Many wildlife and nature photographers have dreamed of a coffee table book of their own images at one time or another. Traditional methods of publishing a quality photo book can involve hiring a designer to layout your work and suggest changes as needed. This, of course, can cost thousands of dollars even before you’ve found a suitable publisher.
I’d like to suggest a more affordable way to create your own photography book to share with family and friends and even have an opportunity to make a small profit.
Blurb offers a fantastic way to produce a high quality book and the process is simple and fun. This self-publishing company allows you to download their free bookmaking software and import your best photographs onto your choice of a design template. Many of the templates allow sufficient room for text if you’d like to do some writing. When you’re happy with your design, everything gets uploaded to Blurb’s website www.blurb.com and they publish your creation.
With Blurb you have many options aside from choosing your favourite template. Book size, soft or hardcover book options and paper choice offer full creative control of your book. Blurb pricing is reasonable. For example, an 80-page, 8-inch-by-10-inch, full colour, hard cover book of your images on premium paper will be somewhere around the $40 mark.
Helpful tips and tricks are easily accessible through Blurb’s website and blog. Both of these are frequently updated and design ideas are given by knowledgeable book makers from time to time. Browsing the “Just Published” list allows you to review recently-made books by other people.
Blurb’s quality does not stop after publishing your book. Extreme care is used to protect your book in shrink-wrap and they package it in a sturdy cardboard mailer. You can be sure your book will arrive at your door in superb condition.
Overall, Blurb offers bookstore quality at an affordable price and gives you something original and unique to place upon your coffee table. Have a look at their website and you’ll find much more information and inspiration to get you going. With the holiday season just around the corner, showcase your photographic talent. A signed book of your own might just be the perfect gift.
Happy book making!
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