were as good as our top pick, with accurate color reproduction and impressive corrections on our tricky test images. Only the cover image appeared oversaturated, and VistaPrint had two tries at this, since the first copy arrived with a slight wrinkle in the corner of the cover.

Customer service is responsive, too. VistaPrint was responsive to our complaint; it requested images of the damage and then sent us a new copy for free. The new book arrived in just a few days. The cover was unwrinkled but still a bit oversaturated, which made skin tones appear too pink.

It’s a great book and good value. If you just need a simple book, perhaps at a price that makes multiple copies possible, VistaPrint is a solid option. The final result was a very close second to our top pick in terms of color accuracy and page quality, with just a few flaws noticed during the creation process and a not-quite color-accurate cover.

Printing expert Taylor McAtee said you should trust the experts at whichever photo book service you choose. “Just pick the photos you like,” McAtee said, explaining that because your home computer likely doesn’t have a color-calibrated monitor, the on-screen edits you make could look much different when printed.

He also offered two additional tips for selecting photos for a printed book: Avoid washed-out, intentionally very bright (aka high-key) images, which often don’t look as good in print as they might on a glowing digital screen. And don’t apply Instagram filters or use other editing apps that may compress your iPhone files, since doing so can result in a low-resolution photo when it’s printed.

Snapfish was about the same price as our top pick but, as in past years, delivered a book with dull and muted photos and some of the thinnest pages we saw in testing. Snapfish also sent us the most promotional emails following our order—at an annoying pace of about one every other day.

The photo book we built with Pikto looked a lot like the results from our budget pick, VistaPrint, but the service cost a bit more, and its software was clunkier, with no swap button. It was also difficult to connect with its customer service: No one ever answered our calls during business hours, no chat help was available, and the back-and-forth email assistance we did receive was slow.

Walmart Photo is a past budget pick, but the album we created this year wasn’t as good as in previous years. The cover image was oversaturated, making skin tones appear pink and not true to life. Color accuracy was also off throughout the thin pages, appearing dull compared with the competition.

Though Shutterfly was previously a top pick, the last time we physically tested the service, its image quality was a letdown. We took a fresh look for this update but found for its price, about $10 more than our top pick, other photo book services offer better editing tools.

Though we love the minimalist look of Artifact Uprising ’s designs, the books we ordered were both oversaturated. We tested the Hardcover Photo Book and the Photo-Wrapped Hardcover Book, the two most-expensive options we tested. In each book our photos were oversaturated, but especially so for the Photo-Wrapped Hardcover Book. This made my skin look especially reddish-pink in many photos, as though I had a significant sunburn throughout my trip (I didn’t). While turning up the vibrancy can make an image really pop, the downside can be inaccurate skin tones.

Google Photo’s photo books are the path of least resistance for people who already use Google Photos. Although it’s a fast and brainless solution, the automated process allows for little control or creativity. Photos are autofilled in chronological order, and it’s a hassle to move images around if you’d like a different format. If all of your photos aren’t already stored with Google, that adds another step in the process. Layout and design options are limited, and it doesn’t have image-editing tools.

We also checked out Amazon Photos . As with the Google option, creation is a breeze as long as you’re already using it to store your photos. The online software allows for slightly more control over image placement, but it doesn’t have image-editing tools or enough design options overall.

Apple also allows you to create a photo book right from Photos, using the Motif app. But just like the Google Photo and Amazon Photo, this option is very specific to the platform, and you have very little control over design or photo editing.

We made two books with Blurb —one with its web-based software, Bookify, and another with its downloadable software, BookWright.

We were disappointed with the options available in Bookify; it had very few layouts, and they had too much white space for our liking. We also experienced major glitches with captions.

BookWright, meanwhile, offers a huge range of design options, including layouts and fonts, with very little glitching. It reminded us a great deal of Photoshop or InDesign, so if you’ve used those programs before, you may be familiar with the added controls. We also liked that Blurb allows you to upload a PDF to create your book, and that it offers plug-ins for Adobe InDesign and Lightroom. BookWright could be a good choice for amateur photographers or anyone looking to print a series of books.

Nations Photo Lab , our pick for the best online photo printing service , continues to disappoint us with photo book software that offers almost no photo editing and only basic layouts, at a more expensive price than our top pick.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.

Where can I get a same-day photo book?

Our previous budget pick, Walmart Photo , offers same-day pickup. And the site, which has some of the best photo-editing tools available, makes designing and customizing an album easy. Other services, like CVS and Walgreens , offer same-day pickup, but we haven’t tested them.

Which photo book services offer apps?

Several photo book services have a mobile app. Our top pick, Mixbook , has an app for iPhone owners . Though our budget pick, VistaPrint, doesn’t offer a dedicated app, the mobile version of the website is okay.

Which service has the best-quality photo books?

Among the 17 books we tested, Mixbook had some of the most vibrant color pages, and the colors most closely matched the colors in our original photographs. Mixbook also had more user-friendly software than most of the other services we looked at.

Meet your guide

Erin Roberts

Erin Roberts is a freelance writer reporting on cameras and camera accessories at Wirecutter. She started her career as a photojournalist working in newspapers—shooting film—and was the mobile-imaging editor at DPReview. She is also a professional photographer who has made her living photographing everything from rock stars to humpback whales.

Further reading

The Best Instant Camera

by Arriana Vasquez and Erin Roberts

The best instant camera for taking high-quality, retro-cool photos is the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 .

The 16 Best Tech Gifts for Any Gadget Lover

by Samantha Schoech

Looking for gifts for a tech-obsessed loved one? We have Wirecutter-tested picks, including headphones, speakers, camera tripods, and more.

The Best Online Photo Printing Service

by Phil Ryan

We’ve tested dozens of online photo printing services, and we’ve consistently found that Nations Photo Lab is the best place to get prints.

The 19 Best Gifts for Photographers

by Arriana Vasquez and Phil Ryan

Photographers can be picky about gear—which is why selecting a gift for a shutterbug can be a sticky wicket. Here are stellar finds endorsed by our staff photographers and reporting experts.

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Essential Books: 7 Monographs on Pathbreaking Photographers

By The ARTnews Recommends Editors

The ARTnews Recommends Editors

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.

Sometime in 1826 or 1827, the first known photograph was taken, by the French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce on his estate in Burgundy. The image, of a rooftop seen from an adjacent window, was barley legible, yet it marked a turning point—between the world before photography and the one after—as profound as any in human history. Two centuries later, life as we know it would be inconceivable without photography (and its derivatives, film and television). The technology evolved rapidly with the development of faster film stocks and lighter cameras. In short order, photography went from a curiosity to a means of formal studio portraiture, and later, from a way of retaining family memories to a staple of social media. Somewhere along the line, photography also became a fine art medium. Our selection of best photography books offers a look at remarkable achievements along the way. (Prices and availability current at time of publication.)

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1. Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph It’s been said that Diane Arbus was the closest thing America had to Franz Kafka, and indeed, the two shared the same sense of black humor and anxious view of the world as a place haunted by subterranean (and not so subterranean) horrors. For Arbus, this meant populating her photos with “freaks,” as she described them—which, just as often as not, meant rendering ordinary people as freakish. Still, she culled her more famous subjects from society’s margins: Giants, dwarfs, drag queens, sideshow attractions, people with Down syndrome. Susan Sontag condemned Arbus’s work as cruel voyeurism, but she became hugely influential, and without Arbus, there would’ve been no Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, or Larry Clark. This monograph introduced her work to the public when it was originally published, in 1972, and caused a sensation. Featuring 80 images, the book recalls an artist who changed the rules on what could be photographed. Purchase: Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph from $33.99 (used) on Amazon

2. William Eggleston, Los Alamos During the last quarter of the 20th century, fine-art photography entered a new era with the introduction of color. William Eggleston was one of the agents of that change. While color films like Kodachrome had been introduced in the 1930s, they were meant for everyday use, not high cultural expression, which was reserved strictly for black and white. But where people saw snapshots, Eggleston saw aesthetic potential, which found its apotheosis in his most famous portfolio, Los Alamos . Created between 1965 and 1974, it documents Eggleston’s road trips through the American South and West, capturing a democratic vision of the country through a product intended for ordinary consumers. Yet the book is hardly a celebration: Named for the birthplace of the atomic bomb and published during the run-up to the 1976 presidential election (the first after Watergate), Los Alamos crackles with the tensions of a nation grappling with the aftermath of Vietnam. Purchase: Los Alamos $149.95 (used) on Amazon

3. John Maloof, Vivian Maier: A Photographer Found The posthumous discovery of Vivian Maier’s photographic work is one of the most extraordinary finds in recent memory. Beginning in 1956, Maier spent 40 years as a nanny working in Chicago’s affluent North Shore, all the while taking more than 150,000 photographs in total. Her images of people and buildings were shot mostly in Chicago, but also in New York and Los Angeles, and were the equal of any done by the masters of mid-century street photography. Two years before her death in 2009, she fell behind on the rent of a storage locker where she kept her prints and negatives, and the contents—her entire oeuvre—were auctioned off. Several collectors bought her works, most notably John Maloof, the author or this book, which presents a comprehensive survey of her efforts through stunning reproductions. Maier’s rescue from obscurity, while a definite triumph, is also another instance of dumb luck rewriting art history. Purchase: Vivian Maier: A Photographer Found $39.99 (new) on Amazon

