Complete Guide to How I Made a Photo Book! (My Manufacturer + Cost Breakdown)

[@RanftEvan]

Hope this video can all everyone looking to create their own body of work! If you want to pick up a copy of my book you can do so here- www.evanranft.com/store/memento Thanks for watching!

[@rebelkline3858]

I just had my first photo printer arrive so that I can push myself to creating a book. Its time to take my digital images into the real world.

[@guystokes454]

Which brand did you go with?

[@raheembig7733]

Can you tell us about the brand and its Price please ?

[@tonkabeanicecream5698]

I had fell out of shooting street photography due to life happening, today I am doing a Evan Ranft binge and missed watching your videos man, thank you for everything you do!

[@Sidola97]

The explanation of the whole process, the realism from how Evan breaks down each step methodically, just shows why he is my favourite and one of the best creatives out there. So, much to take away, I’m thinking of making a personal photobook and know I have a better sense of the process 🙌🏿thank you Evan

[@HartenDylan]

I have really appreciated the business of photography breakdowns and the direction it's taken the channel. As someone who seeks to improve my business, having a sanity check about the behind the scenes is invaluable. Things like fixed and variable costs, economies of scale, profit margins are essential concepts, but seeing it applied here helps professionals pull the trigger on their first book/print. Thank you and keep it up!

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

Been looking forward to this video. Still working on one based on my cheap motels/kitschy motel signs and classic diners. I've thrown out my Pink Motel sign from 2018. Feels kind of creepy that I have that even though I took it from the other side. I actually started contemplating this in 2001 when I was road tripping all over the country doing show photography for my friend's band. Lots of cheap motels.

[@zippydj]

Sounds like a cool concept! Best of luck with the book.

[@guystokes454]

This is cool, I had a concept like this year's ago, though I never followed up and now those motels are gone.

[@ChadHensiak]

I just ordered your Memento book. I am looking forward to checking it out. Your work has always inspired me and I appreciate what you do on KZbin. Thanks Evan!

[@timalley3906]

Very informative video, thank you. Honestly speaking though, a profit margin of 300% per unit is really high. When I published my first book a few years ago I did a profit margin of ~33%, sold out my first run, then did a reprint, and that sold out too. I didn't become rich but it made me some money. $100 for a book prices out a lot of your potential customers. After your first print run sells out, consider waiting a little bit (maybe a year), changing the binding a little bit to differentiate from the first edition, and then putting out a second edition at a lower price and/or lower profit margin to capture the part of your audience who couldn't afford the original price. Just my unsolicited advice though.

[@illyaswan]

That was uber informative, thank you! I feel like I need to re-watch it while taking notes now.

[@guystokes454]

Thank you for giving us all the gems. You didn't have to do this video, but you did.

[@MicaelWidell]

I really want to make a photo book at some point, but all the money and work involved, as well as the shipping logistics, always stop me. Just watching this video makes me stressed out. I think I will wait until a publisher approaches me, which might be never. I think I would be burned out by a book project otherwise. Anyway, great video. I think it covers all aspects really well.

[@Bembeleke]

Real good info man its truly appreciated 📸

[@Dieboltphoto96]

You provide so much value on KZbin compared to others!

[@aaronl7503]

Got your book for Christmas - absolutely love it. Excellent work.

[@ryanangelstudio]

Great stuff as always brotha!!!

[@janvanderwalt]

Hi Evan, thank you very much for this. I've just started the long process of making my first fine art photo book, and all of the information in your videos has really helped. Thank you very much for being open to sharing all of this information with us.

[@photobyjewell1987]

thanks so much for the video and breaking down how the process works to making a photo book

[@emetmartinez]

Super informative video. Thanks Evan! Wishing you great sales.

[@images7]

I appreciate the information.

[@JohnPatrickWeiss]

No wonder few people publish and sell books. Thanks for the thorough breakdown.

[@JoaoNunoRuivoBorrega]

Thank you for the brilliant advice on the topic of book development.

[@rwdrummer]

(I don't why but I laughed out loud when I saw that huge roll of bubble wrap. It was kinda like a sight gag.) Anyway, great video. I still feel like I'm years away from having enough good photos to justify making and selling a book. But one thing I definitely appreciate is you being willing to tell us which manufacturer you used. So often I see these how-to videos from youtubers and infuencers and they're talking about some unique product they're selling that looks amazing, but one thing they almost never reveal which company or manufacturer they used to make it (even if you ask them in the comments). They probably don't want anyone else to be able to copy what they're doing.

[@eighthlab2383]

thank you for all this info!!

[@whafrog]

Incredibly useful information, thank you!

[@marlinwoodruff2292]

The teacher great content I always leave a little smarter. Thank you, blessings

[@JW-wr6zw]

Very nice book. Great advice and bts commentary.

[@MilmidStudios]

Evan, always appreciate your insight. Wishing you success for your hard, consistent work!

[@dennylave3065]

Thank you so much!

[@gregkiserphotography]

Thank you for putting this out there with the costs, both up front and hidden. I've been considering doing a book for years now, but I've figured that there would be some big issues on the financial side which you confirmed. My biggest hurdle is the marketing end and being able to reach enough people to make the project worthwhile. I would be hard pressed to sell 500 copies and would most likely be down in the 100 copy range. From my recent feelers, the price point I would need to get to would be $20.00 per book which I know is not possible. Congratulations on your book and I wish you a lot of success with it. It looks beautiful and I would likely do something very similar because your design and concept are on point.

