Self Publish, Be Happy
Self Publish, Be Happy was founded by Bruno Ceschel in 2010 to promote a new generation of photographers and self-publishers. Through its activities in publishing, the curation of exhibitions and events, and education it has helped to support photography culture around the world. Shortly after the financial crash, at a time when the digital revolution was really taking hold, it became apparent to Ceschel that the traditional publishing industry in which he was working wasn’t going to last. Looking for answers he discovered an international community of young artists making ground-breaking DIY photography books and zines. A new visual culture was emerging and it needed a platform on which people could engage with it: hence he founded Self Publish, Be Happy. Over the years Self Publish, Be Happy has supported a network of emerging photographers around the world, amassed a huge following, partnered with leading institutions such as Tate Modern, Foam and Aperture, and expanded its remit to match an ever changing visual culture. It now comprises a publishing house, a library of more than 3,000 self-published titles, an education programme, and an experimental creative studio to direct and produce state-of-the-art visual content and socially engaged events.