4. Larry J. Schaaf, Sun Gardens: Cyanotypes by Anna Atkins While it’s unclear whether Anna Atkins (1799–1871) was the first woman photographer, she did publish the first-ever book of photographic images. Its title— Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions —reflects Atkins’s vocation as a botanist, and her medium of choice, a method by which objects laid on photosensitized paper created blue negatives that resembled Xrays when exposed to light. Though she acknowledged the ghostly allure of the results, Atkins’s aims were empirical. She emerged from the same sort of upper-class Victorian milieu that produced Charles Darwin: Her father was a scientist, and she was friends with Henry Fox Talbot, the codeveloper of photography, and George Herschel, a polymath who invented the cyanotype process, which he taught to her. This volume expands upon Atkins’s original monograph, with images made in the years after its publication. Atkins’s work represents the first time science and photography combined to create art, but it wouldn’t be the last. Purchase: Sun Gardens $399.95 (used) on Amazon

5. Peter Galassi, Roy DeCarava: A Retrospective This catalog for MoMA’s 1996 retrospective of Roy DeCarava charts the career of an African American artist, born to a single mother in Harlem, who became one of the country’s greatest photographers at mid century. DeCarava came to his craft as a painter and printmaker who used a camera as an aid to his work before realizing that he preferred it as his principal tool. This graphic background stamped his images with a crisp elegance that spoke to his ambitions: Though Harlem and its inhabitants became his subjects, his interests weren’t primarily sociological. Instead, his wanted to capture the poetic resonances of African American life through portraits of musicians such as Billie Holiday and Miles Davis, and more obliquely via streets scenes and interiors given powerful formal presence through a masterful exploitation of lights and darks. In DeCarava’s hands, the tension between sun and shadow becomes a metaphor for being black in white America. Purchase: Roy DeCarava: A Retrospective $596.02 (new) on Amazon

6. Bernd and Hilla Becher, Typologies of Industrial Buildings German photographers are often distinguished by a stringent realism that sublimates the flourishes of style to a rationalistic relationship between camera and subject. August Sander and Karl Blossfeldt represent exhibits A and B in this regard, but few artists have epitomized this aesthetic more than the husband-and-wife team of Bernd and Hilla Becher. Typologies of Industrial Buildings is a case in point: It features an encyclopedic compilation of tightly cropped black-and-white images of the eponymous structures in various iterations arranged in grids. The Bechers shot each of these buildings, located in Germany’s old factory region in the Ruhr Valley, in isolation during overcast mornings in spring and summer to avoid shadows, and backgrounds were largely elided. The buildings, mostly abandoned, are grouped by function—water towers, grain elevators, steel mills, blast furnaces, and more—leaving the viewer to contemplate these archaeological relics of the Industrial Revolution as pure form. Purchase: Typologies of Industrial Buildings from $57.92 (new) on Abebooks.com

7. Brassaï, The Secret Paris of the 30’s While we associate the word demimonde with any non-mainstream milieu, the term was originally French for “a class of women on the fringes of respectable society supported by wealthy lovers” (per Webster)—or more bluntly, the world of prostitution. This is the realm of The Secret Paris of the 30’s , which features photos Brassaï kept from view because he thought them too shocking for public consumption. Born Gyula Halász in Brassó, Hungary (hence his pseudonym), Brassaï came to Paris in 1924 and became known for night scenes illuminated by the penumbra of streetlamps or the dim lighting of bars, images often inhabited by young couples in various throes of love. In Secret Paris , passion is portrayed as transactional in exchanges between sex workers and their clients, and as deeply closeted in glimpses of Paris’s LGBTQ underground. Though not as explosive as it was in Brassaï’s time, Secret Paris retains its power to provoke. Purchase: The Secret Paris of the 30’s  from $125.00 (new) on Amazon

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65 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

Reading books will always be the best way to increase your knowledge. Here's a list of the best photography books for beginners - some of them are free.

Learn | By Ana Mireles

This list of the best photography books for beginners will help you learn and improve your skills.

They’re also a great way to complement your studies if you attend a photo school .

Often young photographers don’t consider photography books because there are so many resources online.

However, there’s still great value in them.

Some of the most famous and talented photographers shared their knowledge and work in these books.

It’s not uncommon to find more of their images in a book than whatever they share online.

Easy to understand book for beginners to learn how to take better photos in less time.

Also, they often dig deeper into the theory and concepts in a book than they do in a video tutorial. This doesn’t mean that online resources aren’t helpful.

They cover different aspects of learning, and they teach you in different ways. They complement each other.

If you’ve ever thought – how can I teach myself photography? Then the books in this list can be beneficial.

Some of these photography books are scholarly, and others have a more lively style or a Q&A format. We all learn in different ways, so you can look for something that better fits you.

I also included books covering many aspects of learning photography, from camera basics to retouching to forming a business.

If you want to start your photography journey but don’t know where to begin, you’re in the right place.

Table of Contents

What Should a Beginner Photographer Learn?

Credit: MD Iftekhar Uddin Emon

Every teacher has their method, and every student has different needs. However, there are some things that every beginner photographer should learn.

You need to know how to use your camera. This way, you’ll learn to measure the light and control all the settings. Getting the correct exposure is just the first step. Then, you’ll learn how to use those settings to achieve your desired results.

You’ll also need to learn about light. Remember that the camera uses light to create your images. So, you need to understand how it works. Then, learn how to control and modify it.

It’s also essential to learn how to process your images. In digital photography, this is done with editing software. In film photography, it’s done in the darkroom.

Either way, it’s an integral part of the process, and you must learn how to do it.

Lastly, I recommend that you learn how to communicate with your images. This involves finding a photographic genre that interests you, developing a creative style, and executing it.

You can learn all these aspects through photography books. I tried to include options targeting all these steps in this list.

If you plan to make a living from photography, you must also learn how to create and grow your business. You’ll find a few books on this topic here on the list as well.

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• Related: What is the best coffee table book on photography?

15 Best Free Books for Beginners in 2024

You don’t need to start your photography training by spending lots of money. There are many free resources online that can get you started.

Here, I made a list of the best 15 free books for beginners, but you should check out Shotkit’s comprehensive collection of free photography books .

1. 8 Types of Natural Light That Will Add Drama To Your Photographs

Anne McKinnell 

Most photographers start by capturing images using natural light. This free e-book helps you to take great photos using different types of natural light. Anne McKinnell discusses how to shoot at different times of the day, with different light quality and directionality.

2. 20 Ways to Make Better Photographs Without Buying Any More Gear

Craft Vision

This is a 50-page photo book that tells you about 20 steps you can take to improve your images. The primary purpose is to help you focus and offer a clear direction to your photography education.

It’s not about buying new gear – it’s about applying yourself.

3. A Photographer’s E-Guide to Making Sharp Photographs

Scott Bourne – Animoto.com & Viewbug.com

Many photographers struggle to capture sharp images . One of the issues why this is so difficult is the multiple things that could cause this problem f from low light to improper focus.

This 20-pages photography book covers all the possible reasons why your images aren’t sharp enough. It tells you how to prevent this from happening again and possible solutions for the images you already have.

4. Before The Shutter: Planning Your Next Travel Photography Adventure

Anne McKinnell

A successful photograph is the result of hard work and good planning. To capture images that inspire, you need to do the legwork. In this free e-book, Anne McKinnell shows you the process of creating professional-looking photos, starting way before the shot and finishing long after.

5. Exposure: Understanding Light

Nigel Hicks

This book accompanies a 4-week online photo course. You can download the pdf for free even if you’re not enrolled in the course.

Since it contains only the course notes, it doesn’t go very deep but explains some key concepts like color temperature. You can consider taking the course if you find it interesting and like Nigel Hicks writing.

6. Good Photos in Bad Light

Darwin Wiggett

Darwinn Wiggett is a talented landscape photographer. In this photography book, he shares real-life examples of bad weather conditions and how to make the most of them.

7. Insights from Beyond the Lens. Inside the Art and Craft of Landscape Photography

Robert Rodriguez Jr

In this book, Robert Rodriguez Jr shares an insight into his personal approach to landscape photography . The content is based on his Beyond the Lens blog.

While he shares the behind-the-scenes of his images, he also encourages the reader to focus on their motivation, passion, and vision.

8. Introduction to Photography

Carleton University

In this book, you’ll find all the photography basics you need to start shooting. While it doesn’t explore each topic in depth, it goes through many technical aspects, from camera settings to composition.

9. Lighting 101

David Hobby

David Hobby gives invaluable tips for using artificial light in this book. From the basic gear to the technical aspects of using flash as your only light or balancing it with environmental light.

10. Lighting Essentials

This photography book helps you to give the first steps in the vast world of lighting for photography and video. It covers natural light, flashes, and continuous lighting. If you enjoy the style, there are many other online resources at the UNSW.

11. My Five Easy Steps to Shoot in Manual

Kimberly Gauthier

This photography book gives you useful tips for getting off the automatic and shooting in manual mode. Keep in mind that this is the first step to taking control and making the images you want to do.

12. Photography for Beginners

Joseph Scolden

This e-book is dedicated to digital photography with DSLR cameras. Some chapters are helpful for other types of cameras , such as the ones dedicated to exposure. However, there’s much about the best cameras and lenses, which is applicable only if you’re a DSLR photographer.

13. Photoshop. 20 Photo editing techniques

Edward Bailey

Digital photographers need to learn about editing. Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for photo editing and retouching. This is one of the best photography books for beginners. You’ll find for free to take your first steps into the subject.

14. Studio Lighting Workbook

Melanie Heinrich

In this photography book, Melanie Heinrich shares all the basics you need to work in the studio.

First, she introduces studio lighting , props, backgrounds, etc. Then, she dedicates a chapter to a different type of photography so you can learn about portraits, still life, and product photography .

15. Ultimate Field Guide to Photography

National Geographic

As you know, National Geographic photographers are famous in the photography industry for creating stunning images of nature, wildlife, and travel. This free photography book will give you useful tips about gear, composition, and technique.

50 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

Even experienced photographers use books to find inspiration, stay updated, or learn new photography skills. This is even more important for beginners.

While free photography books are a great way to start, sometimes it is necessary for new photographers to invest in their education.

That’s why I’ve made this list of the best photography books for beginners, so you know which ones would give you the best value for your money.

Remember that using paid books doesn’t necessarily mean you must spend a lot of money. You can look in public or university libraries to see if you can loan them. Also, consider buying them second-hand if you don’t have a big budget.

16. Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016 

Annie Leibovitz – Phaidon

To become a good photographer, you need more than photography techniques . That’s why studying the work of world-famous world famous photographers .

Annie Leibovitz is one of the best portrait photographers. If you’re interested in this photographic genre as an art form, this is one of the best books you can get.

Here you can see how her work developed over the years. You’ll find some of her most famous and never before published images in this collection.

17. Ansel Adams (The series)

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams is one of the most famous landscape photographers in history. He also developed the zone system and studied the black-and-white photography technique to perfection.

If you’re interested in film photography, Ansel Adams’s trilogy of books is a must-read. Composed of The Camera, The Negative, and The Print, you’ll get all the technical knowledge to achieve incredible images.

If you prefer digital photography, you can still learn from his great images how to approach landscape as fine art photography .

18. Best Business Practices for Photographers. Third Edition

John Harrington – Rocky Nook

This is one of the best photography books for beginners who want to make a living out of this craft. You won’t find any advice on how to take great photos.

Instead, it’s all about pricing, negotiating with clients, getting insurance, and everything you need to make a career in photography.

John Harrington is aware that it’s not only the cameras and technique that evolve, but the photography business is constantly changing too. That’s why he did this reviewed and updated version of his book Best Business Practices.

19. BetterPhoto Basics 

Jim Miotke – Amphoto

Even if it was published in 2010, this is still one of the best photography books for beginners. Here you can find all the tools to learn photography.

You’ll also find many photo assignments to put theory into practice and start taking great photographs.

Beyond the basic tools, it also teaches you some creative, more advanced techniques, such as capturing fireworks, using HDR, etc.

20. Black and White Photography. A Basic Manual

Henry Horenstein – Little, Brown and Company

Henry Horenstein is a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. Thanks to his teaching experience, he gives clear explanations and how-to guides in this book. In fact, it’s used as a manual in many schools and universities, including Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

21. Capture Your Style. Transform Your Instagram Photos, Showcase Your Life, and Build the Ultimate Platform

Aimee Song – Abrams

If you want to build your brand on Instagram, this photography book can be very helpful. Here, you can learn how to prop and style fashion and food photography . Also, how to edit your images and use them to ‘craft your voice and story’ on Instagram.

22. Complete Digital Photography, Ninth Edition

This book is perfect if you want to learn how to create stunning digital photography.

You’ll find the ninth revision currently on sale, so you can be sure that the information is updated. It includes everything from mastering your camera, lighting, post-processing, etc.

If you want to get a glance before you buy it, you can download the chapter on composition completely free on their website.

23. Dusk to Dawn. A Guide to Landscape Photography at Night

Glen Randall – Rocky Nook

In this great digital photography book, you’ll find everything you need to plan, shoot, and edit your night landscape images .

The book is also packed with great photographs with all the information on when, where, and how they were taken.

24. Exposure Solutions. The Most Common Photography Problems and How to Solve Them

Bryan Peterson – Amphoto Books

This is one of the best photography books for beginners who want to learn creative and complex exposures. In this book, you can learn everything from exposing high-contrast scenes to paint with shutter speed.

25. Extraordinary Everyday Photography. Awaken Your Vision to Capture Stunning Images

Brenda Tharp & Jed Manwaring – Amphoto Books

This book aims to help you stimulate your artistic expression in everyday situations. If you keep thinking that you can’t take great photographs because you can’t travel to an exotic location, this book is for you.

26. Guide to Digital Photography. Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros

Joe McNally – LIFE

Joe McNally was a LIFE magazine photo editor and photographer. In this book, he teaches beginner photographers how to make the best out of their digital cameras.

He also aims to show you that sometimes it is good to “outthink your camera or push your camera to go for the gold.”

27. Hashtag Authentic. Finding creativity and building a community on Instagram and beyond

Sara Tasker – Frances Lincoln

If you want to learn how to improve your smartphone photography and build a profitable Instagram account, you should check out this book.

You’ll learn how to shoot ad edit photographs for Instagram, find your storytelling voice, and grow your followers.

28. Henry Cartier Bresson

Clement Cheroux – Thames & Hudson

Henry Cartier Bresson is one of the most famous photographers in history. There’s much that you can learn from his images and method.

If you can afford it, go for The Decisive Moment – one of the most groundbreaking photography books you can find.

Since having this type of budget is difficult, look for Henry Cartier Bresson by Clement Cheroux. This will give you a nice introduction to his life and work.

29. How to Create Stunning Digital Photography – Tony Northrup’s DSLR Book

Tony Northrup – Mason Press

If you think photography books aren’t enough, you’ll love this one. Your purchase also gives you access to 20 hours of online video training and entrance to a private classroom-style Facebook group.

You’ll also get continuous updates of the book and video for free. This digital photography book covers beginner and advanced techniques and proposes exercises for practicing what you learned.

30. How to Photograph Food. Compose, Shoot & Edit Appetizing Images

Beata Lubas – Ilex Press

If you’re interested in photographing food, you’ll love this book. Beata Lubas explains in an easy and approachable everything you need to know. You’ll find information about gear, lighting, and post-processing your images like a pro.

31. Langford’s Basic Photography. The Guide for Serious Photographers

Michael Langford, Anna Fox, and Richard Sawdon Smith – Routledge

This book mixes scholarly and practical information that’s continuously updated to keep its place as one of the best photography books for beginners.

Here you’ll find everything you need to know for digital and film photography. It will take you from the preparation to the realization to the post-production – both digital or in the darkroom. You’ll also learn how to finish and present your work.

32. Learning to See. A Photographer’s Guide From Zero to Your First Paid Gigs

David Molnar – Harper Collins Publishing

This is one of the best photography books if you want to become a professional photographer . David Molnar helps you to identify your vision and execute it. Then, it explains how to create a photography business and start earning from your passion.

33. Light – Science & Magic. An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Steven Biver – Routledge Taylos & Francis Group

Light is the raw material you need to make photographs. As such, you need to understand how it works and how to use it. To do it, this is one of the best photography books you can find.

Light – Science & Magic is a must-have in every photographer’s library. The latest edition is updated with all the flash, fluorescent, and LED light advances.

34. Lighting for Digital Photography. From Snapshots to Great Shots

Syl Arena – Peachpit

If you’ve read your camera manual and you’ve learned all about how to use it, Syl Arena teaches you how to use light.

This book teaches you how to influence and modify light to help you translate your artistic expression in your photographs.

35. Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Exposure

Al Judge – CreateSpace

If you want to take control of your camera, this photo book will help you do it in just a few hours. Al Judge teaches you how to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to expose your photographs properly.

36. Mastering Film Photography: A Definitive Guide for Photographers

Chris Gatcum – Ammonite Press

If you’re interested in going ‘old school,’ this is one of the best photography books for beginners from the digital age.

It starts with a crash course about film photography and choosing your camera. Then, you’ll learn how to expose, use filters, use a flash without TTL, and more.

37. Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography. A Definitive Guide for Photographers

Richard Bradbury – Ammonite Press

This is another must-have of the photography books. Learning to use natural light and flash photography is key to achieving professional-looking images.

This book teaches you how to choose and create the right light. Then, it dedicates a chapter to different genres, from portrait photography to interiors to cars. It also includes lighting tips from commercial photographers.

