Image of a photobook witl covertext Happy Birthday Lizzie! and a image of Lizzie as a child
A person’s hand pulling a photo book titled “Portugal” from a bookshelf, next to another book titled “Summer of ’25.”
A stack of photo books with visible titles including “Mallorca 2024,” “Portugal 2023,” “Adventures of 2025,” and “My first year.”
A photo book titled “To Dad from Milo” resting on a woven chair, showing a man carrying a child on his shoulders in a sunny market.
Three photo books on a wooden floor, titled “2025,” “Sibling love,” and “Year of wonders,” each featuring family photos on their covers.
A person holding an open photo book while lying in bed, showing pages with several photos of people by a pool and in sunny outdoor settings.
Close-up of an open photo book on a light surface, showing a page with fabric textures in soft beige and brown tones.

Birthday photo gift

First 20 pages from 16 GBP

Another trip around the sun? Let’s celebrate it beautifully. A custom birthday photo book captures every laugh, wish, and frosting-covered face, from baby grins to big milestones. Whether you're looking back on their first candle or last weekend’s celebration, this book is a heartfelt gift that says: “I see you, I remember, and I love this journey we’re on.” Create a personalized birthday gift that celebrates where they've been and where they’re going next.

  • Book types: Hardcover or Softcover
  • Paper types: Silk matte or semi-gloss
  • Book sizes: 20x20 cm or 27x27 cm
  • Book length: From 20 to 200 pages

Our prices

There are three book formats to choose from, two types of papers, and a ton of creative possibilities. This should give you an overview of what your order will end up costing.

Hardcover Large price

Hardcover Large

First 20 pages from 26 GBP
Add a page

+ 0.62 GBP

Hardcover Medium price

Hardcover Medium

First 20 pages from 21 GBP
Add a page

+ 0.42 GBP

Softcover Medium price

Softcover Medium

First 20 pages from 16 GBP
Add a page

+ 0.42 GBP

Someone holding the gift of a photo book. The photobook cover shows an image of two children and the headline Dadday we love you.
Someone holding the gift of a photo book. The photobook cover shows an image of two children and the headline Dadday we love you.

Birthday photo gift ideas for every age

1

First birthday

Celebrate the very first year with photos of first steps, messy cake faces, and sleepy cuddles.

2

Milestone birthday

Turning 18, 30, 50, or 80? Create a trip down memory lane, from childhood snapshots to today’s celebrations.

3

Your year-in-review

Start a yearly tradition. Capture the highlights of each year trips, lazy Sundays, and every little moment that makes life sweet.

4

Framed photo prints

Frame your favorite memories and build a gallery wall full of birthday joy.

5

Then & now

Show how far you have come with past and present photos from baby pictures to your latest adventure.

I made a birthday photo book for my mum with pictures from every decade. She smiled the whole way through.

  • Open photo book showing travel memories from a family city vacation
  • Woman with jewelry wrapping a photo book as a birthday gift in pink wrapping paper.
  • An open photo book showing several photos, placed on a beige table next to pink polka dot wrapping paper.
  • A wrapped photo book tied with a pink velvet ribbon and an envelope on top, next to another book titled “We are Family.”

Why this gift hits differently

Your story, your way

Start your birthday photo gift anytime, anywhere. Begin on your phone, tweak on your tablet, and perfect it on your computer, your memories are always with you.

Printing near you

Your birthday photo book is printed near you (or the birthday kid). We currently have printers in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, the UK, and the US.

Made to last

Designed to hold your memories for years to come, with sustainability in mind every step of the way.

Celebrate-it guarantee

If your birthday photo book isn’t everything you hoped for, just let us know. We’re here to make it right.

A person holding an open photo book while lying in bed, showing a spread with the title “The year of the hobby horse” and photos of a child playing indoors.
A person holding an open photo book while lying in bed, showing a spread with the title “The year of the hobby horse” and photos of a child playing indoors.

How to make a meaningful birthday gift

1

Include birthday wishes

Add handwritten messages, favorite quotes, or funny inside jokes for each chapter.

2

Go beyond picture-perfect

Include the frosting-smeared faces, wind-blown hair, and candid laughs, the real moments that matter.

3

Add the little details

Screenshot the first “Happy Birthday” text, pop in a ticket stub from a birthday concert, or include a photo of that iconic balloon arch.

A young child holding a balloon in front of a cabinet decorated with a “Happy Birthday” banner, standing in warm sunlight.
A young child holding a balloon in front of a cabinet decorated with a “Happy Birthday” banner, standing in warm sunlight.

Choose the format that fits the vibe

Both are easy to wrap, built to last, and made to flip through again and again.

I created one for my besties 30th, and we cracked up at the throwback selfies. It brought back so many memories.

A birthday to remember

You have shared so much giggles, tears, adventures, sleepy mornings, and late-night chats. Whether it is the first birthday or the fiftieth, a custom birthday photo book is a beautiful way to say, “I celebrate you, I appreciate you, and I cannot wait for the next chapter.”

An open photo book displayed on a wall showing outdoor photos of people walking, with a stack of closed photo books and a small dark jar below.
An open photo book displayed on a wall showing outdoor photos of people walking, with a stack of closed photo books and a small dark jar below.
Hard cover Photo books

Hard cover

+ Title printed on spine

+ Classic sturdy feel

+ Top-selling item

Soft cover Photo books

Soft cover

+ Lush magazine feel

+ Perfect for your coffee table

+ Flexible and lightweight

Choose between two different kinds of covers, both with an awesome design and great quality. Ready to try it out?

Personalized birthday gift:

What is a good personalized birthday gift for someone who has everything?


A photo book filled with real, everyday moments. It’s thoughtful, one-of-a-kind, and impossible to return, bye bye re-gifting stories.


How can I make a birthday gift more personal?


Add memories. A few favorite photos and a line or two about what they mean to you, that’s what makes it special.


What’s a unique birthday gift idea with photos?


Turn your camera roll into a storybook, mix everyday snaps with little notes. It’s personal and 100% them.


What is the best photo gift for a birthday?


A photo book. Simple to make, full of meaning, and way better than another scented candle.


Can I create a birthday gift online with my own photos?

You bet! With Once Upon, you can make a photo book straight from your phone, tablet or laptop, no design skills needed.


Are personalized gifts better than store-bought ones?


Totally. They show you’ve put time, thought, and heart into it. And those things never go out of style.


What’s a meaningful birthday gift for my partner?


A photo book that tells your story, firsts, laughs, and little everyday moments. Add some sweet (or silly) captions.


How to make a birthday gift that makes someone cry (in a good way)?


Pick the photos that really say “I love you,” and add short notes from the heart. Honest beats perfect, every time.


Where can I get a personalized photo gift delivered fast?


Right here. Once Upon makes it easy to create, and we ship quickly, so you can gift something made, not bought.


What is a personal birthday gift for mom?


A photo book full of the little moments she doesn’t post about, the quiet wins, the messy love, the real stuff.


What’s a fun personalized birthday gift for a friend?

“greatest hits” photo book with your best inside jokes and most unfiltered memories.


What’s a creative way to say happy birthday with photos?

Create a timeline photo book, from baby pics to now. Add your favorite shared memories along the way.