Norman Seeff Captures Early Moments of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe in New York
LensCulture has compiled a comprehensive list of over 50 photobooks that stood out in 2025, curated by photography experts and enthusiasts worldwide.The collection spans a remarkable diversity of styles, formats, and cultural perspectives, including self-published zines, retrospectives, innovative multi-book sets, and long-term projects capturing daily life, protest movements, or the intricacies of human relationships.
Featured photographers range from Angela Christofilou documenting London protests with empathy and depth, to Coreen Simpson, whose portraits and diverse visual work are elegantly showcased.
Other notable works include Judith Nangala Crispin’s fusion of Aboriginal traditions and printmaking, Kazunari Suzuki’s analysis of Japan’s visual clichés, and Co Rentmeester’s documentation of historical events redefining visual memory.
Additional highlights explore themes of memory, identity, intimacy, and the intersection of culture and place, such as A Yin’s portrayal of the Buryat community, Rosie Harriet Ellis’ personal reconstruction of relationships, and Filippo Barbero’s rural Italian landscapes.
The photobooks exemplify meticulous attention to design, emotional resonance, and cultural storytelling, illustrating the transformative power of photography as both art and historical record.