The Photobook UK emerged from Shoreditch’s renowned photo lab and darkroom, Rapid Eye, which was established in 1996. Over the years, Rapid Eye expanded its offering to include studio spaces, educational workshops, and creative community initiatives. In 2019, this evolution led to the launch of The Photobook Cafe, bringing together a cafe, bar, gallery, and an extensive photobook collection under one roof. In 2023, Photobook Cafe partner and London nightlife pioneer Farika Holden took on a more active role in developing and transforming the food and drink menu.

Today, The Photobook UK operates as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting photography, publishing, education, and community engagement. Alongside our venue hire programme, we deliver a year-round schedule of exhibitions, photobook launches, artist talks, workshops, work experience placements, youth engagement initiatives, and work-based learning opportunities. We are also home to a unique photobook collection, accessible both onsite and online, providing a valuable resource for photographers, students, researchers, and the wider public.

Our spaces are available to hire for a wide range of events, including photographic exhibitions, photobook launches, workshops, corporate gatherings, private functions, commercial filming, and photography projects. We welcome both public and private events and work closely with organisers to ensure each project is successfully delivered.

Over the years, we have hosted a diverse programme of events and exhibitions in collaboration with leading organisations, publishers, and creative practitioners, including Altered States, Family Portrait, BJP, Dust Off Projects, Offset Projects, Palm Studios, MACK, Guest Editions, Void, Aperture, Open Doors Gallery, Huck Magazine, and Setanta Books.

Events hosted at The Photobook Cafe become part of our wider public programme. We actively support and promote each event through our social media channels, newsletter, and community networks, helping organisers reach new audiences and engage with our established photography and publishing community. We do not take commission on book or print sales made during your event, ensuring that artists, publishers, and organisers retain the full benefit of their work.

Sustainability and Zero Waste

We support Made in Hackney, a local charity that provides emergency plant-based meals for households in need, and encourage our customers to donate to this cause.

We also send our organic food waste and coffee grinds to another local charity Sustainable Nutrition Academy, who are on a mission to divert the hospitality industry’s waste from landfill and give it a second lease of life, in a circular economy that benefits local communities.