National Geographic Lauching Photography Imprint August 5, 2008
National Geographic is launching
a high-end photography imprint called Focal Point. The imprint will showcase some of the fabulous images in its archives. There will be four books this fall to start.
"We really want to maintain and have a greater leadership position in photography," said Nina Hoffman, president of National Geographic Books. Leah Bendavid-Val, director of photography publishing for National Geographic Books, said the books in the Focal Point series "will appeal to connoisseurs, professionals, collectors, serious students of photojournalism and all lovers of photography."
As such, the books are moderately high-priced; the fall list includes three $40 hardcovers—Windows of the Soul: My Journeys in the Muslim World by Alexandra Avakian, The Life of a Photograph by Sam Abell and Odysseys and Photographs by Maynard Owen Williams, Volkmar Wentzel, Luis Marden and Thomas Abercrombie—as well as a $75 tome: Reza War + Peace by Reza. Hoffman said that while the fine art photography market is small, "it is at the heart of National Geographic. We want to stake a claim, and we do in the magazine world. We want the same recognition in books."
The printings will be in the 10,000 - 15,000 copy range. There will also be lectures and exhibits to back up the books. We think they will definitely sell and they'll also make wonderful gifts.
