Turning Life’s Sweetest Moments Into Something Beautiful with Mixbook
Pictures have always been so important to me. They capture the little moments, the big milestones, and everything in between that I never want to forget. I’m definitely that person who is always taking pictures of my family because I love being able to look back and relive those memories. There’s just something so special about a photo that can instantly take you back to a certain day, place, or feeling.
But I also don’t want all of those beautiful memories to just sit on my phone! I’m always looking for creative and meaningful ways to display our favorite pictures around our home, whether it’s something I can see every day or a special piece that becomes part of our décor. I also think personalized photo gifts are extra special because they turn a favorite memory into something someone can actually hold onto and treasure.
That’s why I was so excited to start creating with Mixbook! Being able to take some of my favorite photos and transform them into beautiful, personalized projects sounded like so much fun. I couldn’t wait to get creative, bring some of those memories to life, and create pieces that I could proudly display in our home and share with the people I love.
About Mixbook
To empower people to be creative and connect deeply with the ones they love
Mixbook was founded in 2006 by Berkeley alums Andrew Laffoon and Aryk Grosz, and just one year later, they launched their first website and photo book editor. Since then, they’ve grown internationally and continued finding new ways to help people turn their favorite photos and stories into meaningful keepsakes.
What I love most is that Mixbook is about so much more than simply printing pictures. Their mission focuses on helping people connect through their stories. That meaning became especially clear after co-founder Andrew Laffoon received a letter from an early customer who created a remembrance book with her mom and sister after losing her father. Creating it together helped them connect, remember, and work through their grief as a family. I think that story says so much about how powerful our photos and memories can be.
Mixbook has also continued to evolve over the years. They partnered with Martha Stewart in 2019, and in 2024 introduced Mixbook Studio’s AI-powered tools to make creating photo books even easier, along with Mixbook Movies for bringing memories to life digitally.
Today, Mixbook has helped create more than 21 million projects, with over 2 billion photos uploaded, 6 million photo books printed, and more than 9.5 million Mixbookers. With so many designs, personalization options, easy creation tools, and beautiful quality, they make it fun to turn the moments that mean the most into something you can display, share, gift, and treasure for years to come.
My Thoughts:
After spending six years away from my family because of my husband’s time in the military, moving back to Chicago and being close to everyone again gave me a completely different appreciation for the little moments. I missed my family so much, especially my little nieces and nephews. When I left, they were so little, and by the time I came back, they had grown so much. Seeing how quickly those years passed honestly made me a little sad, but it also reminded me just how important it is to capture the moments we have while we’re living them.
Now, I find myself paying attention to everything around me a little more. Family gatherings, birthdays, holidays, the kids growing up, and even those ordinary days together mean so much to me. I’m always pulling out my phone to take a picture because I know one day that simple photo could become one of my favorite memories.
That’s why creating with Mixbook felt so special to me. I wanted my projects to showcase the love I have for my family, so I created a family calendar, collage cards, poster prints, and a canvas print. Mixbook gives you so much creative freedom. I could play around with my favorite photos, fonts, colors, templates, layouts, and designs until everything looked exactly how I wanted it.
Then came the best part? Seeing my creations in person! I loved the quality of everything I received, especially how beautiful and clear my photos looked. I also love that Mixbook makes it possible to create meaningful, personalized pieces while still keeping affordability in mind. Some of these pieces will stay in my home, while others will become gifts for people I love, which makes them even more meaningful.
Mixbook Family Calendar
I use a calendar all the time, so I knew I wanted to create one that felt extra special. Instead of having a basic calendar hanging in my home, I filled mine with some of my favorite family moments.
Now, every time I check a date or write something down, I also get to see pictures of the people and memories that mean the most to me. I love having something practical that also feels so personal. As the months go by, I’ll get to turn the page and see another memory waiting for me.
Collage Cards
These might be one of the sweetest projects I created. I designed my collage cards to introduce my new baby niece, and I absolutely love how they came out. A new baby joining the family is such a beautiful moment, and I wanted her parents to have something special that celebrated their baby girl’s arrival. These cards give them a beautiful way to share her pictures with the people who mean the most to them. Instead of simply sending a photo, they can share a personalized keepsake that family and friends can hold onto. I think that makes such a thoughtful gift for new parents, too!
Poster Prints
Some pictures deserve more than a spot in your camera roll! For my poster prints, I chose photos that captured moments I truly loved and wanted to see displayed on my walls.
I love walking through my home and seeing pictures that immediately remind me of a special day or memory. The prints let me take those photos off my phone and make them part of our home. Plus, the beautiful print quality really helps the pictures stand out.
Canvas Print
Finally, I created a canvas print, and I absolutely love the look and effect it gives a photo. There’s something about printing a meaningful picture on canvas that instantly makes it feel like a piece of art.
I especially love how a canvas can elevate a space while still making it feel warm and personal. Instead of adding random wall décor, I can decorate with the people and memories I love most. Every time I look at it, I don’t just see a decoration, I see a moment that means something to me.
Overall, creating these projects with Mixbook reminded me why I take so many pictures in the first place. Time moves so quickly, kids grow up, families change, and moments become memories before we even realize it. I can’t stop time, but I can capture pieces of it. Being able to turn those pictures into beautiful things I can display in my home or gift to the people I love makes those memories feel even more special.
A Meaningful Gift for Back-to-School Season
Back-to-school season brings so many new beginnings and special moments worth remembering. From first-day photos and growing kids to celebrating the people who support them along the way, Mixbook gives you such a beautiful way to turn those memories into something meaningful.
Whether you create a personalized calendar to keep a busy family organized, a photo book filled with favorite memories, or a special print for a teacher, grandparent, or loved one, there are so many possibilities. I love that you can create something that feels completely personal while also giving a gift that comes straight from the heart.
As another school year begins and our little ones continue to grow, Mixbook helps us hold onto the moments that seem to pass by way too quickly, one picture and one memory at a time.
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You can find Mixbook in our 2026 Back-to-School Gift Guide