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

Did you think of doing a zine instead of a full size hard cover book? When I looked into it (admittedly a few years ago) it was cheaper.

[@gregkiserphotography]

@judeemclaughlin7394 yep, I've been looking into that and an ebook as alternatives and a way to break into the craft. It is cheaper, yet still has many of the same steps.

[@robertjones7695]

Great video and very clear and helpful. I'd not really considered a book, but it looks much more doable than I'd assumed.

[@cannedpears1980]

Hi there, I wanted to use Edition One based on your recommendation. In their FAQ they say 3-4 weeks of turnaround after sample approval. Why do you say 3-4 months?

[@cindyrosen8170]

Great video! Super helpful information!

[@JohnPatrickWeiss]

Did I miss the shipping costs? Once you get the books from Edition One, how much does it cost to ship each Memento book? Do you ship outside your country? Shipping seems like a huge expense.

[@alcozome]

Excellent video - Just subscribed - Thank you!

[@alpabopo]

Good stuff as usual man

[@VicentPhotos]

Love this ! I want to do something like that… 🔥

[@ABHINAVSINGH-jy3jz]

U are an amazing photographer..awesome work….nat geo level shots 😊

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Thanks, Evan.

[@kimduboisphotographeanimaliere]

Thanks for all of this information!!! :)

[@RetroRareandRad]

Thanks for this video. Great inspiration.

[@ezra7891]

What program did you use for putting together the book in terms of layout and overall design?

[@AndiusTeijgeler]

Thanks great info!!

[@tbwriter1]

Thank you this is good.

[@Foto.Morfose]

thanks brow!

[@wildbill4680]

I appreciate the information 👍

[@ikirigin]

Setting margin as a multiple of manufacturing costs is a very bad idea, especially when the costs vary so wildly with scale.

[@9houseArt]

Love the new book! Got it a few weeks ago.

[@RanftEvan]

That makes me very happy! Thanks for supporting the project!

[@atrickyfix701]

Great info

[@MARZILLI]

You are a MASTER. Believe that… ❤️ #Memento 💀🐍 is soooo beautiful.

[@ronraheen7687]

Good info.

[@sarahmae8991]

I’d love to make a book to sell but I feel that I wouldn’t sell enough to compensate for the cost. Maybe if I start small it won’t be too much. Great video, thank you!

[@guystokes454]

You have to find your audience, now that doesn't guarantee sales, but it helps. You also don't have to go with these publishing companies in this video. I'd say start small, find a local printing company, you might be able to do some work with them, that they give you a discount on prints (it's worth a shot). When you do find a printing company, apply the rest of the video to your scenario. Find out what works for you in your budget. Hope this helps!

[@sarahmae8991]

@@guystokes454 Thank. you for the reply and the advice, I appreciate it. I will definitely look into local printing companies to see what they have to offer, maybe make a deal. :)

[@the5as1marchingarts]

Do you recommend Edition one if a person just wants to make a high quality photo book for themselves or a few family members? If not who would you go with for making about 5 quality photo books?

[@omaristephens2143]

No. I would go with Blurb for single digit counts of books - that's their bread and butter. According to the FAQ on Edition One's website, their minimum order is $500, and they charge you for setup costs. For Blurb, those costs are built into your price (or at least, they were when I used them for my book project) I'd probably start looking away from Blurb once you get above ~30 units.

[@the5as1marchingarts]

@@omaristephens2143 thanks so much!! I’m just seeing this now and I really appreciate your suggestion!!

[@Kayakamuy]

Very pretty

[@hyprz]

How many books did you order? Had to be way more than 500🙃

[@AndyDay]

Great video, by the way! But please don't use bubblewrap. There's no excuse given the alternatives!

[@sarahmae8991]

What is wrong with bubble wrap?! It is a fun popping toy for children, they love it. 😂

[@yeohi]

@@sarahmae8991 enironmentally unfriendly?

[@richardnugent7035]

ER, A useful video. Well done overall. But I have a few comments that might be worthwhile for your viewers. First, beware of putting too many images in the book and too many images in each two-page spread (a temptation to keep the page-count and therefore the cost down). It is overload for the reader and dilutes the impact of your really good images. Surely, you don’t think every one of the images is first rate? Why include them? If you have a high number of worthy photos, split them into more than one book. Or, just do a real hard edit (“kill your darlings”). Hiding one’s gems among the dross is counterproductive to building your reputation. Second, the cookie-cutter layout is also boring. Repeating the one-, two-, three-, or four-to-page pattern layout (even by mixing the sequence) gets tedious, especially in a book approaching 100 pages. Take the time to acquire some design skills and apply them to make the pages interesting…surprise the viewer rather than bore them. You might suggest that your viewers review photobooks by publishers such as Aperture, Phaidon, Prestel, etc to see how pages can be laid out to display images to their best effect. Layout is as important as the quality of the images in making an appealing and successful book that captures and holds the viewers’ interest. Keep up the good work. Cheers.

[@erickdabandan76]

I just want to make 5-10. LOL. I just want to give it away.