How I Create Our Family Yearbook (One Sunday at a Time)

The Yearbook I Never Feel Behind On

So many people want a family yearbook, but very few actually finish one. Not because they don’t care, but because the idea of sitting down at the end of the year to sort thousands of photos feels overwhelming. That quiet pressure, I should really do this someday, has a way of turning something meaningful into something heavy.

What changed everything for me was letting go of the “big yearly project” mindset and replacing it with a simple weekly rhythm. Instead of relying on motivation, I built a habit. A little progress each week removed the guilt and overwhelm and made this project feel doable even during busy seasons. When something becomes part of your routine, it stops competing for your energy.

This is why this system works, even if you’ve never made a yearbook before. I’ve been using this approach since 2023, and it’s allowed me to finish a family yearbook every year without falling behind. Small time investment. Big payoff. And best of all, a finished book we actually get to enjoy together.

Step 1: Choosing Photos Throughout the Week (So Sunday Is Easy)

The secret to making a weekly yearbook feel doable isn’t what happens on Sunday; it’s what happens the rest of the week. As I go about my days, I use Daily Delete on my iPhone in Apple Photos, and at the same time, I tap the heart on any photo I know I might want to use in our yearbook. No overthinking. No perfect system. Just a quick “this one matters.”

By the time Sunday rolls around, my photos are already chosen. I’m not scrolling endlessly or second-guessing myself. I’m simply working with the moments that naturally stood out during the week. This tiny habit removes decision fatigue and makes the whole process feel lighter.

If you’re worried about choosing the “right” photos, here’s your permission slip: trust your gut. Does the photo make you feel something or tell a small piece of your family’s story? Then it belongs. This step alone is what turns a once-a-year overwhelm project into something you can actually keep up with.

Step 2: Creating a Weekly Page on Sunday

On Sunday, I sit down with the photos I’ve already favorited and create our weekly yearbook page using the Project Life App. Most weeks, I design one page. Occasionally, especially around holidays or fuller seasons, I’ll create an extra page so the story doesn’t feel rushed. There’s no strict rule here, just enough structure to keep moving forward.

Each page is simple by design. I usually include about seven photos and a short paragraph of journaling that captures what our week actually felt like. Nothing fancy. Just a few sentences that help future us remember the season we were in.

This weekly rhythm is what makes the whole system sustainable. I’m not trying to recreate every detail or make something perfect. I’m just showing up consistently. One small session. One finished page. And then I move on with my week, knowing the yearbook is already taking shape.

Step 3: Saving and Organizing Pages as You Go

Once a weekly page is finished, I export it as a single image and save it to my camera roll. From there, I add it to a clearly labeled folder for that year’s Family Yearbook. That’s it. No complicated naming system or extra steps, just a consistent place where every page lives.

This small habit is what keeps the project from unraveling later. Because each page is saved and organized as I go, I’m never scrambling at the end of the year trying to track things down. Everything is already done, just waiting to be printed.

If you’re tempted to skip this step, don’t. A few extra seconds now saves hours later. It’s one of those quiet systems that makes the whole process feel calm instead of chaotic, and it’s why finishing the book each year feels so achievable.

Step 4: Printing the Book in January (Without Stress)

When January rolls around, the hard work is already done. I move all of my weekly pages into Google Drive so I can work from my desktop, which I find much easier for the final steps. From there, I design a simple cover in Canva, using the same layout each year and just updating the photo and date.

Once everything is ready, I upload each weekly page as a full-page image into Shutterfly and wait for their Unlimited Pages sale (because patience pays off here). I print the same 10x10 book each year with standard layflat pages, keeping the process familiar and easy.

By February, the book usually arrives, and that’s the best part. Sitting down as a family and flipping through the pages together reminds me why this system works. The year isn’t just documented, it’s remembered, shared, and enjoyed.

Why This System Actually Sticks

This is the yearbook I never feel behind on because it doesn’t rely on motivation; it relies on rhythm. I’m not waiting for a free weekend, a burst of energy, or the end of the year panic. I’m showing up for a few minutes each week, and that consistency adds up faster than you think.

The time investment is small, but the payoff is huge. Instead of staring at a mountain of photos in December, I already have a finished story taking shape. There’s no guilt, no catching up, no feeling like I missed my chance. Just steady progress that feels doable even during busy seasons.

I’ve been using this approach since 2023, and it’s why we have completed family yearbooks that we actually enjoy looking through. Not perfect. Not exhaustive. Just real life, preserved in a way that finally feels sustainable.

What’s Coming Next

If you’re reading this and thinking, This sounds great, but I’m already behind, you’re not alone. So many families are carrying years of photos they still want to turn into something meaningful, and there is a simple way to tackle that without overwhelm.

Next month, I’ll be sharing exactly how I catch up on past family yearbooks: how I choose photos, keep it simple, and move forward without trying to make it perfect. It’s a process designed for real life and busy seasons.

For now, just know this: starting with a weekly rhythm is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Once that habit is in place, everything else becomes easier and totally doable.

A Gentle Encouragement (And How I Can Help)

If you’ve ever told yourself, I’m just not good at this or I’ll start when I have more time, let this be your permission to let that go. You don’t need perfect photos, perfect words, or a perfect system. You just need a simple rhythm and the willingness to start small. One week. One page. One step forward.

This weekly yearbook process has shown me that memory keeping doesn’t have to feel heavy to be meaningful. Done really is better than perfect, and finished books will always matter more than unfinished plans sitting in your head.

And if you love the idea of a family yearbook but want support along the way, I do offer photo book design services. Whether you want help designing your pages or prefer to hand over your photos and let me take care of the rest, I’d love to help you turn your memories into something you can actually hold. No pressure, just support if you need it.