Designing & Publishing Your First Photo Book with Jasper Johal

Class Overview

In this immersive 2-hour session, veteran photographer Jasper Johal draws on decades of experience shooting editorial work, fashion, travel, dance, architecture, and fine art — and his hands-on experience crafting photobooks, catalogs, calendars, greeting cards and limited-edition prints — to guide you through the entire process of designing, refining, and publishing your first photographic book.

Using a slide show rich with example spreads and projects from his own archives, Jasper breaks down complex concepts into clear, practical steps you can apply immediately to your own photo book project. Jasper provides insights from his own experiences supervising print runs and doing press checks.

Jasper will also touch on other print products photographers can produce, such as Calendars, Greeting Cards and Posters.

What You’ll Learn

1. Concept & Vision

• How to choose the story you want your photo book to tell.
• Defining theme, mood, and intent before you touch a layout.
• Pairing images with narrative flow for emotional impact.

2. Image Selection & Sequencing

• Choosing the right shots — quality and cohesion matters.
• Building flow: pacing chapters, transitions between series, and visual rhythm.
• Common pitfalls in image curation and how to avoid them.

3. Layout & Design Fundamentals

• Page design principles: balance, white space, grid usage, and typography.
• Tools of the trade: InDesign, Blurb BookWright, and other layout platforms.
• Designing spreads that elevate not just show your photos.

4. Proofing & Print Prep

• Checking color, contrast, and image resolution for print.
• Understanding proofs: digital vs. hard copy proofs.
• Managing corrections without costly mistakes.

5. Printing Options & Publication

• Pros and cons of digital, offset, and limited edition printing.
• How to work with services like Blurb and industry print houses.
• Editing for publication standards, binding choices, and paper stock.

6. Q&A period to answer all your technical and creative decisions 

questions 

Who This Is For

This class is ideal for:

• Photographers ready to turn portfolios into a cohesive printed body of work.
• Creatives curious about publishing beyond digital portfolios.
• Anyone who wants to understand both the art and the craft of photo book design.

Leave with a clear roadmap for creating and publishing your first photo book project.

Instructor Bio — Jasper Johal

Jasper Johal is a professional photographer, designer, and visual storyteller whose career spans decades of creating images and transforming them into finished printed publications. In addition to photographing fashion, dance, travel, architecture, and fine-art subjects, he has extensive real-world experience overseeing the design and production of photographic books and commercial print materials from concept through final press.

Jasper has directed and supervised the creation of photobooks, exhibition catalogs, calendars, greeting cards, posters, and apparel lookbooks and clothing catalogs—guiding projects through editing, sequencing, layout design, proofing, color correction, paper selection, and press checks. His hands-on involvement with printers, publishers, and commercial clients gives him a practical understanding of how photographic work moves from screen to page to finished object.

As an instructor, Jasper is known for clear, experience-based teaching that demystifies the publishing process and empowers photographers to take control of their own printed work. He helps students understand both the creative and technical sides of photographic bookmaking.

Jasper Johal website:  jasperPHOTO.com