How to Make an Instagram Photo Book

In today’s digital age, we capture countless moments on our smartphones and share them on Instagram. These photos tell the stories of our lives, from vacations and celebrations to everyday joys. While Instagram provides a great platform to share these memories, there’s something special about holding a physical photo book in your hands. Shutterfly makes it easy to turn your Instagram photos into beautiful photo books that you can cherish forever. Here’s how to create your own Instagram photo book with Shutterfly.

Why Create an Instagram Photo Book?

photo book that says favorite memories

Instagram photo books are a wonderful way to preserve your favorite moments in a tangible form. Here are a few reasons why you should consider creating one:

  1. Relive Your Memories: Flipping through a photo book allows you to relive your favorite memories in a way that scrolling through a feed simply can’t match.
  2. Share with Loved Ones: Photo books make thoughtful gifts for friends and family, allowing them to enjoy your captured moments.
  3. Home Decor: A beautifully designed photo album can be a lovely addition to your coffee table or bookshelf.
  4. Preserve Your Photos: Digital photos can be lost or forgotten over time, but a printed photo book preserves your memories for years to come.

How to Create an Instagram Photo Book with Shutterfly

Creating an Instagram photo book with Shutterfly is a simple and enjoyable process. Follow these steps to design a stunning keepsake:

  1. Choose Your Photo Book Style: Start by selecting the style and size of your photo book. Shutterfly offers a variety of options, including hardcover, softcover, and layflat books. Or, choose a small, simple 6×6 photo book for easy creating.
  2. Connect Your Instagram Account: Use Shutterfly’s easy-to-use interface to connect your Instagram account and import your favorite photos directly from your feed.
  3. Organize Your Photos: Arrange your photos in chronological order or group them by theme. Shutterfly’s design tools make it easy to drag and drop photos into place. Or, use our free photo book designer service so our designer can create your Instagram book for you.
  4. Customize Your Layout: Choose from a variety of layouts and templates to create a look that matches your style. You can add text, captions, and decorative elements to enhance your pages.
  5. Add Personal Touches: Include special messages, quotes, or stories that give context to your photos and make your book even more meaningful.
  6. Preview and Order: Once you’re happy with your design, preview your photo book to ensure everything looks perfect. Then, place your order and wait for your beautiful photo book to arrive.

two photo books with family photos in them

Tips for Creating an Instagram Photo Book

To make your Instagram photo book truly stand out, consider these tips:

  • Select High-Quality Photos: Choose clear, high-resolution photos to ensure your prints look their best.
  • Tell a Story: Think about the narrative you want to convey. Organize your photos in a way that tells a cohesive story.
  • Mix It Up: Combine different types of photos, such as landscapes, portraits, and candid shots, to create visual interest.
  • Use White Space: Don’t overcrowd your pages. Use white space to let your photos breathe and to create a clean, elegant look.
  • Include Captions: Adding captions can provide context and make your photo book more engaging.

Instagram Photo Book Ideas

Looking for inspiration to create your Instagram photo book? Here are some creative ideas to help you design a unique and meaningful keepsake that captures your favorite moments.

1. In My Kitchen

Custom family recipe cookbook
Are you a foodie? Consider turning your Instagram-ready recipes into a personalized cookbook that you can share with your family and friends. You can record your own take on classic recipes, similar to handwritten recipes you may have inherited from a loved one.

Don’t forget to get creative with your cookbook! Include pictures of the times you spent in the kitchen as well as the final dessert.

2. Puppy’s First Year


The first few months of welcoming new furry friends into your family are both exciting and adorable, but oftentimes they go by too fast. Create a photo book with Instant Books of your puppy’s first year! You’re bound to have endless pictures of your pups on your Instagram, so turn them into a photo book that you can use to reminisce years down the road.

3. Wanderlust

girls trip travel photo book
Turn your favorite wanderlust moments into a customized travel photo book! Tell the story of your travel memories with beautiful shots from around the city, top places to eat and words you learned along the way. Not only will it be a way to reflect on exploring a new place, but it will also remind you of moments you can share with your family and friends!

4. A Year With You

cute photo book
Looking for a creative way to surprise your loved one for a birthday, wedding, anniversary or special event? Create a photo book using Instagram photos from moments you spent together over the past year. From enjoying New Year’s Eve in New York City to hiking together, you’ll love reminiscing on the special moments that you both spent together.

Expert tip: Make it a tradition! Turn one Instagram photo book into a collection of the years spent as a couple. Share it at a special event or with future generations to show how your story together unfolds.

5. A Year in Review

2023 year in review photo book
Do you cherish your family albums from years ago? From film to digital, the evolution of cameras has improved over the years, but the purpose behind photography has remained the same: to capture life. Create a photo book of your little one growing older with all the Instagram photos you have shared of their memorable moments. You can create a year in review photo book to celebrate the little moments, like an at-home birthday party, a walk in the park, family game nights, or screenshots of your most memorable nights out.

6. A Road Trip to Remember

travel photo book
If you’ve spent many miles on the road sharing stories, listening to your favorite tunes, and seeing sites with your travel companion, consider compiling your #TravelGrams into a road trip photo book. Use unique embellishments to style every page and add text to show where you were on the journey. Not only will it be the perfect way to reminisce on the experience, but it will motivate you to plan another road trip!

7. The Year of the #Selfie

instagram photo book
Put your selfies to use and turn them into a photo book! Compile the moments you shared with family and friends—whether it was on vacation or a regular day, you’ll love the chance to reflect on the good times you spent with family and friends without the need for a #tbt post.

8. My Fitness Journey

fitness photo journey
Did you make an effort to focus on your fitness this year? Turn your journey into a motivational spread. Pull pictures from your monthly progress on Instagram and add them to pages of a photo book with statistics, goals, and motivational quotes.

Wrapping Up on Instagram Photo Books

Now that you have the step-by-step down, build your own Instagram photo book that you can treasure forever! Can’t find the time to make a photo book? Let our skilled designers make a photo book for you.