3 Easy Junk Journal Layouts Using Photos

When I came back from my summer trip to New Brunswick I had collected lots of cute junk for my travel journal. And I had tons of photos in my phone.

Now, swiping through photos is fun. But flipping through a journal packed with photos, tickets, stamps, and tags is even more fun! So I printed a pile of pictures and got to work. Here are 3 simple layouts that you can copy in your own junk journals.


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Layout 1: Use Your Photo as a Focal Point

When I have a favorite photo, I try not to do too much. Keeping the rest of the page simple ensures that the picture is the focal point. And remember, your pages don't have to be complicated to be beautiful.

What is a Focal Point?

A focal point is the center of attention on your page. It's the element that you want people to notice first.

In this layout, I added a light blue mat behind the photo, to help it stand out from the patterned background. At the bottom, I added a strip of decorative paper, plus a little label that says "on the ferry to the island".

Junk journal open to a page with a map of Grand Manan Island in a pocket next to a photo of 2 people on a ferry boat.

My favorite photo is the focal point in this simple layout.


Layout 2: Use Your Photo as a Tuck Spot

Making a photo into a tuck spot is another way to showcase a favorite photo. 

What is a Tuck Spot?

A tuck spot is any piece of ephemera that you glue down on only 2 or 3 sides. The open sides leave a space where you can slide in tags, tickets, or other souvenirs.

In this layout, I glued the photo mat down on three sides and left one side open. I added a decorative strip of paper. Then I slid a pretty tag into the tuck spot.

Travel journal opened to a page with two people posing next to the ocean and a hand pulling a tag from a tuck spot behind it.

Adding a tuck spot is a fun way to add interactive elements to your travel journal.


Layout 3: Make A Photo Cascade

Making a cascade is an easy way to include a lot of pictures in your book. You can fit a ton of photos onto just one page.

What is a Photo Cascade?

A photo cascade is a series of photos arranged with only the flaps glued to the page. That way you can flip each photo up and down.

In this layout, I used a set of similar photos. We had gone on an adventure called Citizen Scientist. We got to go out on the research vessel from the Huntsman Aquarium. They showed us how they drag an area, then count up how many sea creature are there.

I ended up with loads of pictures of crabs, sea urchins, and even a lobster. I used them to make this photo cascade.

Hands flipping a set of photos that feature a crab, a lobster, and sea urchins.

My photo cascade includes a lot of similar photos.

Video Tutorial for 3 Easy Layouts:

Want to see exactly how I made these layouts? Watch me make all three pages in my YouTube video:


Nautical Junk Journal Kit

Love this style? Check out the Nautical Junk Journal Bundle in my Printables Shop:

Flat lay of blue and beige, nautical themed junk journal pages, tags, stamps, and fussy cuts.
This massive kit includes a cover template, junk journal pages, plus all the ephemera to create a complete nautical themed junk journal.



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