The Magic of Photo Books
There’s something undeniably magical about holding a photograph in your hands. In today’s digital world, it’s all too easy to let our photos linger on hard drives or sit idly on social media, only to be forgotten over time. But when you see your work transformed into a physical piece of art? That’s a completely different experience—one that every photographer should embrace.
Recently, I received a thoughtful gift from Holly: a copy of Human Nature, a photo book by James Popsys. If you’re not familiar with James, he’s an extraordinary photographer who has been a huge inspiration to me. His work masterfully blends breathtaking landscapes with humor and storytelling, a style I deeply admire.
Photo books like ‘Human Nature’ have a way of reigniting my creativity. Whenever I’m feeling stuck or uninspired, browsing through the work of photographers I look up to helps me see things from a new perspective. It reminds me of why I fell in love with photography in the first place. There’s something about seeing another artist’s journey captured in print that feels both grounding and motivating.
In the book, James included a personal message that really resonated with me. It was a reminder that no matter where you are in your photography journey, you’re not alone. We all face moments of doubt or creative block, but the best way to move forward is simply to grab your camera and start shooting—even if you feel like nothing worthwhile will come of it. The process itself is often more important than the outcome.
But inspiration doesn’t just come from consuming others’ work. As photographers, we owe it to ourselves to print our own photos more often. There’s something transformative about turning a digital image into a tangible object—something you can hold, frame, or even gift to someone. Printing gives your work the respect and permanence it deserves.
That’s why I’ve decided to make printing a bigger part of my creative journey. Recently I bought my first photo printer - the Canon PIXMA Pro 200. I’m really interested in learning everything from choosing the perfect paper to achieving the best print quality. I’ll be sharing my experiences and insights in a series of videos, so if you’re curious about printing or want to follow along, be sure to stay tuned. I have also opened up a LIMITED EDITION PRINT STORE here with some of my favourite images. Each run will be very limited!
Whether it’s printing your own work or immersing yourself in a beautiful photo book, small actions like these can spark immense creativity. They remind us why we create—why we pick up our cameras, experiment with new techniques, and strive to improve. Photography is about so much more than pixels on a screen. It’s about creating something tangible, something lasting.
So, if you’re feeling uninspired, I encourage you to try one of two things: pick up a photo book from a photographer you admire, or print one of your own images. You might be surprised at the inspiration you uncover.