38. Mastering Histograms

Histograms are an essential tool in digital photography, which every beginner photographer needs to know. This book teaches you about all the types of histograms, how they relate to Ansel Adams’ zone system, and how to use them to improve your images.

39. Mastering Portrait Photography

Paul Wilkinson & Sarah Plater – Ammonite Press

If you’re interested in doing portraits that communicate with the viewer and say something about the subject, you need this book.

The authors explain everything you need to know, from choosing the equipment, the lighting, and the posing for a dynamic and exciting portrait.

40. National Geographic Image Collection 

In the book The National Geographic Image Collection, you’ll find the most famous examples of nature, wildlife, and travel photography.

Starting with the first images collected in the 19th century, you’ll journey all the way to the current days with a behind the scene profile of the collection.

41. Night Sky Photography. From First Principles to Professional Results

Adam Woodworth – Illex Press

From gear to post-production, this book tells you everything you need to know to do night sky photography . It’s not a book for all beginners, but if you’re a beginner landscape photographer looking to shoot at night, this book may interest you.

42. On… Composition. The Ultimate Photography Masterclass

Michael Freeman – Illex Press

Michael Freeman is one of the most prolific and recognized authors of photo books. In this volume, he talks all about composition.

By the way, all the books from the series Michael Freeman On… are great for any beginner photographer.

43. Photo Basics. The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Great Photography

Joel Sartore & Heather Perry – National Geographic

The great thing about this book is that it’s useful for any photography enthusiast. It doesn’t matter what type of camera you have – you may even be taking photos with your phone. Still, this book will give you valuable tips from framing to archiving your images.

44. Photography Demystified. Your Guide to Gaining Creative Control and Taking Amazing Photographs

David McKay – McKay Photography Inc

This book aims to take you out of auto mode to take the photos you want. If you’ve ever seen your pictures and felt disappointed because they look nothing like they did in your mind, then this is the perfect book for you.

45. Photography Rules. Essential Dos and Don’ts from Great Photographers

Paul Lowe – Frances Lincoln

If you don’t like the scholarly approach of reading a photography book from cover to cover, this is the one for you. You can read a rule per day in random order or devour the book in a day – your choice.

Whichever way you choose, you’ll find it helpful and inspirational, with tips and tricks covering all photography aspects.

46. Photography Q&A. Real Questions, Real Answers

Zack Arias – Peachpit

Zack Arias chose over 100 hundred questions received from the public and answered them clearly and honestly in this photography book.

The topics range from photographic practice to career advice. This book is easy to read and full of helpful and practical information.

47. Picture Perfect Practice

Roberto Valenzuela – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books you can get if you believe – like the author – that the best way to learn photography is by doing it.

Here, you’ll find a series of challenges and how to solve them. The book is divided into location, posing, and execution. Each contains chapters that will help you handle everyday situations and make the best of them.

48. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs

Henry Carroll – Laurence King Publishing

If you don’t like technical and scholarly photography books, you’ll love this one. Instead of using complicated terms or graphs, it uses “iconic images and playful copy.” This way, you can learn with an easy and hands-on approach.

49. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs of People / Places

In the same style as Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs, you can continue with the series to specialize in your preferred genre. Whether you like photographing people or places, these photo books will help you improve your images.

50. Shooting film

Ben Hawkins & Liza Kanaeva – Hunsicker – Illex Press

Not all photography books about shooting film are old – this one was released last year. Thanks to this, you’ll find an updated guide to buying second-hand cameras and images from a new wave of film photographers to inspire you.

You’ll also learn beginner and advanced shooting techniques and analog processes.

51. Shooting in Sh*tty Light. The Top Ten Worst Photography Lighting Situations and How to Conquer Them

Lindsay Adler & Erik Valind – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it deals with everyone’s worst fear – sh*tty lighting.

You’ll often find yourself doing a photo shoot in less-than-ideal situations – what can you do? Well, that’s the answer that you’ll find in this book. The authors present you with the ten worst situations and help you to overcome them.

52. Sketching Light. An Illustrated Tour of the Possibilities of Flash

Joe McNally – New Riders Publisher

If you’re a beginner photographer starting to use artificial light, this is one of the best photography guides. Joe McNally explains how to use, shape, and modify flash lighting. It covers everything from the Nikon Speedlights to big flashes.

53. Studio Anywhere. A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations

Nick Fancher – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it’s dedicated to people with minimal equipment and shooting in a garage or some other unconventional location.

Here, the author talks about how to make the most out of what you have so you can make portfolio-ready images.

54. The Art of Photography. An approach to Personal Expression

Bruce Barnbaum – Rocky Nook

While this book does cover some technical aspects, it aims to go beyond. Bruce Barnbaum goes into the philosophical and creative part of photography as one of the visual arts. It helps you to find a personal approach to the medium.

The second edition is updated and revised, but if your budget is limited, you can buy find the original version, which is one of the most famous photo books on the subject.

55. The Digital Darkroom For Photoshop & Affinity Photo. The Definitive Guide to Photo Editing

James Abbott – Illex Press

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo are two of the most popular editing programs in the business. This book teaches you the essentials with step-by-step tutorials. It also explains the tools and how to make the best of raw images.

56. The Film Photography Handbook

Chris Marquardt & Monika Andrae – Rocky Nook

Whether you used to shoot film and want to pick it up again, or you’ve never done it before, this book is the perfect resource.

With a revised third edition just released as an e-book and soon to be released in print, you’ll have the most updated information to start shooting film.

57. The Flash Book: How to Fall Hopelessly in Love with Your Flash and Finally Start Taking the Types of Images you Bought it for in the First Place

Scott Kelby – Rocky Nook

I think this book’s subtitle says it all. Most photographers own a flash, even a basic one. However, very few of them know how to make the best of it.

In general, it’s used as a last resource for low-light situations. This book can help you to fall in love with your flash.

58. The Moment It Clicks

Joe McNally – Peachpit

This photo book is as beautiful as it is helpful. Here you can learn from Joe McNally’s experiences while enjoying quality reproductions of his images.

Each teaching has a concept or a technique you’ll learn, followed by an image that exemplifies it, and ends with a behind-the-scenes story on how he got the photo.

59. The Photographer’s Eye Remastered. Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos

Michael Freeman – Ilex Press

The Photographer’s Eye Remastered is the revised version of the classic book by the same name released to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

In the Photographer’s Eye, original and remastered, Michael Freeman teaches you to see the graphic elements in the pictures and how to compose them for the best results.

60. The Photographer’s Guide to Drones

Colin Smith – Rocky Nook

Aerial photography has never been as accessible as it’s now with the commercialization of drones. If you’re a beginner photographer looking to do drone photography , this is one of the best books you can get.

Whichever drone you have, you can use this book to learn about safety and regulations, how to shoot videos and photos, composition rules, and more.

61. The Photographer’s Guide to Posing. Techniques to Flatter Everyone

Lindsay Adler – Rocky Nook

If you’re a beginner portrait photographer, I don’t need to tell you how hard it is to pose your models. In this book, Lindsay Adler put together a guide to help in any situation.

First, she discusses the many things that impact how the person looks in a photo – from focal length to camera angle. Then, she moves on to some posing essentials.

Lastly, she gives you some go-to poses for specific subjects, from single to couples to groups.

62. The Photography Storytelling Workshop. A Five-step Guide to Creating Unforgettable Photographs

Finn Beales – White Lion Publishing

This is one of those photography books that help you find your own vision. Beyond the photographic technique, learning how to make photos that communicate and move the viewer is important. This is what the 5-step course of Finn Beales aims to teach you.

63. The Street Photographer’s Manual

David Gibson & Matt Stuart – Thames & Hudson

If you’re into street photography , this is one of the best photography books you can get. Here you’ll find some of the best photographers in history and their work to inspire you.

You’ll also learn some practical techniques for street photography, such as “how to shoot a face in a crowd.”

64. The Visual Toolbox. 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs

David duChemin – Peachpit

This book is a compilation of 60 lessons which include a concept and an assignment on each one. The idea is not just that you learn to use your camera but that you improve the photographs that you take with it.

If you’ve already learned all the basics but feel that it didn’t make you a better photographer, check out this book.

65. Understanding Exposure. How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

Bryan Peterson – Amphoto

This book explains everything you need to know about exposure and light. It also covers filters and flash for more advanced photographers.

This is the latest revised version, so you can be sure that all the information is current. If you want to read an excerpt before buying, visit the Penguin Random House website.

Can I learn photography on my own?

Absolutely. Many famous or successful professionals are self-taught photographers. This doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from others. You can use many resources, such as books, video tutorials, and podcasts. Of course, there’s great value in attending a photo school.

Are books a good way to learn photography?

Yes, books are a great way to learn. This doesn’t mean that it’s the only way, though. You can complement your reading with online tutorials or by attending workshops. Please remember that any resources you use need to be put into practice. The best way to learn is by doing.

Is it worth buying photography books?

Yes, books are always an excellent investment. Free books are a good starting point, but they don’t usually cover advanced techniques or go deep into them. If you can afford them, get some paid books. If you don’t have the budget or the space to keep them, look for them at your library.

