Our 12 Favorite Photography Books of 2021

If you’ve ever wondered which artists inspire our WIRED photo department, wait no longer. We’ve asked our award-winning team of photo editors to compile a list of their favorite photography books from 2021. (Most were released in 2021; a few you can preorder for delivery in early 2022.)

The list covers everything from skateboard culture and horror-film inspired food to NASA’s awe-inspiring objects used for space exploration. We know photography books can be pricey, but they’re worth the investment. If you’re someone who can’t find the time to commit to a novel but still craves that sublime experience of being transported to Wyoming as a woman in the early 1900s or to a Black rodeo in modern-day California, then a book of gorgeous photos might be the perfect way to treat yourself.

Be sure to see our other buying guides for books, like our winter reading list, our gift guide for technology books, and our list of the best cookbooks of 2021.