How to make a monthly Photo Book (A 4-step guide)
Love the idea of a family yearbook but dread the year-end photo chaos? The secret is the monthly Photo Book: a small, manageable keepsake created as life happens.
It’s the game-changing habit that ensures no memory is left behind, without the stress. This Journi guide shows you how easy it is.
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Why you’ll love the monthly Photo Book tradition
The biggest reason to create a Photo Book monthly is that it turns a huge project into a tiny, satisfying one. It completely removes that year-end feeling of being overwhelmed by the thousands of pictures you took since January.
Here are just some of the other big benefits of creating monthly Photo Books:
- It’s fast & easy: With fewer photos to sort through, you can create a book in minutes.
- You'll remember the little things: Details are fresh! You’re more likely to remember that funny quote or the name of that delicious pizza place when you create your book right after it happens.
- It captures the real story: A year isn't just a few big highlights. It’s the quiet mornings, the messy art projects, the weekend hikes. A monthly book makes room for it all.
- It’s a beautiful tradition: Setting aside a little time each month to reflect on your memories is a wonderful, mindful habit.
How to create your monthly Photo Book in 4 easy steps
Ready to turn your camera roll into a masterpiece? The best way is with a dedicated Photo Book app.
Here’s how simple the process is with Journi.
- Download the Journi app: Your first step is to grab the free Journi app from the App Store for your iPhone or the Google Play Store for your Android. This is where the magic begins! If you prefer working on a larger screen, head to journiapp.com on your desktop.
- Select your photos: Once you're in the app, simply choose your favorite photos from the past month.
- Let AI do the hard work for you: After uploading your photos, watch your personal designer get to work. In seconds, the Journi app will arrange all of your photos into a chronological timeline, create smart layouts to avoid repetition, and even plot your travel memories on a beautiful world map.
- Customize and order. This is where you add your personal touch. Add captions to remember the details, choose your cover photo, select a theme and colors, and then you’re done! You can order your album online and have it delivered straight to your door.
Ideas for your monthly Photo Book themes
Choosing a theme for each of your monthly Photo Books can make your collection even more special.
Here are some fun ideas from us:
The monthly Top 10 🏆
A countdown of the ten best moments from the past month.
“Just the kids” 🎈
A book dedicated to what the little ones were up to each month. Perfect for capturing their growth.
“Our adventures” 🏕
For the family that’s always on the move, document your hikes, trips, and local explorations.
A "Quote of the month" book 🎙
Pair your favorite photo from the month with a funny or heartwarming thing someone in the family said.
It’s not just a book, it's your library of memories
By keeping up with the monthly Photo Book tradition, eventually you'll have a gorgeous, complete collection of twelve Photo Books.
Each one will showcase a unique chapter in your family’s annual story. Display them on a shelf, and you have a tangible, beautiful timeline of your life.
To make your collection look amazing, think about the following:
- Create a true library of your year: Our Hardcover Photo Books give your monthly collection a substantial, lasting feel that’s built for tradition. For the ultimate viewing experience, upgrade to our Layflat binding. It allows each book to open perfectly flat, turning your monthly series into a truly premium set of books.
- Color coordinate your covers: Choose a different color for each season to create a beautiful gradient effect on your shelf.
- Title them by month: Keep it simple! A clear title like "Our January," "Our February," and so on makes it easy to grab the right book and relive the moments.
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Create with heart, print with quality
Journi is the best monthly Photo Book app because it combines effortless creation with premium, lasting quality.
Your photos deserve to be treasured, so we make sure our Photo Books are worthy of your memories.
Each Photo Book is printed locally with care on thick, premium paper that is sustainably sourced (FSC-certified). The high-quality final finish makes your photos pop with vibrant color, and the sturdy binding ensures your collection will be enjoyed for generations.
It’s a commitment to quality and convenience you can feel good about.
Your questions, answered
Do I have to subscribe or commit to making a book every month?
Not at all! That's the best part about Journi. We offer a better alternative to a subscription: total freedom. You can create a Photo Book every month or just whenever you feel inspired. There are no lock-in commitments. Our AI-powered app makes the process so fast, it's easy to keep up with, but you are always in complete control.
How many pages should be in a Photo Book for one month?
Our books start at a minimum of 25 pages, which is perfect for a monthly recap! If you've had a busy month, you can create a book with up to 349 pages to fit all your adventures. Our Layflat Photo Books are limited to 103 pages.
How much does it cost to make a Photo Book?
You can create a beautiful, high-quality Softcover Photo Book for as little as the price of a couple of coffees! We offer plenty of affordable options, so that documenting your year doesn't break the bank.
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Molly is originally from the UK, but has been living in Vienna, Austria, for the past six years.
She loves writing and has written professionally about diabetes, feminism, education, animal rights, and chronic illness.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her cat, and drawing.
