Apple Photo store closed

Hi. As Apple official provides:

1. Make sure that you can access the Internet on your computer.

2. See if your computer meets the iTunes minimum system requirements.

3. Check that your operating system is up to date.
4. From the menu bar at the top of your screen, choose Apple () > Software Update. If you don't see Software Update, choose Apple > App Store and click the Updates tab in the App Store window.

5. Make sure that you have the latest versions of iTunes and Safari.

6. If you have a firewall, your settings might not let you connect to the iTunes Store. Learn how to set up your firewall.

7. Connection issues are sometimes caused by keychain issues. To reset your keychain, use Keychain First Aid.

8. Contact your Internet service provider, and make sure that these ports and servers are turned on for your network.

If you can’t connect to the iTunes Store - Apple Support

I can't get past the "creating project..." screen.

Perview the book using this method - Preview a print project in Photos or iPhoto to avoid issues - Apple Support - and verify that it is correct

Verify that the print products store in your Photos preferences is set correctly and the the billing and shipping addresses if your print products store account (under the Apple menu) are set to the same country

LN

I can't get past the "creating project..." screen.

Your screenshot is showing, that you are using a theme that needs downloading from iCloud. See the cloud badge in the lower right corner of the theme. As a test, try to create a book with a theme, that is already installed. Does that work?

Downloading themes can take a very long time.