UNLIMITED
PHOTO BOOK CREATIONS
ALBUM,
PORTFOLIO, PRESS BOOK AND SCHOOL YEAR BOOK
HOLLYWOOD, CA - It's
your life, your memories, your artistic endeavors, so put it in a place
to cherish, reflect, and protect all your precious photographs. A "Master
Book Maker" takes you on a path of discovering your own personal
statement, in a "Photo Book."
Carlos Benitez, president and founder
of "Global Media Network, LLC" (Photobook
Solutions and Supplies) of Hollywood, California (www.bookblocks.us)
has spent the last few years working towards his goal of offering to
the public, a new approach to that out-dated photo album.
You know, the one everybody owns, that is collecting dust with the plastic
inserts, that cause the pictures to be always crooked and often fall
out!
After some research into what else was available and taking a good look
at the functions of photo books and portfolios and how they could be
designed better, Carlos was on his way to modernizing
the photo album. "I came out with another solution-hence the name
"PHOTO BOOK SOLUTIONS," says Carlos.
"As a professional photographer for 10 years, I was never satisfied
with what was available in any camera store to present my hard work
and market it with confidence," Carlos explains. "Out of necessity,
I started investigating and developing a new product. I soon realized,
it was in demand by people looking for a customized presentation, and
there was no place that offered this service commercially."
Creating a New Concept
Carlos looked into channels of manufacturing and started combining different
cover materials, laminate papers, glues, and other book components,
to offer a variety of photo book solutions. His knowledge as a photographer
has prepared him for the photographic content of the photo books, but
he had to learn book binding and in doing so, he developed a quicker,
easier method of binding a book, using less materials. There was also
the problem of the gutter, in between the pages, that interrupted the
visual presentation of large pictures and panoramic views. Finding a
better solution, Carlos developed the repositionable lay flat
book block system to make lay flat flush mount pages,
of which he has a patent pending. It eliminated the gutter and allowed
the photographs to be viewed flat, in their entirety, and you can now
place them inside the photo books without the plastic cover, which totally
detracts from the color and quality of the pictures.
A New Product & New Location
Well, "Photo Book Solutions" came to be Carlos pet project
and now he has a new showroom in Hollywood, right in the heart of the
movie industry and major businesses, at 6585 Santa Monica. Boulevard.
He has been at this new location since May. 2009. "Reflecting on
this past year, I'm pleasantly amazed at the response I'm receiving
for photo books from some very high-profile people," says Carlos.
Photographers, models, actors, fine art artists, scriptwriters, directors,
producers, and celebrities are having unique, customized books designed
and used as marketing tools. Recently, a book was produced for the Jackson
family, in remembrance, of the late Michael Jackson. Jeff Hamilton,
a noted artist and leather jacket designer for the clothing manufacture
"Guess" had a beautifully leather crafted photo book made
of his leather designs. The book is 16"'x20", weighing 20
pounds, and incorporates 70 photographs. It will be on display in his
showroom and art galleries. He then requested another 40 smaller photo
books as gifts for some of the celebrities, like Mick Jagger, Michael
Jordan, and Mohammed Ali, whose images he has reproduced in his distinctive
art form. A prominent architect, Jim Sams had a photo book made of a
beautiful home he designed, which he gave it to his client to as a token
of his appreciation. He plans to continue this practice for future clients.
A birthday photo book for the movie star, Denzel Washington was the
largest photo book Carlos has successfully attempted. It came with its
own set of structural difficulties, for which he had to find solutions.
The book had 150 pages with photographs featuring a lot of famous celebrities,
close friends, and family. The book was so thick that the pages couldn't
be cut and finished with his cutter. The only solution was to cut the
book in half. Carlos comments, "each book is a learning experience
that makes me even more qualified to conquer any obstacle that comes
my way. They were so happy with the results that they ordered 2 more
smaller books." Photo Book Solutions also coordinates with photo
labs on a day to day basis, which led to other birthday books that will
be presented to a list of celebrities. An art student submitted a school
project and received high grades with the custom-bound portfolio he
commissioned Photo Book Solutions to make. The instructor, from "Art
Center College of Design" in Pasadena, Calif. was very interested,
leading him to include a tour of Photo Book Solution's showroom as part
of the class's curriculum.
Growth & Expansion
Next, on to "Photo
LA," and the19th annual international photographic
art exposition. "Photo LA" is one of the foremost art and
photo based events in the country representing some of the finest galleries
in the world. They accept work of only the highest standards and Carlos
is proud to say that they were evaluated and admitted as photo book
exhibitors.
He took this opportunity and collaborated with writer and art critic,
Phil Tarley, to launch a new line of art, archival photo books. A separate
division of Global Media Network, LLC, "COLLECTOR EDITIONS"
(www.collectoreditions.us)
will be targeting limited editions of fine art photography and other
original work, both vintage and contemporary.
