We are thrilled to present a curated selection of photography books to inspire you and yours this holiday season. Since our inception in 2014, our book collection has evolved into something truly special, featuring both new and rare book titles for photographers and admirers alike.
At Leica Store San Francisco, we’re photographers who find inspiration in books and cherish the art of bookmaking. It’s our way of connecting with our audience and fellow enthusiasts who value photography’s tangible aspects. There’s an irreplaceable quality in creating and experiencing photography in physical form, beyond the digital realm. Photobooks are the tangible visual narratives crafted with the tools of time we so greatly enjoy. We believe our curated selection reflects this appreciation for the tactile nature of the medium.
This past year, Leica Store San Francisco hosted numerous book events for various publishers, including talks, signings, and launches. These events were insightful, inspiring, and at the conclusion of each, participants left with signed books that engaged, inspired, and created conversation. Beyond our events, we regularly stocked new titles by countless small publishers and artists from all over the world.
We hope that with the new year approaching, you might consider picking up a new book and if you are a photographer, consider making one of your own. Happy holidays!
Staff Picks
Lucien Liu:
Two of my favorite books published in 2024 are The Crisis Tapes by Charlie Simokaitis (TIS Books, 2024) and Dogbreath by Matthew Genitempo (Trespasser, 2024).
For a long time, Charlie’s project The Crisis Tapes appeared to me in fragmented glimpses. I understood that it was about his daughter’s gradual loss of vision, but I couldn’t help wondering how he would weave these everyday fragments into a cohesive story. When I finally saw the completed book, the shifting and dimming images seemed to click together like pieces of a puzzle, forming into a beautiful picture. Though silent, these images felt like an invitation to experience his life over the past few years. They aren’t truly silent; they rather resonate with a powerful and enduring echo conveyed through their visual impact.
After Jasper and Mother of Dogs, I was eager to see where Matthew’s work would go next. In my view, Dogbreath approaches visual storytelling in a way that’s entirely different from his previous two books. In Jasper, the vast empty spaces allowed me for an expansive sense of imagination. This openness has been replaced with a more tangible, personal perspective in Dogbreath. Screen imagery and blurry visuals make for an experience that feels more intimate and immersive.
Samantha Anderson:
Two of my favorite books from our collection are Venus & Mercury by Viviane Sassen and Paraíso by Emiliano Zúñiga Hernández. Both works are rich in complexity and mystery, presented in a striking and large format. Each challenges traditional portraiture in its own distinct way, encouraging viewers to blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
Picks by Wayne Serrano:
I believe my book preferences are an eclectic mix based on my own photography; photojournalism, documentary, reportage, editorial, corporate and portraiture. Appreciating the presentation and vision of others’ work and enjoying their perception during the making of a photograph.
Although, visually the work of Garry Winogrand and Ren Hang are quite diverse they both, highly, reflect the vision of each photographer in both subtle and overt styles.
Alex Ramos:
Two standout publications in our book collection that inspire me are B-Sides Box Sets (various photographers) and Madres Terra by Carlos Saavedra. These special titles transcend standard book design to create a unique, tangible experience for the viewer.
B-Sides Box Sets feature photography by renowned photographers such as Todd Hido and Vanessa Winship, offering a fun and engaging way to stay inspired. Delivered as unbound cards, these sets have been available at our bookshop for years. I’ve heard that people use them in various creative ways—laying them out for inspiration, experimenting with sequencing, giving them away to friends, and even framing them in grids.
I first discovered Madres Terra through my friend Luis Cobelo. This book stands apart with its dark, abstract cover and a small metal weight attached to the book by a string. Each B&W photograph in the sequence holds a certain gravity, portraying women half-buried in the ground, gazing from side to side or into the sky. The book’s binding allows the metal weight to slip between the pages, encouraging the reader to tear and rip upward, revealing hidden images of these women’s sons—young men tragically murdered by the Colombian Army for financial bonuses.Both B-Sides Box Sets and Madres Terra exemplify publications that push the boundaries of traditional book formats, inviting viewers into an intimate and dynamic experience with photography.
Carlo Velasquez:
Seeing Yorgos’s on-set photography and portraiture is truly inspiring. Not only does he share behind the scene photos from his film Poor Things, but his mix of different mediums and knowledge of film photography translates to his cinematography effortlessly, creating a distinct visual style that is uniquely his own. This is one book that best showcases a mix of color and black & white photography.
Friedlander is great at photographing everything and anything. He has amassed a large archive of photos that range on various subjects that have turned into iconic bodies of work. I love how “The Little Screens” focuses on an era of American pop culture on television and gives us a glimpse into his environments across his travels. It’s a great example of photographing your present day and just how quickly time passes.
Signed books from past events:
Artist Edition Books With Signed Prints:
Other books we think you might like:
