Our runners up showcase
Typically, we only share the winning Book of the Month entry, but the quality of customer books we see seem to be reaching greater heights with each passing month. So, rather than let those amazing finalists and their projects go unseen, we've decided to showcase them here with their permission.
Because at MILK Books, we don't believe in keeping beauty to ourselves.
August Runner Up: Japan
Derek Finnigan, New Zealand
Derek Finnigan, New Zealand
Photo credit: Derek Finnigan
Photo credit: Derek Finnigan
Our runner-up is Japan 2025, a Large Portrait Premium Photo Book that preserves an 8-day adventure through Japan. Derek's photographs use striking contrast and inventive composition to document fleeting moments of everyday life.
August Runner Up: The Barrs
Bek Barr, Australia
Bek Barr, Australia
Photo credit: Bek Barr & River Weepers
Photo credit: Bek Barr & River Weepers
Equal parts elegant and playful, Bek’s Wedding Photo Book beautifully captures the spirit of her wedding celebration. Pairing black-and-white portraits with candid, joy-filled moments, the keepsake feels modern, polished and effortlessly fun.
Runners up for July 2026
Egitto
Davide Camata, Italy
This Travel Magazine by Davide beautifully documents a journey through Egypt. Rich, film-like imagery moves between lush greenery and vast open landscapes with a sense of contrast that feels as cinematic as the destination itself.
The Wedding
Audrey, New Zealand
Crafted in our large Premium Photo Book format, the deep Merlot vegan leather cover feels like a natural companion to the imagery within, where rich green velvet curtains and lush mossy arrangements set a scene that is intimate and considered.
Runners up for June 2026
A Year In Pictures | 2025 On Film
Steve Gray, United Kingdom
A quiet reflection on everyday beauty, A Year in Pictures transforms fleeting moments into a thoughtfully curated visual diary. Steve has chosen a Mini Magazine to display his work, with each page featuring a single photograph with cinematic simplicity.
Japan
Piotr Kuzniar, United States
This Travel Magazine documents Piotr’s journey through Japan. Designed to feel like a true editorial travel journal, it brings together scanned boarding passes and tickets with immersive photography. Each spread recreates the feeling of travel.
Runners up for May 2026
Gabrielle & Tyler
Gabrielle Beckwith, United States
This stunning wedding album, wrapped in a rich Mocca Leather cover, captures a celebration of refined elegance. Set in a picturesque venue of a Tuscan villa, each photograph is composed beautifully, with enchanting soft lighting, romantic details and a sense of bliss that carries throughout the wedding keepsake.
Japan 2026
Sean Moriarty, Canada
Discover this beautifully crafted Japan travel photo book, where exceptional imagery and well-chosen layouts create an immersive visual journey. Each double-page spread highlights the atmosphere and detail of every photograph, allowing the stunning moments of Japan to stand out with clarity and style.
Runners up for April 2026
Love is Life
Stefania & Moritz Jenz, Germany
An elegant Wedding Album by Stefania and Moritz, capturing their celebration set across the manicured grounds and grand interiors of a sweeping estate. Floral arches and lush greenery frame a day as beautiful as the album itself.
Aimer Aimé
Caroline Delafontaine, Belgium
A tender Baby Photo Book by Caroline, chronicling her daughter's first year of life. Blending dreamy, intimate portraits with candid, joyful moments, it captures a childhood already rich with adventure.
Runners up for March 2026
The Wilde Wedding
Stephanie Wilde, Australia
Stephanie’s Wedding Magazine traces her celebrations from Melbourne to London and Italy, as a beautifully curated celebration across the three iconic locations. Effortlessly chic, the magazine is filled with joyous moments of the couple.
In Africa
Katie Lasak, United States
In Africa, created by Katie, is a stunning large-format magazine capturing the beauty of her safari adventure. From intimate close-ups of wildlife to sweeping scenic shots, Katie’s photography brings the African wilderness vividly to life.
