In the digital era, the photography book has managed to retain a position on the tables and bookshelves of photography lovers. Alternative avenues to mainstream publishing, like self-published limited editions and photography zines, are becoming more popular and accessible. 
The Australian Photobook of the Year Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in photo book creation. Presented by Photobook Melbourne and Momento Pro, entries must be books that show photographic narratives.
The 2014 winner of the Self Published Prize was World Press winning Raphaela Rosella, for her book We Met A Little Early, But I Get To Love You Longer.
"The Award was a great honour, and has allowed me to continue exploring the lived experience of young women facing social disadvantage in Australia," Rosella said. 
The young documentary photographer plans to use her winnings to self-publish a limited edition of the book in 2016.
The competition has two categories of books:
     Self Published Photobooks: includes unprinted, unpublished and dummy books   Published Photobooks: published by an independent or trade book publisher    
Festival Director of Photobook Melbourne, Heidi Romano will lead a panel of judges from the photography, design and publishing professions. They will assess books for photographic excellence, design, format and audience suitability in awarding the following prizes:
     Self Published Prize: $2000 cash and $5000 Momento Pro book printing   Trade Published Prize: $1000 cash and $2000 Momento Pro book printing   People's Choice Prize: $500 Momento Pro book printing    
The Australian Photobook of the Year Awards are open for entries until   February 8.