Behind the Scenes of Creating a Photography Zine | How I Made Small Growth
Small Growth, our first zine!
We recently released our first zine: Small Growth! In this post, I’m sharing how to create a photography zine and offering a behind-the-scenes look at making a self-published photo zine from start to finish.
You might be wondering, "What is a zine"? Zines are DIY, self-published booklets created for passion rather than profit. They're usually shorter than a regular photobook that you might find through a publisher.
Why did I make a zine? And what was the goal?
Well...that's what this post is for. Here's a look behind the curtain at how the zine came together, how the concept evolved, and why it is structured the way that it is.
How I Chose the Theme for My Photography Zine
Every zine needs a center.
For me, the original focus was simple. I wanted to document my early journey into photography. I was learning about exposure, composition, film scanning, and how to actually see light rather than just looking at it.
At the beginning, I thought this would be a technical project. A collection of images that showed improvement over time.
But as I reviewed my photos and journal entries, something else became clear. The real theme was not photography. It was attention. It was learning to slow down. It was becoming more aware of small moments and, in return, becoming more self-aware.
This shift wasn't fast, but it changed how the zine was structured.
How Long It Took to Create This Photography Zine
Some zines are quick. A burst of energy that leaves the creator dazed, but with a finished project.
This one was not that. Definitely not.
Small Growth took roughly two years from the first idea to the final version that went live on the site.
There were long stretches where I did nothing with it. I would print a photo or two, feel unsure about them, and let the project sit. Then months later, I would revisit it with new eyes.
In photography, it's often good practice to return from a shoot, download your photos, and then step away for a few hours. You return to your photos with fresh eyes. The times when I set the zine down served the same purpose.
The person who started this zine is not the same person who finished it. My photography improved. My editing improved. My understanding of the theme improved.
If I had rushed it, it would have been a completely different project, and a lot less personal.
The Zine Layout Process: Printing, Sequencing, and Rearranging
Small test prints used while building the sequence of the zine.
I didn't design this zine entirely on a screen.
I printed small versions of the photos. I laid them out on a table. I rearranged them over and over again. I grouped them by theme, then regrouped them.
Some images felt strong individually but weak in sequence. Others only made sense when placed next to a specific photo.
I would:
Print a batch
Arrange them in order
Step back
Remove three
Add two
Swap the first and last
Repeat
There is something important about physically handling the images. When they are small prints in your hands, you experience pacing differently. You notice rhythm. You notice repetition. You notice when something feels too heavy too early.
I also printed a full black-and-white rough draft on standard copy paper. No fancy stock. No polish.
That rough draft was crucial. There's something grounding about holding the first copy of a personal project.
How the Theme Evolved From Photography Practice to Mindfulness
Originally, this project was about technical improvement. Before and after. Early work versus more developed work.
Over time, I realized this was a little too...simple. It didn't represent how I felt when looking through the images.
Instead, I leaned into the realization that growth is usually small and often invisible.
Photography taught me to notice:
How light hits a wall at the end of the day
Texture in desert plants
Negative space and shadows
Subtle color shifts
That awareness started showing up outside of photography. My efforts at mindfulness were influencing my photography and vice versa.
That is when the title Small Growth revealed itself.
It is not about a dramatic transformation. It is about incremental change.
The zine reflects that shift.
First full black and white rough draft printed on standard copy paper.
Zine Storytelling and Pacing: Why the Structure Matters
Pacing was intentional.
The zine is paced to represent not only my journey into photography and personal growth, but also the realization that growth can take place at home. It doesn't require a journey to distant vistas.
The zine starts right outside our front door with my early photos. It then moves through several phases, including my head-first dive into film photography. It was important that I showed my attempts, mistakes, and misses as well as the photos I'm proud of. A journey always has bumps.
I won't tell all of the reasons behind the zine. I think a goal of photography should be to evoke emotions or thoughts from the viewer. It should be a personal journey, just like my journey to create the images.
I'll leave that to you.
What I Learned From Creating a Self-Published Photography Zine
Building this zine taught me a few practical things:
Print your photos. Even small photos are special.
Sequencing can elevate an otherwise okay image.
Let projects sit. Distance improves clarity.
The theme may not reveal itself immediately. Don't force a theme.
It also reinforced something bigger.
Creative projects are mirrors. I thought I was documenting my growth as a photographer. I was actually documenting personal growth.
And that realization only came from spending time with the work.
Want to Experience It for Yourself? Download the Small Growth photography zine
If this process resonates with you, Small Growth is available as a digital download in the shop.
The download includes the complete zine exactly as it was designed, with the intentional sequencing and pacing described above. You can view it on your tablet, computer, or print your own copy if you prefer something physical in your hands.
You can purchase and instantly download your copy through the store. Your support directly funds future zines and photography projects.
Thank you for reading and for supporting independent art.
Check our other blogs for more hiking inspiration.
If you’re more interested in the images than words, you can explore my portfolio for more desert light and mountain textures.