Runners up for February 2026
Taiwan
Danielle Rosello, United States
From the intricately detailed, shining temples to exciting “foodventures”, Danielle’s keepsake is an exquisite representation of Taiwan through her travels. See a collection of snapshots preserving the rich culture and natural beauty of this memorable holiday abroad.
Thirty
Stephanie Logronio, Ireland
A thirty-year anniversary was celebrated in a stunning photo book. Flip through heartwarming photos of a couple enjoying Rome together, alongside loved ones later captured in the book. It’s clear this keepsake was made with love and will be cherished for years to come.
Runners up for January 2026
Namibia
Rene Le Roux, Australia
This stunning book captures a 17-day journey through Namibia’s striking landscapes. From long stretches on the road to vast deserts and dramatic coastlines, each photograph reflects the spirit of adventure and discovery that defined this trip.
Golden Thread
Ashton Rynearson, United States
Celebrate the beauty of everyday moments in this project, with every photo choice focused on connection over perfection. Created by a mother whose creativity lifts her, the book reflects a thoughtful and creative perspective on the moments that matter.
Runners up for December 2025
Et kapittel i livet
Adele Grosås, Norway
Discover a photo book that captures a collection of meaningful moments shared by a brand-new family. Wrapped in golden light, these photographs lovingly celebrate love, connection, and the magic of the first months together.
A Virginia Summer
Donna Hopkins, United States
Take in the true essence of a Virginia summer through a thoughtful photography portfolio. From fresh produce and blooming flowers to quiet moments in the garden, it reflects the simple beauty and seasonal rhythm that define this time of year.
Runners up for November 2025
Amélie et Victor
Amélie Reynes, France
This elegant Premium Photo Book captures Amélie and Vitor’s chic wedding celebrations. Against a backdrop of French charm, the photos radiate love and effortless elegance.
Europe
Jason Bloomfield, Australia
Go on a stunning journey in black and white, through Europe’s countryside. Elegant, contemplative, and exquisitely restrained, it lets light and shadow tell the story.
Runners up for October 2025
Roatán
Valeria Hawit, United States
Escape to the island of Roatán in this vibrant travel magazine, where turquoise waters, golden sands, and local charm come to life on every page. Packed with family photos and sun-soaked beaches, it’s an open invitation to fall in love with Honduras.
Thus far
Max Vogel, United States
Flip through the pages of this stunning travel photo book, capturing the beauty of places discovered and moments collected across the globe. Filled with striking imagery, it’s a celebration of exploration and the joy of seeing the world through fresh eyes.
Runners up for September 2025
Le Mariage
Uyen Dam, Australia
Le Mariage captures the magic of an intimate celebration. Every page radiates elegance and warmth, showcasing love and creating a timeless portrait of a day that feels completely unforgettable.
Charlie
Natalie Whelen, Australia
Explore a special celebration of beloved dog Charlie, capturing the spirit of a life well-loved. Bathed in soft light and filled with heartfelt moments, it’s a book that highlights pure companionship.
Runners up for August 2025
Bowness
Sarah Hatcher, United Kingdom
This Magazine brings together a gorgeous portfolio of wedding photographs. Spanning multiple celebrations, the pages radiate with warmth and genuine emotion, beautifully capturing the candid moments that define each couple’s day.
Italy
Rodrigo Enriquez, Australia
Explore the vivid charm of Italy’s coastlines in this stunning travel keepsake. With sun-drenched beaches, seas of colorful umbrellas, and picturesque seaside towns, each page radiates saturated hues and summer energy.
Runners up for July 2025
Carnet de route
Marie-Charlotte Juszczak, France
Carnet de route captures the spirit of the great American road trip with nostalgic charm and creative flair. Mixing scrapbook-style pages with memorabilia, ticket stubs, and iconic imagery, it’s a love letter to Americana.