Collector Editions makes available for the first time, all the latest
technical innovations using acid-free archival materials, tear resistant
pages, and French folds used to store collections of vintage prints
without having to permanently mount them. The books can be custom-tailored
to the artist's vision, becoming an objet d' art itself. The book fits
nicely into its clam shell case, so the book is protected and the pages
can be turned without taking the book out of its shell.
Four noted artists were selected to present the "Master Collector
Editions" series to other artists, galleries, and collectors. Lori
Nix (chromogenic color), Michael Palladino (sepia pigment), Arthur Tress
(b&w pigment), and Phil Tarley (color assemblages on plexi-glass).
Every person that came into the booth was given a pair of white, cotton
gloves to handle the photo art books, like they wear in the shop while
working with the photo books. On them the logo and web address was stamped.
Along with these high profile clients, their fields of expertise, and
the energy they emulate, Photo Book Solution's showroom is becoming
a hob nob of the whose-who. A meeting place of very creative minds,
with very interesting projects and innovative solutions, to the way
we look at things. That's what excites Carlos the most! He might have
to have a refreshment bar, so they can relax and enjoy each others company,
while in the background he and his staff are busy constructing their
books.
"I feel really proud these artists have entrusted me with their
material so I'm able to demonstrate my expertise," says Carlos.
"Just think, the first impression of evaluation, is the visual
assessment of the cover of any book, before the contents are revealed!"
Carlos continues, "I recall the moment I became interested in designing
books. A friend was going on a trip to Italy and his itinerary included
the Vatican. I asked him to bring me back a bible from this auspicious
place. Well, it so happened the Pope was present that day and "His
Holiness" actually blessed my bible. When I opened the package,
I had in my hands the most beautifully bound book I had ever seen. It
was like a jewel. The leather cover and silky pages were eloquently
decorated, embossed in gold leaf. It was a work of art. It instilled
in me, a flash of inspiration!"
The photo book was conceived and Carlos began a process of development.
A Photo Book Creation embodies the assemblage of high quality photographs
on archival photo paper integrating the technologies of Chromogenic,
Dye Sublimation, Pigment Giclee Archival prints and Canon laser technology.
Prints are mounted on lay flat book blocks with decorative end sheets
and bands. Choose from a variety of covers in a selection of materials
like bonded leather, suedes, acrylics, and metals. You can customize
the cover and inside pages with images, logos, and messages from our
design library of digital design templates. Logo debosssing and foil
stamping are available, as well as, archival boxes to protect your photo
books, so they will last a lifetime.
Available Products
The photo book is a product for anyone who has wonderful
memories that they want to cherish as keepsakes. A "bride to be"
planning her wedding albums will like the special package that includes
different book sizes for the wedding party. The school yearbooks and
graduation photo albums come with a special box with a place for the
school ring. The photo book covers for sports books are make in the
materials that match the texture of the sports ball. People in the entertainment
industry like models, actors, scriptwriters, designers etc. require
a portfolio to present their work. Photographers and fine artists need
books for visual presentation to present to potential clients. There
are so many different situations and events that require a professional,
customized photo book that can compete in an aggressive, competitive,
progressive market.
Photo Book Solutions also offers "Press
Books" that you can find in any book store which are even more
affordable and can be adopted to a variety of presentations. You can
order individual books or books in bulk at extra savings. Since this
is a local company, customers can come into the store and discuss their
projects and see the progression, which eliminates a lot of errors and
time that could delay sales. They can work with your images in any format.
If you're sending an email, JPEG or TIFF files should be used and a
PDF file is required for pagination, or you need to provide the page
numbers on each file. Books can be printed up to 20"x26"
"Photo Book & Finishing Workshops"
are available to teach photographers and photo labs how to bring new
profits with existing equipment and you can purchase equipment to start
your own photo book business. The photographic and binding equipment
in the showroom, like a paper cutter, heat press, roller laminator and
album foil stamper & debosser, that are needed to make photo books,
are also available to professional photographers and the average consumer
for "Do It Yourself Photo Books."
Carlos is constantly working on developing new "Photo Book Solutions."
He is always seeking a more convenient method of manufacturing and he
has new, innovative products on the horizon. He has already revolutionized
the photo book industry and sees his product as part of the evolution
of the 21rst century. He believes that everyone is here to accomplish
something in life that they can contribute to the world. "My knowledge
and experiences in the photographic industry have led me on the path
of giving people an option in preserving the past for future generations,"
says Carlos.
Carlos Benitez has found his nichte' in an ever- changing, digitized
world. He has upgraded that unpretentious photo album to a customized
photo book that is an unique representation of the client's personality
and needs. When they start designing their personal photo book, a creative
adventure awaits them, that can last their whole life.
FAST
FACTS:
Company:
Global Media Network, LLC
Location: 6585 Hollywood, CA., 90038
Phone: 1888 872 4041
Opened:
2005
Services: Manufacturing of Photo Books, Albums, Covers
and Book Blocks
URL'S: www.bookblocks.us
www.collectoreditions.us
find this press link
at: http://www.bookblocks.us/Press_F_16_2010.html