creating my own photo bookmarks

a year ago i kept getting the same instagram ads for transparent photo bookmarks. i was drawn to how the photos were printed on a translucent material (with a similar look to slide film) and how this reacted with sunlight, leaving delicate shadows on the book pages. when they arrived i was left disappointed. the card felt flimsy and the photos were so blurred.

i was so disheartened and wondered if i could make myself. it could make for a great way to showcase some of my photography rather than selling prints.

i had deliberated with the idea of using positive slide film, however i thought it would make me too conscious of being wasteful. having too many complicated steps, or even the inherent unpredictability of film, would draw out the process and make it more difficult to achieve the end goal.

i narrowed down some recent photos into two ‘themes’ - taken from my Big Film Photowalk and others digitally taken on my fujifilm x100t around the city.

i wasn’t 100% sure about the outcome and i had a lot of self doubt. i gave some to friends and family who expressed positivity but still i couldn’t quite knock that feeling of imposter syndrome trickling through. not only the bookmark idea but the notion of being a hobby photographer now suddenly trying to sell my work.

Priya encouraged me to take a few of the bookmarks whilst she tabled at the Norwich Zine and Book Fair - an event hosted by the lovely guys at Salo Press.

i had an absolutely great time there.

any nerves instantly melted away as people gathered round our table. being at an in-person event helps so much - i was physically there to see faces light up, how people were holding the bookmarks up, exploring the photos glimmering in the light. a lot of the visitors expressed how much they liked the concept, and i even had fellow photographers praise my work! it’s one thing i’ve noticed is that photogs on substack, and in real life, are nowhere near as scary and judgemental as i thought. it helps to know which platforms are ‘safe’ to share, and it’s definitely nice to build a community - not only for sharing your own work but for seeing and interacting with others’ too.

the event squashed any doubts i had. i have since made a few more batches ready to sell at this years 2026 Book and Zine Fair, alongside my very own photobook