Matt Cohen “Down in the Dirt” hardcover photography book
Acclaimed sports photographer Matt Cohen has built a stellar reputation by shooting top athletes in football, baseball, hockey, and motorsports. But the sport he’s best known for is professional rodeo, with one of his photos being chosen by Sports Illustrated as a “Photo of the Year” in 2011. It’s safe to say that Matt has changed the way rodeo is photographed, and in 2023 he decided to showcase his very best pictures in a hardcover coffee table book — Down in the Dirt - Pictures and Stories From a Rodeo Rebel.
Matt brought me in to handle the layout and design of the book, which ultimately clocked in at 200 pages and included essay sections that complimented the photography. Many design challenges needed to be solved — including photo and text layouts, typography, colors, and cover design. As expected for a project like this, extra attention needs to be paid toward printer guidelines, press checks, and the subtle differences between design for digital and print. A project of this scope requires a large amount of organization and attention-to-detail, as there are no second chances!
Ultimately, the book was printed in early 2024 and was a success — the initial printing was immediately profitable and came close to selling out within weeks of the release.