Which books are the best to start learning photography?

The best photography book might be different for each person. It depends on your interest, your current level, and the way you learn. I recommend you start with a book that teaches general techniques, from exposure to composition. Then, move on to a book that talks about light. Once you have these technical aspects nailed, find books that help you to find your creative style and develop your vision.

Final Words

As you can see from the wide variety of books, there’s much more to photography than just learning how to use your camera.

This is especially so if you plan to build a business with your photography . Fortunately, many established and famous photographers have shared their experience and knowledge in these books.

Check out this guide if you want to find more free resources to grow as a photographer. The Shotkit team makes sure that it’s constantly updated, so keep coming back to it to see the newest releases.

I hope this list of the best photography books for beginners is helpful. If we missed one you love, let us know in the comments.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

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Best Photo Books for 2024

Make memories even more special by using one of these photo book services to make professional-looking photo albums.

Our Experts

• She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Photos are one of the many things that now live almost strictly in digital form, and that adds to the special feeling of having a physical photo album filled with your favorite pictures. Photo book services now make beautiful book-like albums that save images forever, unlike if your storage fills up. They also make great gifts for any occasion.

There are many services available online that can help you craft the perfect photo book, customizable and delivered directly to you. I researched and tested a few of the best photo-book services to find out what each’s strengths and weaknesses are. Note that I haven't actually ordered any books I created yet, so I can't compare the quality of the final products.

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• Free designer service
• Many templates to choose from
• Photos must be JPEGs

Best overall service

Shutterfly's easy-to-navigate site can help you assemble your perfect custom photo book with over a dozen occasion templates and book sizes to choose from. It offers tutorials and ideas to help you create your book if you want to start entirely from scratch. 

To use Shutterfly, you can browse and select a template and upload your photos into the preselected slots. You can add text, design elements and other customizations to your book. You can also use Shutterfly's free 24-hour designer service. This service helps take some of the legwork out of the creation process. You can upload anywhere from 50 to 800 photos, and Shutterfly experts will select the best images so your book isn't repetitive or blurry. You can advise how the expert selects which photos to use, how images are sequenced and the amount of design elements or embellishments you'd like.

For the best results, upload and use print-quality photos from your computer or select from photos already uploaded to your Shutterfly, Facebook or Instagram accounts. Any photo you use has to be in JPEG format. 

How much it costs: Before shipping and tax, an 8-by-8-inch 20-page softcover photo book would cost about $25. Shutterfly frequently runs sales , so you can be on the lookout for promo codes to apply to your purchase to save some money. As you add or delete elements from your project, Shutterfly will tell you that the price of your project has changed.

• Many page and cover customization options
• Easy to use and navigate site
• Some work involved when switching templates

Easiest to use

Mixbook's minimalist layout makes it very easy to use. The site has dozens of fun photo book themes -- family, seasonal, wedding, travel, baby -- and more specific designs in each category, perfect for photo gifts. There's also the option to put a book together from scratch. Mixbook lets you upload print-quality photos from your computer or phone as well as from Facebook and Instagram, and ones you've already uploaded to the site. Mixbook offers a lot of customization options. You can choose from multiple page finishes and different cover option styles. If you want to get fancy, you can even add matte finishes, a hard cover or leather with a dust jacket.

I used Mixbook to organize my wedding photos and to make a photo book for my dad's birthday. It was easy to add and edit photos, text, extra pages and embellishments to the template I chose. You can swap themes at any time and the photos will transfer over, but from what I can tell, you have to change the pages manually. Both photo books I made turned out great and arrived in a timely fashion.

You can be as creative as you want and veer away from the template as you like -- or stick with the presets. As you build your book, you can click Preview to see how the final product will look. When you're satisfied with your book, click Order to finalize the photo book size, page and cover finish. 

How much it costs: Photo books can be ordered in landscape, portrait or square shape in 6-by-6-, 8.5-by-8.5-, 10-by-10- and 12-by-12-inch sizes. An 8.5-by-8.5-inch, 20-page softcover book with the regular semi-gloss page finish -- all the cheapest options -- will cost you around $21. Designing a larger book with more bells and whistles will raise the final price. However, like its competitors, Mixbook frequently runs promotions that can save you some serious cash.

• Home delivery, same-day pick up and site-to-store delivery
• Large variety of photo book sizes
• Fewer photo editing options
• No embellishment options

Best photo books on a budget

Walmart photo.

If you’re looking to make a photo book without breaking the bank, consider creating one through Walmart's website . You can customize your photo book's size, from 5-by-7 inches all the way up to 12-by-12 inches, as well as the cover type, binding and how fast you want it delivered. I tested out Walmart’s Classic Black album template since I already had the photos available. The book was available for home delivery, same-day pick up and site-to-store delivery. Along with sizes, Walmart’s templates have multiple options for covers, but depending on how you mix and match customization options, not every style is available for each configuration. 

Walmart lets you upload photos from your computer, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Dropbox and Google Photos, but the site will only hold onto the photos for one year. It was easy to drag and drop photos or swap layout pages in the template. After dropping a photo in, you can click it to make any adjustments. However, Walmart provides fewer photo-editing options -- a black-and-white or a sepia filter, the ability to crop, zoom and tilt; brightness adjustment and red-eye elimination -- compared to other websites. While building your book, you can swap templates at any time, but the photos you've placed won't transfer, and you'll need to place them into the new layout. One of the downsides to Walmart's photo books, though, was the lack of embellishments. The program lets you add text, but the ability to add "stickers" like those on other sites, would've taken the design process up a level. 

Once you're finished with your project, click Next to review your photo book in a storyboard format before you order. There's also an option to preview the entire book page by page if you want a more detailed review before ordering. You'll get an alert if you've left any slots blank.

How much it costs: Walmart's 8-by-11-inch, 20-page, hardcover glossy photo book costs about $29 before shipping and tax.

• Many customization options
• Helpful guidance during creation
• Cannot save photos to site to select from

Best photo books for fast checkout

If you're not keen on making an account and getting a slew of promotional emails, Mailpix might be the way to go. With this photo book company, you can make a photo book as a guest, no account needed. Mailpix offers premium ultra layflat, layflat, hardcover book and softcover photo book styles, ranging from 8-by-8- to 11-by-14-inch books. The site recommends designing the book on a computer and using JPEG files. You can pick out styles for almost every occasion -- birthday celebrations, Mother's and Father's day, holidays like Christmas, Halloween and Hanukkah and pet themes. 

Mailpix guides you through the process step by step, so you won't feel lost or overwhelmed. There’s a nice variety of page layouts to choose from, and you can choose how many pages are in the book and how many images are on each page. Mailpix provides guidance on image sizing for the highest quality outcome and warns you if a photo’s resolution is too low. There's also an autofill option that helps save time putting all your images in. As you're building your book, Mailpix puts a red line around the page indicating that a section might be cropped out during the photo book printing. 

Mailpix updates your price total as you go along, so you're not caught off-guard by the final price at checkout. When you're satisfied with your book, name it and choose how many copies you'd like to order. Select a cover style, add a photo if you'd like and check out.

How much it costs: An 8.5-by-11-inch hardcover book with a standard 20 pages came to $80 before tax and shipping -- ground shipping is $19, express shipping runs $20. On Mailpix, every additional page costs $1.20.

• Easy integration with photos already saved on Google Photos
• Can create photo book from smartphone app
• Not many premade templates/albums

Best if you're new to online photo books

Google photos.

If you use Google Photos , you can avoid uploading your photos into another app and create a hassle-free photo book on your phone with photo books from Google Photos . In the Google Photos app or on desktop, tap the shopping bag icon (on my Google Pixel 5 phone, it's at the top left of the screen). Tap Photo Books to get started, and you can choose from a few premade albums based on your photos, like Winter Vacation 2023 -- the premade albums can be edited as well. 

There's also the option to start from scratch and manually add all the photos by tapping Make Photo Book at the bottom of the screen. You can add up to 90 photos to your book. Once you've got all the images you want, you can add a title for your book, hold and drag to rearrange pages, and further edit by tapping on a page. 

Google Photos is probably the easiest and most basic choice if you're going to order a photo book. It offers a minimalist layout for photo books, with white pages and places for you to add captions to your photos. There aren't embellishments like there are on Mixbook, but you can still make creative layouts with multiple photos. Google Photos still has editing options in its app for you to add filters before creating a book. 

How much it costs : A hardcover 9-by-9-inch photo book costs $30 for 20 pages and 99 cents for each additional page. A softcover 7-by-7-inch photo book costs $15 for 20 pages and 49 cents for each additional page before shipping.

Other options we tested

Apple photos.

Apple no longer has an in-house photo book service , but you can download project expansion apps to create photo books with iOS devices . On your Mac, open the Photos app and choose File > Create > Book . From there, you’ll be directed to the App Store where you can download third-party apps Motif, Mimeo Photos, White Wall, Ifolor Designer, Mpix, Fujifilm Prints and Gifts or Wix Photo Albums to start a project. Any app you download will be available through Book when you create a new project in the Photos app.

