Stranger Fruit by Jon Henry published by Monolith, Stranger Fruit Cover Editions ©The Book Photographer

Stranger Fruit by Jon Henry published by Monolith Editions, Stranger Fruit interior ©The Book Photographer

(Stranger Fruit by Jon Henry published by Monolith Editions. Stranger Fruit sold out in six weeks, and went into a second edition, with solo shows at Abakus Projects, UCR Arts and Photographic Center Northwest, and press including, the Boston Globe, Hyperallergic, Dazed UK, the Gaudian and selected as one of the best photo books of the year by El Pais. Won an Art Directors Club Award, AIGA 50 Books and Tokyo Type Directors Club excellent work. Collected by MOMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Getty Museum.)

The first photobook is a rite of passage that introduces and disseminates the photographer’s ideas and establishes their identity. Every book marks an important moment in a photographer’s career and has the potential to launch the work and artist into a wider audience, to increase exposure and create opportunities for press and exhibitions.

Producing excellent books require a small team of collaborators, central among these is a good designer who translates the photographer’s concept into a strong, clear narrative that engages the reader. Every project has its own combination of collaborators — designer, writer, curator, editor, retoucher, lithographer, printer, binder, and publisher.

The interesting books design an experience that is rooted in the projects concept and narrative. The design language echoes the content and clarifies and strengthens the work. Every detail contributes to the experiential arc.

Boy Crazy by Elizabeth Clark Libert published by Workshop Arts, Boy Crazy Cover ©The Book Photographer

Boy Crazy by Elizabeth Clark Libert published by Workshop Arts, Boy Crazy Interior ©The Book Photographer

 (Boy Crazy by Elizabeth Clark Libert published by Workshop Arts. Shortlisted Rencontre d’Arles Book Awards, shortlisted for a Communication Arts Design Award, received in print coverage in D Magazine: La Repubblica and Ma Magazine. Solo exhibitions scheduled for 2025 and 2026. Collected by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and University of Colorado Boulder)

A projects success is determined by how well its story is told through the design language of the book. Exceptionally designed books increase the impact they have on an artist’s career. The first photobooks shared here, with design direction by my studio Luminosity Lab, have launched the artists and their projects further into world increasing their reach and reputation. The books have won awards, been collected by museums, featured in print and online publications, sold out, fueled lectures and exhibitions with their publication.

Ode to the Lake Sacalaia by C Fodoreanu, published by Cornel/Henry Art, Lake Cover ©The Book Photographer

Ode to the Lake Sacalaia by C Fodoreanu, published by Cornel/Henry Art, Lake Interior ©The Book Photographer

 (Ode to the Lake Sacalaia by C Fodoreanu, published by Cornel/Henry Art. Featured in The San Diego Tribune, The Village Voice, Hyperallergic, and LA Weekly. Exhibited at California State University Los Angeles. Collected by the Museum of Photographic Arts, Maryland Institute College of Art and Artphilen Foundation.)

Every year hundreds of photobooks are released and they’re in competition with each other for attention. A poorly designed and produced first photobook is a lost opportunity to gain a larger share of the spotlight.

Breathe in Water by Sue Michlovitz, Breath in Water Cover ©The Book Photographer

Breathe in Water by Sue Michlovitz., Breath in Water interior ©The Book Photographer

(Breathe in Water by Sue Michlovitz. Lectures at Rockport Public Library, Blue Raven Gallery. Exhibited at Maine Jewish Museum, Midcoast Main Book Arts, Blue Raven Gallery and Michael Good Gallery. Featured in Lenscratch and Shadow and Light. Collected by Museum of Fine Arts Houston.)

With a strong team and a design that reflects the concept and narrative of the photographs, through clear, concise visual language that is unique to the work, the book can be an experience that engages viewers and begins new conversations and increases the awareness and reach of the project and artist.

Have book questions that you think might make a good column? Email me for consideration. (caleb@luminositylab.com).

First Stop Last Stop by Rita Nannini published by Workshop Arts, FSLS Cover ©The Book Photographer

First Stop Last Stop by Rita Nannini published by Workshop Arts, FSLS Interior ©The Book Photographer

(First Stop Last Stop by Rita Nannini published by Workshop Arts. Sold out in less than a year, Rita was featured on live T.V. CNN and Chanel five. Written about extensively including by the Time Out New York and the Smithsonian. Collected by the New York City Public Library Collection and NY Transit Museum)

Links of Featured Work

Stranger Fruit
Jon Henry
Follow Jon Henry on Instagram: @whoisdamaster/

Boy Crazy
Elizabeth Clark Libert
Follow Elizabeth Clark Libert on Instagram: @zardslens/

Breath in Water
Sue Michlovitz
Follow Sue Michlovitz on Instagram: @s_michlovitz_photo/

Ode to the Lake Sacalaia
C Fodoreanu
Follow C Fodoreanu on Instagram: ©cfodoreanu/

First Stop Last Stop
Rita Nannini
Follow Rita Nannini on Instagram: ©ritanannini/

About Luminosity Lab.
We use our powers to advance institutions and people in the arts by translating their ideas into experiences that create a lasting legacy through books and identities that grow audience and reputation.
Books and Publications
With a distinct experience in book design and production, we find beauty arises from a response to the content that is led by strong ideas, typography, and attention to the book as a sculptural object.
Follow on Instagram:
@calebcainmarcus/
@luminositylabdesign