PHOTOGRAPHY
Coffee Table Book Photography and Conceptual Imagery
Great coffee table books all have one thing in common – captivating imagery. And being typically image led, the photography and other imagery in a coffee table book is arguably more important than anything else.
The majority of clients who commission us to create a coffee table book have at least some pre-existing imagery. Whether photography from previous photoshoots, licensed from image libraries, from historical archives or, in the case of artists, created by themselves. Depending on a specific book brief this is sometimes all that’s needed. But behind most of the coffee table books we create, there is a wider, overarching book concept, something that elevates a brand beyond mere products, services, facts or artworks.
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The role of conceptual imagery
Expressing a coffee table book concept and telling a brand’s story emotively often requires supporting imagery that is more conceptual in nature. Either conceptual in terms of the actual photograph selection, or conceptual in the way it is used alongside existing photography or other imagery.
You don’t need to understand the book concept above to see how powerful and evocative conceptual imagery can be. Only once a book concept is established is it possible to conceptualise coffee table book photography
in this way.
Our book concept stage includes a mood-boarding exercise exploring broad design themes and creative approach. It is during this stage that we visualise different ways for how a book concept might be expressed. This is often done through a combination of a clients pre-existing photography (primary imagery) and other more conceptual photography (secondary imagery). At this stage we are less concerned with final image selections and practicalities surrounding where the conceptual images come from, and much more focussed on finding beautiful, evocative ways to express the book concept through imagery.
Image sourcing and budgeting
Obviously at some stage practicality and imagery budget must be considered. We are very mindful of this and will always propose multiple imagery concepts to suit various budgets. Assuming more image assets are needed, there are broadly three options – an art directed photoshoot, image sourcing or commissioned illustrations/image makers. In our experience as professional book makers, some of the best coffee table books we have created include a combination of all three. Concepts may well also include an element of photography retouching
to work effectively.
Coffee table book photographs and image makers
We can also assist with sourcing stock photography and image licensing, whether that is from well-known image libraries such as Getty Images, Alamy or Camera Press, free image libraries such as Unsplash, Pexels or Pixabay or more specialist libraries such as Science Photolibrary or Gap Photos.
Stock photography has a reputation for looking very staged and obviously like stock. However, careful and meticulous image searching can turn up some fantastic results and there’s absolutely no harm in using stock photography or other types of stock imagery in a supporting role. Sourcing good stock images is a significant investment of time, but often necessary when a commissioned photoshoot is out of the question due to either practicality or budget.
The role of augmented reality in coffee table books
Although we are print designers at heart, we are also great enthusiasts of emerging technologies, and in particular digital art. Through the use of Augmented Reality (AR), we can bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds to create a spell-binding coffee table book that can come to life with animation and sound.
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If you are considering commissioning a custom coffee table book, we would love to help. Please complete the enquiry form at the bottom of this page and we will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
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ABOUT ANDREWS WORLDWIDE
Andrews is the creative and brand communications agency of luxury PR & design virtuoso – Shawn Andrews.
Based in London and Kuala Lumpur but operating globally for more than twenty years, Shawn’s talent delivers unequalled and beautiful luxury design solutions. Services include public relations, branding, research, website design, digital marketing, publishing & custom book design, print design and bespoke packaging.
Andrews’s mission starts and stops with its creativity
and has been harnessed by royalty, UHNWI and
family businesses across the world.
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If you wish to discuss a new project please complete the form below or email a brief outline of your requirements to hello@andrewsworldwide.com. If you would prefer to discuss over the phone please drop us an email in the first instance and we can arrange a mutually convenient time for a call.
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