Factors to consider before ordering a photo book

Cost is an important factor but hard to gauge between the sites. Depending on the type of book you want to create, embellishments, nicer paper and finishes with extra pages, are going to affect the price.

Book size is likely the first thing you’ll choose when designing a photo book. Depending on which site you use, you can create a photo book as small as 5-by-5 inches up to full coffee book table books.

Creative freedom and customization options are important to consider when choosing a site. If you have a specific vision in mind, you’ll want to choose a service that will let you add stickers, text and other embellishments. Or, if you want to take some of the artistic work out of the process, you’ll want to pick a site with templates available.

Logistics are also a big part of how easy or hard it is for you to use each service. For this list, we’ve considered how easy it is to upload photos, how you can navigate the website, what the average delivery time is after ordering and whether you can create the books through an app or on desktops only.

Photo book FAQs

What do i need to create a photo book.

For most services, all you will need to do is have your collection of photos ready to upload. We recommend creating a specific folder or album on your computer that contains all the photos you want to include to make uploading them to the service easier.

How far in advance do I need to order a holiday photo book?

The delivery time for your photo book will depend on the service you use. For the sites on this list, delivery could be anywhere between same-day and three weeks. During the holidays, plan for a little extra time in your ordering to ensure you get your photo book on time.

How much does it cost to create a custom photo book?

Photo books range in price, as they can be upgraded and customized for extra. The lowest price on this list, without all the bells and whistles, is around $15. If you want to add a hard cover, extra pages, embellishments or different binding materials, those will cost more.

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9 Best Custom Photo Book Makers to Preserve Your Memories

Print travel photos with Mixbook, and customize baby photos with Artifact Uprising.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our tech-savvy pros considered factors like expert input, past in-depth research, positive online reviews and consistently popular brands to find the best photo book makers on the market today.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Photo Book Maker

Shutterfly photo books.

Best Value Custom Photo Book Maker

Walmart photo custom photo books.

Most Aesthetic Photo Book Maker

Artifact uprising photo books.

Best Themed Photo Book Maker

Mixbook photo books.

Best Photo Book Maker for Beginners

Printique photo books.

Best Photo Book Maker for Young Kids

Pinhole press photo books.

Best Photo Book Maker for Google Photos Users

Google photo books.

Best Photo Book Maker for Amazon Prime Members

Amazon prints.

Best Photo Book Maker for Families

Chatbooks custom photo books & albums.

Though our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab are still testing photo book services for 2023, we previously tested the best wedding photo albums for every budget and style. We also test photo websites, photo-editing apps and photo-related products and score them based on ease of use, performance and features. You'll find more information on how we chose the best custom photo books at the end of this list, plus expert advice for what to keep in mind when shopping for the right photo book maker to fit your needs.

As holiday gift season begins, keep a photo book in mind for a meaningful personalized present . Regardless of the occasion, a custom photo book is the perfect sentimental gift for someone special, whether you need an affordable Valentine's gift , a family-orientated present for Grandma or a DIY Father's Day and/or Mother's Day gift that the kiddos can get involved with.

Shutterfly offers basic photo books at an affordable price. You can choose from a wide selection of themes, like birthday, travel or wedding, or neutral styles , such as modern or rustic. You can also create your own book and choose the book size, cover style and page style, then embellish it with Shutterfly's extensive library of stickers and ribbons to make your book extra special. We appreciate how easily users can edit within their chosen template and the brand's high-quality photo book paper, making Shutterfly a top pick.

You can also opt for one of its 6" x 6" Instant Books , which let you add photos from your phone, tablet or computer in minutes. These mini photo books have only 20 pages, but they're a great place to store goofy candids or Instagram posts you never want to forget. The possibilities are essentially limitless, though the vast array of options could be overwhelming for those starting out.

If you don't want the pressure of deciding on a layout, the brand offers a Make My Book option, in which Shutterfly's professional designers curate your photos and design the book for free. Plus, you'll still have the opportunity to put finishing touches on it before it gets printed. Whether you choose for 50 or 800 photos (the maximum), you'll receive an email notification within 24 hours that your book is complete.

Crunched for time? Design your photo book online and pick up select styles at a Walmart store near you in as little as one hour. Photo books picked up in one hour can have 15 single-sided pages and a linen cover, while same-day pickups (ready in a few hours) can have up to 20 double-sided pages and the option of a hardcover.

On top of the speedy turnaround, Walmart has a great selection of styles : You can choose everything from the photo size and layout to type of cover, including hardcover glossy or matte, linen, leather and lay-flat glossy or matte. If you need help narrowing down the choices, there's also the option to shop by occasion, whether you're looking for a one-year anniversary or 15th-year anniversary gift .

Despite the fast shipping and variety, our expert tester, Rachel Rothman , chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, did note that the quality is not as high as the options offered by other photo book makers on this list — but that may be expected considering the bargain price tag. Regardless, these photo books still make a superb present that can cost under $10 without compromising on sentimentality.

No matter the occasion, you can't go wrong with one of Artifact Uprising's high-quality photo books. There are numerous design options, including preset books to celebrate the birth of a new baby or commemorating a marriage. You can choose from lay-flat albums, books with photo strips and even softcover Instagram Friendly Books for the influencer in your life. The company even has an iPhone app that lets you create a photo book right from your smartphone. However, Rachel found the app to be glitchy at times and noted there's room for improvement with the software. Still, the books come out on top for elegance and simplicity .

One online reviewer wrote, "The fabric cover is beautiful. The photos are amazing quality and look amazing even though the photos were taken on film and therefore are a bit grainy." And the overall 4.6-star rating (out of 5) backs up that review. Quality and elevated designs come with a higher price tag, but there are options for $20 or less if you're shopping on a budget.

If you have a special project and a little more money to spend, Artifact Uprising offers Design Services , which allow you to work one-on-one with an expert to bring your special moments to life. Note that the design fee is rather steep at $119 and requires an additional $100 album deposit.

When Mixbook says it has "custom photo books for every occasion," it really means it. There are 374 different themed templates to choose from . From travel and sports to weddings and recipes, there's likely a template here for you. But that doesn't mean you have to give up creative control. You can still customize the look to your liking, from fun backgrounds to stickers to text using the Editor tool. Plus, there are plenty of paper varieties, from semigloss to ultra-thick matte.

Rachel appreciated the nice balance between good photo editing and price, but she did experience issues with the lay-flat option, in which the photos bled into the crease. You can also use the iPhone app to organize your photos with a tool that the brand calls "Automagic": Simply choose the images you want and select a theme. The goal of Automagic is to help arrange your camera roll so your photos are in order when it comes time to add them to your photo book.

If you're not sure where to start, our pros love Printique because it's super easy to use. You can select one of the many predesigned layouts or create an entire photo book from scratch. Choose among portrait, landscape and square orientations, as well as hardcover and softcover options. You can even store your memories in a genuine leather or vegan leather book or pick from five different fabric colors. Although you can't choose the color for a hard- or softcover photo book, you can still customize the shape, size and paper type.

Looking for something more advanced? There's also a tool for professional photographers to design and create their own photo books. Of course, you can also build up to this software later, as you add more photo albums to your collection. You could also consider starting with one of Printique's 4" x 4" Mini Softcover photo books , which have a maximum of 40 pages and come in three sizes.

With Pinhole Press, you can choose from various photo book styles ranging from board pages to softcovers to accordion-style setups. Upload your photos and let the system do the work, or manually place the photos into the layout yourself. Rachel says her kids love the Custom Board Books , which have themes such as " Count With Me ," " Healthy Habits " and " I Can Be Anything ." These photo books aren't just visually stimulating, but they can also educate and entertain kids for years to come .

"I got my daughter the ' My First Photo Book ' as a toddler and made it all about her — like pictures with family, doing things she likes, her favorite toys, at the playground and beach, etc. — and she still is obsessed with it," says Lexie Sachs , executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Rachel also notes the custom Photo Puzzle is a fun option for kids, and the Itty Bitty Books are easy to tote around in a work bag for on-hand entertainment. There's less variety in some categories, including Itty Bitty and hardcover books, but with so many additional photo categories other companies lack, there are still plenty of great options for kids.

RELATED: 12 Best Personalized Books for Kids

If you store your snaps in Google Photos, then Google's very own photo book maker might be the most convenient option for you. Even though there are no fancy designs, the process is seamless. Choose from two options: a 7" x 7" softcover photo book or a 9" x 9" hardcover photo book. You can include between 20 and 140 pages, and you have the option to add a spine title if you hit more than 48 pages for a softcover or any number of pages for a hardcover.

Another hallmark of Google Photos is that you can make one photo book and order multiple copies to give to family members and friends who are also pictured in the photos. Since they come at an affordable price point, you could give everyone on your gift list a copy, whether you decide to create a collection of candid photos for your closest friends or a tangible memento of a fun family trip. Though there may not be as many designs and styles to choose from, that can make the customization process less daunting.

