Making photo books has become one of the most satisfying ways for me to share and preserve my photography. Over the past few years, I’ve experimented with a variety of online services that offer different styles, price points, and levels of customization. In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned through hands-on experience with several of the most popular platforms.
Shutterfly
Shutterfly is widely known and very easy to use. It’s great for beginners or anyone who wants a fast, straightforward process. The themes and templates are plentiful, but customization is somewhat limited. Their frequent discounts make it affordable, but print quality can be inconsistent.
Popsa
Popsa is a mobile-first app that’s convenient and quick. It’s geared toward casual users who want to create books from their phone’s camera roll. It’s ideal for travel or family albums, but not well suited for fine art photography or professional projects.
Mixbook
Mixbook stands out for its balance between ease of use and creative freedom. The editing interface is intuitive, and the quality of both printing and materials is solid. It’s my go-to for personal photo essays or thematic collections where I want a little more control over layout and design.
Lulu
Lulu is a self-publishing platform that offers more flexibility in terms of book size and paper types. It’s geared more toward authors and artists who want to produce books for sale or distribution. I used Lulu for a small-run artist book and was impressed with the professional finish.
Saal Digital
Saal Digital, based in Germany, offers exceptional print quality—especially for those who want their photographs to really shine. The paper options and binding feel premium. The software is less intuitive than others, but if quality is your priority, it’s worth the learning curve.
Blurb (In Progress)
During my presentation, someone from the audience recommended I try Blurb. I’ve since begun exploring it and will be updating this section once I complete my first project with them. So far, I’m intrigued by the ability to integrate with Adobe InDesign and Lightroom.
About the Author
Carlos Talbott is a photographer based in New Orleans, originally from Honduras. He has exhibited his work in several solo and group shows, including Unleashed (2024) and Double Exposure (2025) at the New Orleans Photo Alliance, and Refreshing America at the Contemporary Arts Center. Carlos is passionate about both digital and analog photography and enjoys exploring ways to present his work in tangible formats like photo books.
Follow him on Instagram: @carlostalbott