Finished Photography Book - What does an agent want to see?

Hi, I have finished a photo book and have a bunch printed up and a query letter outlining the proposal for the book and it's follow ups. I just can't find a lot of info on the google machine or here in the bowels of AW regarding the best way to submit to an agency when you actually can send them the prototype.

Should I send the entire book? I found a couple that said "go for it," but most agents have no guidelines for photography books including the ones who represent photographers. I've looked at query tracker and almost all "Submission Guidelines" are for manuscript books. There's no "If you are a photographer, please ......do this.."

Important to note that they are expensive and I'd rather not send out the entire book, except in rare cases. So, I hope there is a less expensive, more standard submission method that photographers use. Maybe just some photocopied prototypes with standard book proposal/query?

I know this post is a mish mosh. This is just very confusing.

Maybe I'll just self-publish.

Sincerely,
Frustrated in Mahattan

Old Hack said:

Agencies won't want your prototype. What they want to see is a proposal, and your content. When publishers sign books of this type they do all the production work: the design, the layout, the jacket. That's not your job here. Just a proposal, and the content. That's all you need right now. And it's usual to submit things by email, so you don't have to worry about the expense of supplying printed copies.

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What do you mean "and your content?" SHould I include some photos? Thanks!

Sleeping Cat Books said:

Do you have a PDF of the interior? You could send that (or part of it, depending on length or if you're not comfortable sending the whole thing). Otherwise, send several of the best images from the book as part of your submission package.

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I don't have a PDF, but I guess I can create one. That probably the best bet. Thanks!

Thanks for the help. Prototype #1 delivered to prototype welcoming publisher.

Now, on to all of the above. Appreciated.

There's nothing rushed. Rizzoli requests prototypes and proposals. They have it.

Nothing else is happening as of now. Thanks for concern and help.

Oh Jesus.

It's a photo book. For photo books, you want Rizzoli to be your publisher. Rizzoli requests full proposals and prototypes that will give their editorial board as close to an idea as possible of what it is exactly you would like them to publish.

So, I made them the book. Fully acknowledging that if they wanted to move forward, they would probably have their photo editors and graphic designers redo it to their standards. AS THEY REQUESTED, I've submitted the book. That's it. There are no burnings of publishers. There's nothing happening. It's a very straightforward concept. They like it, cool. They don't like it, fine. I will begin to look for agents to submit to the many other publishers out there who handle photo books.

Everyone please take a deep breath. SMH