RELATED: 50 Trendy and Most Popular Gifts of 2023

Is Amazon Photos already your preferred destination for uploading photos? Then creating a photo book through its interface is an easy solution. Similar to other photo book makers, you can create by occasion and size, or choose its 8" x 8" Premium Photo Book for a versatile option that has a laminated cover and lay-flat binding. There's also an option with standard binding at a lower cost, and all Amazon Prime members get free shipping . (Everyone else is eligible for free shipping with a minimum order of $15.)

In addition to photo books, you can shop large prints, calendars, cards and metal tabletops. There are fewer size and style options than most services when it comes to photo books, but the other photo product choices make up for the lack of available styles. After all, sometimes it's easier and quicker to have fewer options to choose from if you need to pull something together by a certain date, like a last-minute gift for your boyfriend .

RELATED: 37 Best Personalized Gifts You Can Find on Amazon

Chatbooks Custom Photo Books & Albums

"Set and forget it," Rachel says about the ease of using Chatbooks, which markets itself as "ridiculously easy." You can upload images from Instagram, Flickr, Dropbox, Facebook or your computer and edit them on your desktop or via the app . The service's Custom Photo Books & Albums option is great for families looking to personalize a family vacation , as you can choose colors, layouts, cover styles, collages, captions and more. Peruse its vast collection of more than 300 unique book covers, or shop the premium lay-flat and special occasion photo books.

Or have fun with the Instagram and Facebook series — a 6" x 6" or 8" x 8" book with 60 pages — that lets you store your favorite social media posts in a tangible place to look back on for years to come.

Unique to Chatbooks is its subscription service, which allows you to receive a softcover, hardcover or mini photo book each month. If you and your family love taking photographs of walks in the park, weekend road trips or homemade pizza nights at home, this service is ideal for getting your photos in your hands ASAP. One thing to note about the subscription option is that there are only two sizes available (5" x 7" and the monthly mini).

How we choose the best photo book makers

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , our pros in the Media & Tech Lab have been testing photo book makers for more than a decade . For this article, we referenced a robust test of photo book makers completed in 2009, examined updates to apps and ordered new products to test.

When choosing the best photo book makers, our Lab experts consider ease of use, performance and appearance . That means our pros take an in-depth look at a wide range of features, such as how easy it is to navigate the interface and add photos and text to the book; upload and delivery time; the number of styles, covers and templates offered; and the photo, paper and binding quality.

What to look for when shopping for the best custom photo book maker

Keep the following features in mind when choosing the right service for your needs:

✔️ Size: Whether you're looking for a small photo board book for kids or a much larger album to house snapshots from a long family vacation, there are regular, large and miniature photo book sizes available. It's best to think about how many photos you want to include and where you plan to store the album (i.e., will the book be too tall for your bookshelf or just right on top of your coffee table?).

✔️ Shape: Most photo books are rectangular or square in shape, but some companies also offer photo puzzles, calendars and tabletops to choose from too. The shape is really about aesthetic preference and the orientation you prefer for your photos.

✔️ Page count: Are you compiling 20 photos from your daughter's first-birthday party? Or are you putting together an anniversary album of pictures of you and your partner throughout the years? The number of pages determines the number of photos you can include in an album, so you have enough space to include everything.

✔️ Paper quality: This is probably a no-brainer, as the quality of material your photos are printed on is as important as the quality of the photos themselves. Although companies with higher-quality paper, like Artifact Uprising , may have a higher price tag, the extra money goes toward paper that won't lead to photos bleeding into the crease. But there are still services that are affordable and offer good-quality products, like our best value pick, Walmart Photo .

✔️ Binding quality: Some companies, like Google Photos , will add a binding to your photo album. This feature is especially important when considering the durability and longevity of your photo album. Whether it's a softcover, hardcover or lay-flat book, make sure the binding can withstand accidental drops and the wear and tear of passing the family album around at holiday parties.

✔️ Templates: If your photo album will have a certain theme or be centered around a specific occasion — or it's your first time using a photo book maker — choosing a service that has a variety of templates to choose from will let your creativity flow and also help you warm up to the design process.

✔️ Editing capabilities: When looking at the beginner-level or more advanced designer tools, consider how robust or simple they are to use. Having lots of control over the interface is fun, but if you're looking for a more straightforward experience, opt for a service that does the majority of the decision-making for you or offers designer help, like Shutterfly .

What is the easiest way to make a custom photo book?

" It really depends upon the service and your preference ," Rachel says. Although some online custom photo book makers also have an app, it can have limited functionality, be buggy or not as easy to use as the desktop equivalent. "Often, an app makes it super simple to upload pictures from your phone (a major plus!) but doesn't allow as much flexibility for product assortment or editing once you've selected." That said, designing a photo book on your smartphone or tablet versus a desktop may come down to how many edits you intend to make .

"If you plan to do a lot of editing, the non-app version on a larger screen would likely be your best choice. If you want to quickly make a book with limited changes, an app on your mobile device may be the way to go," Rachel explains.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she ensures product reviews reflect accurate information. Prior to this role, she was an editorial assistant at Woman's Day , where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes.

To update this article, Elizabeth collaborated with Good Housekeeping Institute Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman to gather testing notes regarding current picks. Rachel, who has tested several of the best photo book makers on this list, has more than 15 years of experience evaluating thousands of products, including toys and cars for Good Housekeeping’s annual Best Toy Awards and Best New Family Cars programs.

Amina Lake Abdelrahman is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Institute Lab experts' product testing and analysis.

Amina is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Lab experts' product testing and analysis. Amina graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in communication studies and journalism.

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

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• Home & garden

Best photo book 2023: Hold on to your cherished memories with these DIY photo albums

• Sherwin Coelho
• Aleksha McLoughlin

Get your photos off your phone and into a custom-designed photo book you’ll want to look at and cherish for years to come

We’re all obsessed with taking photos on our smartphones, but when it comes to showing them off, we’re pretty clueless. The best photo books are a wonderful way to brush the digital dust off the cherished memories stored on your phone or social media account. There are dozens of affordable online services that can help you put your photos in an exquisitely crafted physical photo book, so you can enjoy your favourite snaps for years to come.

Maybe you want to have a record of your baby’s first year or a significant day, like your wedding day, a special birthday or an anniversary. Photo books also make brilliant gifts, because they remind the person on the receiving end of cherished memories – and in a format that they can keep on the shelf or coffee table to show others or simply reminiscence.

Photo books can be as basic or luxurious as you like, with themed options that can spice up otherwise dull albums, or classic designs that will compliment your photos without distracting you from them.

The best thing about creating a photo album these days is the simplicity that all the below services offer. Forget about being a tech wiz or having photo editing skills: some services will automatically select your best photos and put them in a customised album for you.

In most cases, you simply choose your template and layout, then insert the pictures you want in the order you want them. In short, if you can use Facebook, then you can create a photo album. Read on to find out how to move your pictures off your phone and out of your feeds and into the real world where they will be appreciated.

READ NEXT: Best camera bags

Best photo book: At a glance

• Best for ease of use: BonusPrint | Buy now
• Best budget option: Snapfish | Buy now
• Best for variety of styles: Photobox | Buy now
• Best high-end option: Milk Books | Buy now

How to choose the best photo book service for you

How easy is the process.

Rewind about five years and you would have had to worry about taking your camera to the printers and waiting weeks to see how your pictures came out. But today’s modern photo book services make the process super-easy by allowing you to upload pictures straight from your PC, phone and – in many cases – your social media feeds. This means you can manage, edit and order your album from just about any device.

What style options do I have?

The sky’s pretty much the limit when it comes to size and other options for your photo book. While a lot of services offer the aesthetically-pleasing option of one photo per page (or even a double-page spread), most also allow for a more traditional photo album or scrapbook designs that mimic old-fashioned ways of displaying photos. Apart from this, you can also add text, illustrations and other designs to make your photos pop.

READ NEXT: Best photo editing software

Do I need to have any prior photo editing knowledge?

While it always helps to know how to crop, resize and add effects to your photos, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t need any prior photo editing knowledge to create your photo book. All websites offer useful templates with customisable themes and options to zoom in or out of your photo to focus on what’s important to you. Most services even let you add effects to add some glitz and glamour to your prints.

Do I need a laptop to create a photo book?

Most of the below photo book services have their own free apps that you can download onto your smartphone or tablet. However, some service only work via a web browser on your PC. In general, we always recommend a bigger screen for creating photo albums because this will give you a better idea of both the album size and how your colours will look.

Can I preview how my photo book will look?

Yes. Almost all the services mentioned below let you preview your final product before you order it. Ensure you take your time to go through the preview before confirming your purchase because this will give you a good estimate of how you can expect your photo book to look and feel when you receive it.

READ NEXT: Want instant photos? Check out the best instant cameras

The best photo books you can buy right now

1. bonusprint: best for ease of use.

Available via an app for desktop, tablet and smartphones, BonusPrint’s service is very versatile and dead easy to use. Standard options include landscape, portrait and square books, and you can choose whether you want a plain cover in leather or linen, or a photo cover that will make the finished album feel even more personal.