The Thirteenth of September
Taylor Rutz, United States
Flip through a beautifully romantic celebration set against a breathtaking mountain backdrop. With soft pastels, sweeping landscapes, and cinematic photography, it’s a wedding magazine that feels both timeless and thoughtfully styled.
Runners up for June 2025
Siva & Linh
Isaak Wolff, Australia
This highly commended photo book is a joyful celebration of Siva and Linh’s wedding day. From intricate mehndi to vibrant outfits and truly radiant expressions, each page reflects the overall tone, energy, and spirit of the occasion, capturing love in every detail.
The Red & Black
Patrick McFadden, Australia
The Red & Black is a powerful collection of sports photography shot entirely on film. From intense portraits to game-day snapshots and candid locker room moments, it captures the raw emotion and unfiltered atmosphere of life on and off the field.
Runners up for May 2025
French Polynesia
Claire Curtis & James Hustler, New Zealand
Dive into vibrant island life with James & Claire’s stunning French Polynesia travel photo book. Featuring underwater shots, coral reefs, lush hikes, and golden sunsets, it captures the essence of a tropical escape in a keepsake to treasure for years.
Willow Bay Ellrich
Charlotte Ellrich, United Kingdom
Step into the warmth of family life with Charlotte’s beautifully crafted photo book, capturing tender moments between mother, father and daughter. Set in the sunlit countryside, each image radiates joy and the quiet magic of everyday life.
Runners up for April 2025
Bradford
Chlöe Lodge, New Zealand
This Moleskine Photo Book created by Chlöe gives us a glimpse into the quiet charm of rural family life, evoking a sense of joy, presence and contentment.
This Life and the Next
Nicoletta & Connor, United States
Set against the romantic Italian countryside, this Wedding Magazine captures Nicoletta and Connor’s effortlessly stylish Sicilian elopement.
Runners up for March 2025
Caspersen Beach
Angeles Fenters, United States
Angeles & Blake created a Moleskine Photo Book preserving their engagement at Caspersen Beach. From the glow of the Florida coastline to their moments by the water, each page offers a beautiful way to relive the beginning of the next chapter together.
Ellie & Josh
Ellie Leaf, New Zealand
Explore an oceanic wedding ceremony on Kawau Island, New Zealand, where the sound of the waves and a historic mansion provide the perfect backdrop for their vows. This couple truly set the tone for a wedding celebration full of coastal charm.
Runners up for February 2025
Rick + Nick
Nick Little, United States
Explore the beautiful wedding of Rick and Nick. Set in a picturesque forest, the grooms and guests revel in a delightful party filled with speeches and an abundance of love. As day turns to night, the celebration continues with a fireworks display, adding a magical touch to an already unforgettable event.
Our Wedding
Marina Puig Betriu, Spain
Experience the magic of a Las Vegas elopement with Marina’s captivating Premium Photo Book. Filled with eclectic styled photos from the chapel ceremony to glamorous moments shared by the couple throughout their special day. Simply put: It’s quintessentially Vegas.
Runners up for January 2025
The Fishers
Lucy Littlechild, Australia
Explore a beautiful collection of photos curated in a Premium Photo Album for this newlywed couple's parents. Each special photo tells shows us a story of love, laughter, and many unforgettable memories made during their wedding.
Ripiro
Kate Hawkings, New Zealand
Kate’s keepsake is a delightful collection of family memories exploring the west coast of Northland, in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Each spread has been thoughtfully laid out, taking you on a journey through springtime at the beach.
Runners up for December 2024
Little One
Tori Carle, United States
This maternity photo book by Tori captures the unrivalled joy of approaching parenthood. Sun-lit moments of calm and tender love between the soon-to-be parents are lovingly documented in a forever keepsake.
For Rachael & Guy
Nicole Holmes, United Kingdom
Celebrate a weekend of love in this photo book, created by Nicole & Josh as a thoughtful gift for their newlywed friends. From the pre-wedding festivities in the French countryside to the timeless ceremony, every moment has been beautifully preserved.