Printed Matter and Aperture are pleased to present an exhibition of shortlisted titles from the 2023 Paris Photo–Aperture PhotoBook Awards—an annual celebration of the photobook’s contributions to the evolving narrative of photography. Now in its eleventh year, the award recognizes excellence in three major categories of photobook publishing: First PhotoBook, PhotoBook of the Year, and Photography Catalog of the Year.

For the 2023 competition, the awards received 961 books from sixty-one countries around the world, including stand-out entries from Nepal, New Zealand, Denmark, and Japan. In addition to discussions around the individual entries, this year’s shortlist jury took time to discuss the existential: what does it mean to distill down such an enormous number of books, in search of “the best.” As shortlist jury member Deirdre Donohue stated, “I think about how many people are going to care about this in the future; I think about them being in libraries—and that makes me wonder, will I care about this if I pick it up again in five years; what future potential does this have in the world.” Tamara Berghmans observed that the shared goal of the final jury was to “select photobooks that are relevant today—choosing some books that celebrate the pleasure of looking, and others that offer us deeper insights into the lesser-known histories, or to the deeply personal journeys of an individual photographer.” The resulting shortlist—and selected winning titles—represent the possibilities of book making across a broad spectrum of resources, intentions, and storytelling strategies.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 20th from 3-5PM at Printed Matter Chelsea. Many nominated titles will be available for sale in limited quantities. Remaining stock will be available for online sales beginning Monday, January 22.

Aperture is a nonprofit publisher that leads conversations around photography worldwide. From its base in New York, Aperture connects global audiences and supports artists through its acclaimed quarterly magazine, books, exhibitions, digital platforms, public programs, limited-edition prints, and awards. Established in 1952 to advance “creative thinking, significantly expressed in words and photographs,” Aperture champions photography’s vital role in nurturing curiosity and encouraging a more just, tolerant society.

For more information, visit aperture.org.

Paris Photo is the world’s largest international art fair dedicated to the photographic medium. An annual event for collectors, professionals, artists, and enthusiasts, Paris Photo offers its visitors the most qualitative and diverse selection of artworks alongside an ambitious public program with leading figures in the field.