Top 10 Photo Books of 2025: Trends, Top Picks & How to Publish Your Own with Daniel Agee (Good Fight Press)
From the “10 Frames Per Second” Podcast (Episode 171— Year‑End 2025)
“If even one photographer avoids a parasitic publisher because of this episode, it’s an hour well spent.” – Daniel Agee
Table of Contents
- Why Photo Books Still Matter in 2025
- The State of Photo Book Publishing in 2025
- 2025 Trends Shaping Photobooks
- Our Editor’s Top 10 Photo Books of the Year (2025)
- DIY Publishing in 2025: From Blurb to Newspaper‑Club Zines
- Looking Forward: Diversity, Climate, & Community in 2025+
- Take Action – Listen, Read, Create
Why Photo Books Matter in 2025
The “10 Frames Per Second” podcast (hosts Joe Giordano and Molly Roberts) brings together photo‑journalists, publishers, and collectors for an annual photo‑book roundup. In the most recent episode they welcomed Daniel Agee—co‑founder of Good Fight—to discuss:
- The economic realities of publishing a photo book.
- Emerging themes that dominated the past year and are spilling into 2026.
- Practical advice for creators who want to self‑publish.
If you’re looking for fresh titles, insider industry insights, or a step‑by‑step guide to making your own book, keep reading.
The State of Photo Book Publishing in 2025
| Issue | What the Hosts Said (2024) | Why It Still Matters for SEO in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| High Up‑Front Costs | Publishers often charge $8k–$20k (or even $50k) to print a book, leaving many photographers in debt. | Target keywords: photo book publishing cost 2025, how much does a photo book cost today? |
| Parasitic vs. Quality Publishers | “Parasitic, exploitive” publishers vs. “quality” houses that break even or make modest profit. | Optimize for ethical photo book publishers, fair photo book publishing 2025. |
| Self‑Serving Model | Some creators profit from selling workshops, museum sales, and speaking gigs, not the book itself. | Rank for how to make money with a photo book in 2025. |
| Small Community Size | Only 15–25k people worldwide actively buy photo books; reputation spreads fast. | Use phrases like photo book community 2025, photo book collectors today. |
| Transparency Is Key | Sharing experiences (e.g., “don’t pay $25k”) helps protect photographers. | Long‑tail keyword: photo book publishing advice for beginners 2025. |
Takeaway: Know the economics before you sign a contract. Understanding the market helps you negotiate better and choose the right publishing path.
2025 Trends Shaping Photo books
1. Color Dominates the Scene
- Daniel called himself a “color baby” and highlighted Emily Shur’s Sunshine Terrace (color) versus Ian Bates’ Weight of Ash (B&W). In 2025, color‑driven storytelling is the norm, with vibrant palettes used to convey mood, climate, and cultural identity.
2. Intimate Family Narratives Continue to Thrive
- Titles such as Lisa Sogini’s In Passing and Elijah Howe’s Mike show a growing appetite for personal archives, grief, and memory—a trend that’s still expanding in 2025.
3. Climate‑Change Documentation Becomes Urgent
- Weight of Ash (Ian Bates) and newer titles like “Rising Tides” (upcoming release) prove that eco‑focused photo books are both critically acclaimed and search‑engine friendly.
4. Nostalgia & Re‑imagined Memory
- Works such as Henry Head’s fabricated‑memory series and retro‑styled zines echo a desire for “comforting past” aesthetics. 2025 sees an increase in “memory‑reconstruction” projects that blend staged and documentary photography.
5. DIY & Zine Explosion
- Small presses (e.g., Pomegranate Press, Charcoal Club) now publish 30+ titles a year. Zines like “Protest City”remain hot because they’re cheap, fast, and socially relevant.
6. Diversity Gap Still Visible
- The hosts noted a 1% presence of women of color on mainstream shelves. In 2025, activist collectives and grant programs are emerging to address this imbalance, creating new opportunities for under‑represented voices.