One of its best features is called Smart Assistant. Simply select the folder whose photos you want and the said assistant will ‘smartly’ pick out your best photos eliminating duplicates, blurry and out-of-focus photos. The service will even go so far as creating an album from the best photos. Of course, you can then edit the album as you please. This process can save you hours of hard work if you don’t want to upload and customise the photos individually yourself.

Delivery time: 6-8 working days; Shipping cost: from £3; Mobile app: Yes; Social media import: Yes

Buy now from BonusPrint

2. Photobox: Best for variety of styles

Price: From £14 | Buy now from Photobox

Photobox is the clear and outright winner when it comes to sheer number of book styles on offer. The service provides so many different album styles that you’ll be hard-pressed not to find something you love. This also means that the options vary in price quite significantly, from the £16 ‘Little Moments Photo Book’ to the more extravagant £110 luxe ‘Premium Photo Book’ with padded hardcover and presentation box.

We like that the website has clear terms with examples for the different options available when it comes to binding, covers and paper used. While this can be fairly straightforward, the last thing you want is to expect one thing and receive something different altogether with all your precious effort gone down the drain. Photobox also scores high if you’re customising a photo book as a gift because you can have years, names or special shapes (such as a heart) included on the cover.

Delivery time: 4-12 working days; Shipping cost: from £4; Mobile app: Yes; Social media import: Yes

Buy now from Photobox

3. Mixbook: Best for variety of themes

Mixbook has a variety of themes readily available for almost any occasion – including weddings, birthdays and travel. The service offers quick preview after you select your theme and style. This gives you a good idea of how you can expect your photo book to look even before your start uploading your photos. Every style has a different book shape, so you can be sure your photos will look great and pop out of the page regardless of whether they’re in portrait or landscape mode.

Mixbook is a great service for those who want a fun, customised photo book but don’t know where to start because you can simply choose a theme, choose a style and start uploading and customising your photo book. When you’re designing your book, you can choose various backgrounds and stickers to augment the pages, as well as add effects to your images.

Delivery time: 3-11 working days; Shipping cost: from £4.51; Mobile app: No; Social media import: No

Buy now from Mixbook

4. Snapfish: Best budget option

A budget alternative that doesn’t sacrifice quality or variety, Snapfish offers a choice of seven different sizes and covers, along with more than 100 templates that can be used in the design process. It’s easy to design something special on your PC or mobile device and the results won’t cost the earth. The only downside is that existing projects can’t be shared between the Snapfish desktop site and app, so you need to decide which platform you would like to build your photo book on before you start.

Creating a photo book can be quite daunting, so we’re glad that Snapfish has useful guides at the bottom of the website that gently hold your hand through the entire process – should you need the extra support or get stuck mid-way through the process. Among other articles, there are ideas on how to create the perfect recipe book and even how to document your entire family history via a photo book.

Delivery time: 3-6 working days; Shipping cost: from £2; Mobile app: Yes; Social media import: Yes

Buy now from Snapfish

5. Cewe: Best desktop creation software

Price: From £6 | Buy now from Cewe

Almost all the above services let you create photo books across a range of devices, but Cewe’s desktop software was the easiest to use. Even though it’s very easy to create photo books on your mobile device, we always recommend a PC or laptop because it gives you a more realistic idea of how your photo book will eventually look. One of the best features of the software is the option to design your photo book offline and create it at your own pace before you’re ready to print it. Of course, Cewe also has mobile apps and even an online creation tool, if that’s what you prefer.

There are eight photo book sizes to choose from – from Small to XXL Landscape – so you’re sure to find something you want depending on the occasion you’re creating for. The UK-based service has a range of covers, paper types, highlights and binding styles to suit your style. It also has a useful daytime chat support option to help you create your book or answer any queries if you get stuck during any point in the process.

Delivery time: 5-7 working days; Shipping cost: from £4; Mobile app: Yes; Social media import: Yes

Buy now from Cewe

6. Bob Books: Best for versatility

Priced somewhere near the middle of the options in this roundup, Bob Books offers plenty of variety when it comes to design and layout. Indeed, there are seven different sizes and three orientations to choose from; portrait, square and landscape. A key feature that makes these books stand out from the competition is the fact that each one, whether hardback or paperback, also comes bound in a wrap-around encompassing cover, with various finishes available.

Bob Books offers a multitude of ways in which you can create your photobook, no matter what device you have to hand. There’s a dedicated software app for PC and Mac, a web-based photobook editor, an iOS app for iPhones, and a PDF-to-book program for those who’d like to use Adobe InDesign. Depending on your technical knowledge, the process can be as carefree or complex as you want.

Delivery time: 6 – 10 working days; Shipping cost: £4.99; Mobile app: Yes; Social media import: No

Buy now from Bob Books

7. Milk Books: Best high-end option

If you’re really looking for something that’s extra special and extravagant, then you should consider Milk Books. The company provides premium handcrafted photo books that really bring out the best in your images, with everything from classic photo books to gorgeous Moleskine-style albums and more.

The drawbacks of the service include long delivery times, presumably because of the care with which your items are created, but the quality and price easily justify the wait.

Delivery time: 17-26 days; Shipping cost: from £10; Mobile app: No; Social media import: No

Buy now from Milk Books

This stunning photography book was shot with Sony compact cameras!

Mikko Takkunen's Hong Kong is my favorite street photography book this year, so it was a surprise to learn that it was shot entirely with compact cameras!

Mikko Takkunen teaches us that small equipment doesn't mean small output, as his new photography book  Hong Kong  was shot entirely on digital compact cameras . 

I recently sat down with Mikko to discuss the book, and after providing some fascinating insights into his process and approach we got on to the topic of gear. Having seen firsthand the stunning images in Hong Kong , when I asked which equipment he used I was expecting him to mention one of the best mirrorless or even a medium-format camera . To my surprise, it was quite the opposite. 

The following is an excerpt from the interview :

What photography equipment did you shoot with?

I shot with four cameras, but 90% was shot with a Sony RX100 VII , a small compact camera with a 24-200mm equivalent telephoto zoom lens. As it's a fixed zoom you can't get wide apertures, but most of the time I shoot with a large f-stop like f/8 or f/11.

I also shot with a Sony HX90 which is even smaller and compact but it has an insane 24 - 720mm equivalent lens which I used to capture images from the 19th-floor window onto the lower rooftops streets below. I could get close to people mostly using around 400mm or so, but I didn't only shoot on a telephoto, there are photos from the street that were shot at 80, 28, 35, and 50mm.

What I like about the Sony cameras is they're tiny and I even started buying my clothing based on if the pockets would fit the Sony so I could have them with me all the time. The telephoto capabilities also helped to compress the scene and helped depict a sense of density and claustrophobia.  

I also used a Fujifilm X100F , the camera that my wife got me in 2018, which was my first proper camera after many years of shooting with my phone. Then there are two images in the book that were taken with my iPhone 11 Pro , including the back cover of the yellow door. It's quite incredible the back cover holds the quality and I don't think you would be able to know that it's an iPhone image.

Images taken from Hong Kong by Mikko Takkunen

To learn that the majority of the book was shot with not only a compact camera, but a compact camera with a sensor smaller than APS-C certainly took me by surprise – but it also made complete sense. 

Much like the great street photographers, Takkunen photographs the world as an observer, which means what he looks for in a camera is a small blueprint enabling him to have it on him easily at all times, and a large versatile zoom to capture details. He found that with the Sony RX100 VII, which is a lesson in the importance of finding what works for you and your practice.

The tradeoff for the size and high zoom function is usually a lower image quality, which may still be the case, but the image quality produced is still outstanding and was printed in great detail in a professionally published book by Kehrer – what more do you need?

The Sony RX100 VII is a tiny compact camera that boasts several high-quality features, and in my opinion perhaps doesn't get the recognition it deserves because of the smaller Type-1 (1-inch) sensor and higher f-stop. The RX100 VII's 24-200mm zoom lens has a super fast AF with real-time tracking and eye AF, plus enhanced image stabilization and 4K video.

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As photographers, we can often obsess over the latest and greatest gear, and for the majority, the final output is posted to social media where it dies as quickly as it's uploaded. So it begs the question unless you're printing on a large scale, why do we need a constantly increasing megapixel count? I am certainly guilty of putting off projects because I do not have the 'right' equipment, but I am now inspired to get started on those long put-off shoots and to use my iPhone more!

If you haven't done so already, I recommend checking out the full interview with Mikko Takkunen where we discuss his beautiful new book  Hong Kong . 

See our guides for more information on the best camera for street photography , the best compact camera , and the best camera phone .

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Kalum Carter is a photographer, photo editor and writer based in the UK, and for almost a decade he has worked with brands and publications to create, edit, and sequence imagery. Having recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Photography from the University of the West of England (UWE), Kalum joined Digital Camera World as a Staff Writer, covering news, reviews, and his biggest passion – photography books! 

Kalum's photography has been published and exhibited around the world, and he continues to photograph on a project-by-project basis. He is currently working on a personal project capturing the people and landscape of Gower, South Wales. Currently untitled , this body of work will be exhibited for the National Trust later this year.   

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