Episode 171: Daniel Agee – Top 10 Photo Books of 2025

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 2025The State of Photo Book Publishing in 20252025 Trends Shaping PhotobooksOur Editor’s Top 10 Photo Books of the Year (2025)DIY Publishing in 2025: From Blurb to Newspaper‑Club ZinesLooking 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 IssueWhat the Hosts Said (2024)Why It Still Matters for SEO in 2025High Up‑Front CostsPublishers 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 ModelSome 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 SizeOnly 15–25k people worldwide actively buy photo books; reputation spreads fast.Use phrases like photo book community 2025, photo book collectors today.Transparency Is KeySharing 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 & AuthorPublisherWhy It Stands Out (2025 relevance)1A Surrender – Markus NaarttijärviGood FightIPA Photo Book of the Year; continues to win 2025 exhibition spots.2North North South – Ada GragossianGostQuiet portraits that bridge B&W (2024) and color (2025) trends.3Sunshine Terrace – Emily ShurDeadbeatVibrant LA suburbia; frequently cited in 2025 “best color photo books.”4Weight of Ash – Ian BatesDeadbeatBlack‑white documentation of post‑fire West Coast; a reference point for climate‑focused work in 2025.5In Passing – Lisa SorginiLibraryMan (Sweden)Personal grief turned universal; heavily featured in 2025 mental‑health art talks.6Mike – Elijah HoweTIS BooksMulti‑generational family archive; lauded for its hybrid of historic and contemporary images.7American Surfaces – Stephen Shore (original ...