Hi there,
We often get asked at Fotobox how many of us find inspiration for our own practices when we're always surrounded by photography and art at work.
Sometimes it just overwhelms us or even stops us in our tracks from continuing with our practice. However, around the city there is nothing BUT ways to find inspiration and today's post is dedicated to one of our favorite past times. Combing through bookstores!
As we are a photo lab, we have curated this very short list to a small selection of contemporary art book, architecture, photography, and artist titles that you may find interesting. Check it out!
TORONTO
Contact Photo Book Lab
Screenshots from Instagram
Address: 80 Spadina Ave, Suite 205 Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V2J4
Note from their website: Currently open for in-store shopping by appointment or chance only until September 2025.
A Toronto‑based art space focusing on photography and photo book practices, combining creative lab facilities with curated exhibitions and pop‑up book displays. This lab operates as both a studio and gallery that highlights contemporary photo‑bookmaking. We’ve previously recommended them as they carry such a great collection of Canadian artists published through them and promoting international artists as well. Be sure to follow them on their instagram as they often do pop-ups for their collection every so often.
Balfour Books
Address: 468 College Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1A1
A cozy, eclectic used bookstore beloved for its rich selection of art, photography, design, and illustrated books and literature. Balfour Books offers a treasure trove for art‑book enthusiasts and often surprises with rare and beautiful editions. Check out their instagram as they do a great job of archiving new finds and sales off books!
Art Metropole
Address: 896 College Street, Toronto, ON M6H 1A4
Located in College Street, Art Metropole is an artist-run centre that publishes, exhibits and distributes multiple artists’ books, accompanying literature from artists exhibitions and more. Their collection is very impressive, garnering over 16,000 items and is “devoted to archiving and distribution of all the images”.
Acadia Bookstore
Address: 232 Queen St. East Toronto, ON M5A 1S3
Screenshots from Instagram
This place is a real treasure trove in Toronto, the bookstore specializes in rare out of print vintage books and the staff are experts in cultivating their collection to so many vast interests. Historical books specializing in photography, architecture, first-edition literature, graphic design, and beautiful ephemera.. You will absolutely find a gem here. Their instagram alone is so incredible and a great way to find their new acquisitions..... Plus they have two cats? Need I say more?
Address: 1356 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON Canada M6J 1Y2
For the seasoned photography enthusiast, this gallery features a front end shop of publications, featuring many historical, archival and new contemporary titles to flip through. The gallery is a staple in Toronto for their active photo exhibitions displaying thousands of historical Canadian works and international and modern art. One of my favorite events from theirs is their annual Contact Photobook Fair.
VANCOUVER
The Polygon
Address: 101 Carrie Cates Court North Vancouver, BC V7M 3J4
The Polygon is dedicated to promoting emerging artists and innovative exhibitions in regards to the history of photography and the expansion of new ideas within the lens-based community in Vancouver. From collaborative lens-based exhibitions to cinema movie nights, The Polygon continues to create an environment that makes art accessible to everyone. Their bookshop also holds many art catalogues and rare photobooks. Definitely recommend!
Contemporary Art Gallery (Vancouver)
Address: 555 Nelson Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 6R5
A non‑profit public gallery offering free admission and a platform for emerging and established artists; their exhibition shop and online store features a variety of art books dedicated to painting, photography, poetry, history, and fashion. They also showcase limited run prints from local artists in their shop which is great for supporting local artists and Canadian artists in the community.
OTTAWA
Octopus Books
Address: 116 Third Ave, Ottawa, ON K1S 2K1
Located in the Glebe in a small house, Ottawa's progressive independent bookstore since 1969. Octopus Books is a community‑oriented independent bookstore that promotes community education, debate of social issues relevant to Canadian society and expands on our every day social awareness that we can learn from our own shared history. This store is a staple of the Ottawa scene and includes an incredible collection of poetry, writing and many events that work with local authors and communities.
Ottawa Art Gallery
Address: 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 0C5, CANADA
The Ottawa Art Gallery’s bookshop complements the museum’s exhibitions and collection, offering a refined selection of art and design publications, exhibition catalogues, and artist books to explore!