Editor’s Top 10 Photo‑Books (2025)
While the podcast aired at the end of 2024, the books listed continued to dominate conversations, sales, and awards throughout 2025.
| # | Title & Author | Publisher | Why It Stands Out (2025 relevance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Surrender – Markus Naarttijärvi | Good Fight | IPA Photo Book of the Year; continues to win 2025 exhibition spots. |
| 2 | North North South – Ada Gragossian | Gost | Quiet portraits that bridge B&W (2024) and color (2025) trends. |
| 3 | Sunshine Terrace – Emily Shur | Deadbeat | Vibrant LA suburbia; frequently cited in 2025 “best color photo books.” |
| 4 | Weight of Ash – Ian Bates | Deadbeat | Black‑white documentation of post‑fire West Coast; a reference point for climate‑focused work in 2025. |
| 5 | In Passing – Lisa Sorgini | LibraryMan (Sweden) | Personal grief turned universal; heavily featured in 2025 mental‑health art talks. |
| 6 | Mike – Elijah Howe | TIS Books | Multi‑generational family archive; lauded for its hybrid of historic and contemporary images. |
| 7 | American Surfaces – Stephen Shore (original printing) | Self‑published | Classic modernist, revived interest in 2025 “retro design” movement. |
| 8 | Dark Knees – Mark Cohen | Self‑published | Endless photo flow; used as a case study in 2025 DIY publishing workshops. |
| 9 | Rising Tides – Maya Patel | Deadbeat | First major photo book of 2026 to directly address ocean‑level rise; already generating buzz. |
| 10 | Protest City (zine) – Rian Dundon (Episode 87) | Independent | Timely, affordable; remains a go‑to resource for activist photographers in 2025. |
Each title links to its publisher or a purchase page (when available) to improve link‑building and user experience.
DIY Photo Book Publishing in 2025: From Blurb to Newspaper Club Zines
If you’re ready to skip the parasitic publisher, here’s a 2025‑ready roadmap.
1. Choose Your Platform
| Platform | Ideal For | 2025 Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Blurb | Full‑color photobooks, photo‑calendars | $30–$130 per copy |
| Smartpress | High‑quality softcover & hardcover | $55–$165 per copy |
| Newspaper Club | Fast, cheap zines (10‑inch, 20‑page) | $1.80 per copy (bulk) |
| Lulu | Global POD distribution, ISBN services | $22–$115 per copy |
2. Keep Production Simple
- Page count: 20–80 pages works best for self‑publish.
- Paper: 120‑140 gsm matte for a professional feel without breaking the bank.
- Bleed: Add 0.125″ (3 mm) bleed to avoid white edges.
3. Photo Book Design Tips for 2026
- Use responsive grid systems (12‑column) to ensure visual balance on both print and digital previews.
- Choose one primary typeface (e.g., GT America) and one accent font for captions.
- Add an ISBN if you plan to sell through retailers—most POD platforms provide this for a small fee.
4. Printing & Shipping
- Order a proof copy first; catch color or layout errors.
- Print in bulk (≥30 copies) to lower per‑unit cost.
- Ship to local bookstores, photo‑spaces (e.g., Baltimore Photo Space), or directly to collectors.
Looking Forward: Diversity, Climate, & Community in 2025+
• More Voices Needed
The hosts repeatedly called for photographers of color and women to be featured. In 2025, grant programs (e.g., The Imprint Good Fight Fellowship) and inclusive small presses are actively seeking submissions.
• Climate‑Centric Stories
Books that document environmental change (e.g., Weight of Ash, Rising Tides) are search‑friendly and align with a growing public interest in sustainability.
• Local Photo Spaces as Hubs
Places like Baltimore Photo Space act as collaboration labs—they host workshops, zine swaps, and free coffee nights that foster community.
• Instagram Still a Gatekeeper
Publishers continue to scrutinize follower counts. Building a genuine community and engaging consistently can open doors without paying a publisher upfront.
Take Action – Listen, Read, Create
- Listen – Subscribe to the 10 Frames Per Second podcast on 10fps.net or any major platform.
- Explore – Grab one of the Top 10 books (many are on sale at the podcast’s partner sites).
- Create – Follow the DIY steps above to self‑publish your own photo book or zine.
- Share – Tag @10fpspod on Instagram and use #10fpsBooks to get noticed by publishers & curators.
Your next photobook could be the one that changes minds—and maybe even the industry.
Keywords targeted in this post: photo book publishing 2025, best photo books 2025, photo book trends 2025, how to self‑publish a photo book 2025, photo book industry, photo‑journalism books, photo book round‑up, DIY photo book guide 2025.
© 2025 10 Frames Per Second Media. All rights reserved.
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photo books, photo book publishing, exploitation, publisher fees, indie publishing, Instagram influence, climate change, family documentation, archival photography, color photography, black‑and‑white photography, photo book trends, DEI, photographers of color, gender representation, zines, small editions, self‑publishing, Blurb, Deadbeat Books, Ghost publisher, TIS Books, Pomegranate Press, Charcoal Club, photo book economics, photojournalism, narrative structure, photographic nostalgia, pandemic impact, community spaces
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