This year, we once again participated as the main sponsor of Photo Münsingen 2025. As part of this event, we organized a photo book competition for the third time – in search of the most beautiful Bookfactory photo books in Switzerland. In this blog post, we present the Top 10.
From all submissions, the 10 most exceptional books were selected and submitted to the Photo Münsingen jury for final evaluation. The criteria included content, design, and overall impression. During Photo Münsingen, the books were on display at the Bookfactory booth.
1st Place: “The Fishermen’s Championship”
Project Description:
What does the world of a professional fisherman on Lake Zug look like today? Does he also use “artificial intelligence”? Does he get paid in cryptocurrency for his fish? Are his nets equipped with sensors and GPS trackers that upload data to the cloud via 5G, displaying an aggregated dashboard? Are catch and kilogram prices even calculated just-in-time and made available to the supply chain?
Over several years, I had the opportunity to accompany the fishermen. The aim was to create an authentic, though subjective, portrayal. The result is the commemorative publication for the milestone anniversary of the Fishermen’s Guild of the City of Zug.
Manuel C. Studer, Walchwil
Website of Manuel C. Studer: Manuel C. Studer – Black and White Photography
PDF-to-Book | Hardcover, A4 portrait, Flatbook, Munken Polar 200 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
2nd Place: “Urban Elegance”
Project Description:
Beauty is often sought and found in nature. But culture, too, can embody perfection.
As a photographer, I am particularly fascinated by the urban – the precise lines, noble materials, and the harmonious interplay of form and movement. I appreciate this kind of photography as it captures the subtle connection between sacred geometry and timeless aesthetics.
By deliberately incorporating design elements, I compose my homage to urban elegance – adding a personal signature to my works.
Renato Gerussi, Winterthur
Website of Renato Gerussi: Gerussi Renato | Photography & More
Photobook Photographic | Hardcover, Maxi, Flatbook, matte photo paper 200 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
3rd Place: “Through the Western USA”
Project Description:
Our family vacation in 2018 with a camper through the western USA only became a completed photo book in 2024.
I tried to design it attractively using the Bookfactory program, which leaves nothing to be desired.
Richard Kunz, Müntschemier
Website of Richard Kunz: Portrait Photography | Richard-art | Müntschemier
Photobook Premium | Hardcover, Maxi, adhesive binding, Magno Satin 170 g/m², Cover: glossy laminate
4th Place: “Auschwitz”
Project Description:
This book shows images of the Auschwitz concentration camp as it appears today, complemented by quotes from survivors. There is no color in this book – a deliberate choice.
Gerald Hein, Gümmenen
Website of Gerald Hein: Photography – Gerald Hein
PDF-to-Book | Hardcover, Maxi, adhesive binding, Z-Offset Indigo 170 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
5th Place: “Finding Patchy & Friends – Photos & Cartoon”
Project Description:
The photo session is a disaster. The cat hides under the bed at the sight of the photographer. He leaves the house disappointed, without a single picture. The second attempt goes better. The resulting photos are combined with humorous cartoons, creating amusing stories.
Another challenge was finding a suitable font. In the font used, CatComic, every letter looks like a catastrophe – yet its cheeky style fits perfectly with this book project.
Marcel Andrey, Regensdorf
PDF-to-Book | Hardcover, Carré, thread stitching, Profibulk 170 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
6th Place: “Gdańsk”
Project Description:
The decision to travel was spontaneous, leaving little time to research sights, peculiarities, and the city’s history.
So I wandered the streets of Gdańsk with an open mind and curiosity – seeing with the eyes of a discoverer rather than a visitor trying to check off a list of attractions.
While strolling through the alleys – and later, while viewing the images on my screen – questions arose that I wrote down in this book.
Many of the photos have been desaturated – sometimes so much that only black and white remained. I think it gives them a strong clarity.
Matthias Notter, Mörikon
Website of Matthias Notter: Matthias Notter
Photobook Photographic | Hardcover, Maxi, Flatbook, glossy photo paper 200 g/m², Cover: glossy laminate
7–10th Place: “Along the North Sea”
Project Description:
Along the North Sea – cycling from Amsterdam to Flensburg.
In 2023 I started in Switzerland and cycled to Amsterdam. Last year, the journey continued from Amsterdam to Flensburg. This travel diary, filled with pictures, tells the story of the 11 days and nearly 1,500 unforgettable kilometers along the North Sea.
Jorge Dändliker, Wilen b. Wil
Photobook Flat Open | Signature, Flatbook, Munken Polar 200 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
7–10th Place: “Tram Line 8”
Project Description:
Short reportage in Zurich.
A collaborative work by the Appenzellerland photo club.
For four hours, twelve members of the club followed Tram Line 8 through its twelve stops.
A total of 160 photographs made it into this book.
Fritz Beier, Embrach
Website of Fritz Beier: Fritz Beier Photography
Photobook Flat Open | A4 portrait, Flatbook, Munken Polar 200 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
7–10th Place: “Neighborhood in Transition”
Project Description:
Let yourself be inspired by the diversity and charm of Dreispitz and discover how this district has become a symbol of change and innovation.
Daniel Thoma, Basel
Website of Daniel Thoma: Photography | Daniel Thoma
Photobook Premium Flat | Hardcover, Carré, Flatbook, Munken Polar 200 g/m², Cover: matte laminate
Ranking
The ranking of the 10 most exceptional books can be found on the Photo Münsingen website:
Photo Competition 2025 – Photo Book Competition – Photo Münsingen
