Stories
Welcome to the Photos-To-Book club
January 1, 1970
We know that making a photo book with a billion photos on your phone can feel overwhelming. But did you know that to only takes 21 days to make a whole new habit? So, all you need to do is hang out with us a few minutes everyday and before you know it you’ll have a photo book you love (possibly the best gift ever) and a new routine to help you take care of all your photos.
Small steps. Real memories. Zero need for perfection.
These steps are built for real life: busy days, enormous camera rolls, and the occasional urge to reorganize everything instead of choosing a photo. Take few minutes every day, for 21 days, while the rice is cooking or while the kids are in the bath and turn those spare minutes into something that lasts. Or maybe you want to turn each step into a little ritual, where you slow down and enjoy turning your memories into a photo book. How you do it is up to you!
Looking for the speed lane? Don’t worry, you can either just grab a little inspo here and there, or check out this little short cut instead.
Progress tracker
□ Week 1: Story chosen
□ Week 2: Rough book built
□ Week 3: Checked, ordered, done!
Week 1. Find your story
Day 1. Find your story
It’s in there somewhere. What photo book do we want to make?
TO DO: Finish this sentence: “I want this book to bring me back to…” Write down whatever comes first. No photo choosing yet.
You’ve started. That counts!
Day 2. Game plan day
Who’s the lucky one? Pick a person, pick a story. Go!
TO DO: Pick who your book is for and what’s the theme (no theme is also a theme). Your book has a backbone.
Day 3. Gather the gang
Holiday pics here, random shots there… Round up your favorites.
TO DO: Collect freely for 10 minutes. Today is about gathering, not judging. Your favorite photos are in one place. Lovely!
Day 4. Have a snack
Enjoy your favorite snack and go do literally anything else.
TO DO: Optional: notice one ordinary moment you’d love to remember. You took a little time for yourself.
Day 5. Make it official
Open the app. Start a book. Boom—you’re making a photo book.
TO DO: Make a few selections and then pick “start from scratch” and add your title.
It’s officially a real book project.
Day 6. Cover star wanted
You know that photo you really love? Give it the front row seat.
TO DO: Choose a cover photo and cover design. Your story now has an outfit.
Day 7. Favorites first
First spread! Don’t overthink it. Put your favorites in and call it a win.
TO DO: Add your clear yeses. Stop before choosing becomes a courtroom drama. Your strongest moments are in.
“Holiday pics here, random shots there… Round up your favorites.”
Week 2. Build your book
Day 8. Hey, where are you?
You were there too, remember? Add some photographic evidence.
TO DO: Challenge yourself, add at least 10 photos that you’re in. You’re in the photo book too.
Day 9. Bye-bye, duplicates
Three almost-identical photos? You only need one. Be brave.
TO DO: Keep the photo that makes you feel the feels.
Less clutter, more story.
Day 10. Camera roll o’clock
Time for another little scroll. Grab a few gems and get out before you reach 2014.
TO DO: Complete a handful of spreads.
Day 11. More good stuff, please
A few more favorites. A few more memories. Look at you go.
TO DO: Build another batch of pages. Quit while it still feels fun. The middle is taking shape.
Day 12. More than halfway, take a nap!
No touching the photo book today. Doctor’s orders.
TO DO: Optional: tell someone, ‘I’m making a photo book.’ Enjoy sounding impressively organized. You are officially a photo booker.
Day 13. Rough is good
Get those photos onto the pages. Perfect is officially banned today.
TO DO: Place the remaining photos. Leave fiddly decisions for later.
You reached the end of the first draft.
Day 14. Say a little something
A date. A place. An inside joke. No novel required.
TO DO: Add only the words the story needs. One little line is plenty.
Your memories gained a voice.
“More than halfway, take a nap!”
Week 3. Get it ready
Day 15. Shake things up
That page feels weird? That one’s in the wrong place...
TO DO: Move it. Shuffle it. Trust your gut.
Your book is finding its flow.
Day 16. Get a little mushy
Leave them a note. Sweet, silly, soppy—Christmas rules apply.
TO DO: Add a headline and your longer texts where they belong
(Not every story needs words; don’t feel like writing anything? Have a snack instead.)
Day 17. Who did we forget?
A person? A moment? That one photo? Quick, get them in and then have another snack.
TO DO: Do one calm quality-control pass.
Your future self says thank you.
Day 18 Typo time!
A missing letter? A sneaky spelling mistake? Happens to the best of us.
TO DO: Read captions and titles out loud.
You little detective, you caught all the typos before they made it into print.
Day 19. One for you, and you, and you…
Same book, more happy people. Copies are a beautiful thing.
TO DO: Make a copy or two or three. All of a sudden you have gifts for everyone. You just multiplied your gift-giving game.
Day 20. Make them special
Some copies deserve a little extra love.
TO DO: Adjust titles and change a cover here and there.
Personalized gifts for everyone. You just won Christmas.
Day 21. Step away from the edit button
One last look. Hit order. Exhale. You’re DONE.
TO DO: Place your order when you feel ready.
Yay! You did it! You made a whole photo book (or more?)!
Bonus step. Make it extra personal
Your photo book has arrived! But wait, there's room for finishing touches.
TO DO: Grab a permanent marker and write a little love note inside the cover or on a page. Sweet, silly or super soppy. Your call!
Your photo book education is complete. You are officially a Once Uponer!
Let Once Upon do all the work for you!
Almost there! Scan the QR code and make beautiful photo books right from your phone with Once Upon.
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