How to create a photo journal: The modern scrapbook, made simple

Photo Book vs. scrapbook: What’s the difference?

What's the difference between a photo album and a scrapbook? A traditional photo album just holds pictures. A scrapbook tells a story. 

But a Journi Photo Book gives you the best of both worlds. It combines the storytelling power of a scrapbook with a level of quality and simplicity that a traditional scrapbook can't match.

Here’s a quick comparison:

How to make a photo album scrapbook in 5 minutes

The biggest barrier to starting a scrapbook is the thought of all the work. That’s the problem our Photo Book maker app was designed to solve. 

Journi's AI handles the tedious parts so you can focus on the creative, fun part: telling your story.

Our AI will create a first draft of your photo album scrapbook in just seconds. Then, you can spend as much (or as little!) time as you like fine-tuning the details. Creation time can take as little as 5 minutes. 

Here’s how:

1. Gather your memories: Select all the photos you want to include, right from your phone or computer. 

✨ Pro tip: Have old physical photos or kids' drawings you want to include? Just take a high-quality picture of them with your phone's camera to scan and upload them!

2. Let the AI design for you: In seconds, our AI sorts your photos chronologically and designs a beautiful first draft for you

3. Become the storyteller: This is where you bring your scrapbook to life! Use our intuitive editor to add your stories, inside jokes, and heartfelt captions. The Journi app offers a wide range of fun personalization options.

Choose from one of our custom Themes, change fonts, and rearrange photos on the page according to your preference. 

5 creative scrapbook photo album ideas

A Photo Book really is a blank canvas!

Here are a few photo journal ideas to inspire your first project.

1. Your personal "A Day in the Life" journal: Capture the beauty of a single, ordinary day. Take photos of your morning coffee, your commute, your workspace, your family dinner, and the book you read before bed. Pair each photo with your thoughts and feelings to really capture the moment.
2. The annual "Best Quotes" book: A hilarious family tradition. Throughout the year, jot down all the funny things your kids or partner say. At the end of the year, pair each quote with a favorite photo of the person who said it.
3. The traveler's notebook: Turn your travel diary into a visual masterpiece. Use large text blocks to write your travel stories and memories, and use Journi's automatic map feature to trace your journey.
4. The "40 Years of Photos" legacy book: The task of organizing years of photos is overwhelming to say the least… Our pro tip is to start with one story. Create a book about a single decade, a single person (like "The Life of Grandma"), or a single theme ("Our Family Holidays Through the Years"). Then, build a collection from there. 
5. A hobby & passion project: Why not document your journey learning a new skill? From your garden's progress from spring to fall, your baking experiments (the wins and the fails!), or your pottery creations.

How to get the perfect "scrapbook with photos and writing" look

Achieving that beautiful, personal "scrapbook feel" is all about how you use Journi's customization tools.

• Use a mix of layouts: Alternate between stunning, full-page photos and collage layouts where you can group smaller pictures together.
• Embrace the text tool: This is your journaling pen! Don't just write captions. Use larger text blocks to tell a longer story, share a memory, or write a letter.
• Scan and add memorabilia: The possibilities are by no means limited to just photos! Take pictures of concert tickets, handwritten notes, kids' artwork, or a postcard from a trip and add them to your book as images. This will really give your book that fun scrapbook/journal feel. 
• Choose a Theme: Our design themes add a cohesive look to your entire book in just one tap. Choose one with colors and fonts that match the mood of your story, whether it’s playful and bright or rustic and nostalgic.

Choose a beautiful finish for your family's keepsake

The best part of a modern scrapbook? A flawless, professional finish that's built to last. 

For a project with lots of text and photos, we recommend a classic Hardcover Photo Book. Its durable cover will protect your precious stories for decades. 

All our books are printed on premium, sustainably sourced paper, and we plant a tree for every order you place.

Ready to unleash your creativity? Get started with your scrapbook photo album today! 

FAQs: Your photo journal questions, answered

What's the real difference between a photo album, a scrapbook, and a photo journal?

It's all about storytelling! Here’s a simple breakdown:

• A traditional photo album simply stores your photos in sleeves.
• A traditional scrapbook tells a story using photos, craft supplies, and handwritten notes, but it can be time-consuming and prone to wear.
• A Journi Photo Journal gives you the best of both worlds: it lets you tell a rich story by combining photos and your own words, but with a flawless, professional finish that’s built to last a lifetime.

I have decades of photos. How do I even start organizing them?

Don't try to tell your entire family history in one go. That's a common mistake most people make! The secret is to start with just one story. This makes the project feel fun and achievable. Pick a single, manageable theme for your first book, for example:

• A book about a single decade, like "Our Family in the '90s."
• A tribute to one person, like "The Life and Times of Aunt Jo."
• A story of one place, like "The History of Our Family Home."

Once you complete your first beautiful book, you'll be inspired to continue building your collection.

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when creating a photo journal?

The biggest mistakes are usually born from overthinking it! Here are a few to avoid:

• Trying to include every single photo: A great journal is curated. Let your best and most meaningful photos be the heroes.
• Forgetting to add your voice: The words are what make it a journal! Take the time to add captions and stories—your future self will thank you.
• Chasing perfection: Don't be afraid to include the blurry, laughing selfie or the imperfect, candid shot. Those are often the photos that hold the most heart and the best stories.