How I organized thousands of photos and created 50+ Journi Photo Books

My 'one day' problem: A camera roll filled with chaos

Before I discovered Journi, my problem was simple and, I think, very common: I had thousands of photos just sitting on my phone, waiting for 'one day' when I'd magically have the time to organize them.

But that 'one day' never came.

I had tried a few other Photo Book apps, but they were always too complicated or took forever to design. The thought of spending hours choosing layouts when my camera roll was already total chaos was exhausting! 

It felt like another chore on my to-do list, and I felt a constant guilt that our most precious memories were at risk of being lost forever in the digital clutter.

The 5-minute 'aha!' moment that changed everything

I discovered Journi completely by accident one night, and within five minutes, I was hooked. 

I selected a folder of photos from a recent trip, and the app's AI did something incredible: it instantly organized everything into a beautiful, ready-to-go layout. 

No stress, no complicated choices, just a stunning book ready for me to review.

My first Photo Book came out so beautifully that I immediately ordered another one. And then another. And another. 

The feeling wasn't just relief; it was pure joy. I had finally found a way to free my memories from my phone.

Why I've made over 50 books (and counting!)

The simple answer? Because life keeps happening, and there are just too many memories I don’t want to forget! 

My collection is a mix of the big adventures and the small, everyday moments.

• For my kids' birthdays: My absolute favorites are the annual birthday albums I make for my children. They let us relive all those fun, messy, magical parties, and the kids love seeing how much they've grown (and how my cake-decorating skills have… kind of improved over the years).
• For our travel adventures: I treasure our travel albums, especially when we discover new countries and cultures.
• For staying connected: But nothing beats the ones from our trips back home to Mexico. Those books are pure gold: full of family, laughter, and way too many photos of tacos. They are a tangible connection to our roots that we can revisit all year long, and they make my family back home feel so much closer.

Laura's 5 favorite things about creating with Journi

After making over 50 books, I've come to really rely on a few key features that make the process not just possible, but genuinely fun.

1. It’s ridiculously fast. The AI creates the first draft in seconds. I never have to overthink layouts ever again.
2. It’s brilliantly organized. It automatically sorts everything by date and even adds maps of my travels.
3. The quality feels truly premium. From the thick paper to the vibrant printing, the final book always looks and feels special.
4. It’s addictive (in the best way). The process is so simple and rewarding that once you start, you'll want to print everything.
5. It brings our family together. My kids and I look through our books all the time. They spark so many conversations and laughs.

My final advice for your first Journi Photo Book

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your photos just like I was, my advice is simple: don't overthink it. Pick one small, joyful event, like a recent trip, a holiday, or just a season you love, and start. 

Let the Journi AI do the hard work for you. It's almost impossible to mess up.

And when that first beautiful book arrives at your door and you hold your memories in your hands, trust me, you'll already be planning the next one!

🔗 Follow Laura on Instagram at @anaya.consulting