How to choose a title
A good title tells you what is inside and still feels right years later. It does not need to be clever. Here are a few questions that can narrow things down.
- What is the feeling? Warm, funny, nostalgic, celebratory?
- What is the time frame? A single year, a season, a trip, or a whole childhood?
- Who is it for? Yourself, your children, a grandparent, a parent as a gift?
- Who is in it? The whole family, a pair of siblings, one grandchild?
- Is there an inside joke or phrase? Family sayings often make the best titles.
A tip: picture the title printed on the cover. If it still feels natural at that size, it is probably a good choice. Shorter titles are often easier to read on a cover and age well.
Classic and timeless
Simple titles work for almost any book.
- Our Family Story
- This Is Us
- All in the Family
- Better Together
- Home Is Where We Are
- The Story of Us
- Family Ties
- Together Always
- Generations
- The [Last Name] Family
Playful and funny
If your family is loud, messy and full of laughter, let the title say so.
- Our Beautiful Chaos
- Keeping Up With the [Last Name]s
- The [Last Name] Adventures
- Controlled Chaos
- Our Little Tribe
- Family Circus, Party of [Number]
- Snacks, Naps and Memories
- Love, Laughter and [Last Name]s
Yearly and chronological
For an annual photo book, a year-based title is easy to find on the shelf later.
- [Year] in Pictures
- The [Last Name] Yearbook: [Year]
- A Year to Remember
- Twelve Months of Us
- Seasons of Our Year
- Chapters of [Year]
- Our [Year] Highlights
- Days Together
Sentimental
For a more heartfelt book, try something that names the feeling.
- The Moments We Live For
- Love That Grows With Time
- Where We Come From
- Generations of Love
- Our Family Tapestry
- The Stories That Bind Us
- Count Your Blessings
- Home Is Where the Heart Is
Parents, grandparents and siblings
A book made for one person or one relationship may deserve a more specific title.
- Moments With Mom
- Days With Dad
- Lessons From Grandma
- Grandpa’s Garden
- Celebrating Our Parents
- Two of a Kind (for siblings)
- Siblings and Forever Friends
- Cousins Club
- My Brother and Me
- Three Under One Roof
If you are making a book for a parent or grandparent, you could use their nickname, a phrase they say often or the name the grandchildren use for them. A book of photos from a family reunion also makes a lovely gift.
Home and everyday life
Not every photo book needs to cover a big event. Everyday moments often become the most treasured.
- Days at Home
- Moments at Our House
- The Everyday Magic
- Ordinary Days, Extraordinary Love
- Around the Kitchen Table
- Sunday Mornings
- Life at [Street or Place Name]
- The House on [Street Name]
Travel and seasons
- Wherever We Go
- The [Last Name] Family Road Trip
- Summer at the Lake
- Our Autumn Days
- Winter Wonderland
- Adventures With [Name]
- Postcards From [Place]
- A Weekend in [Place]
If the book is about a journey, our guides to family car ride ideas and the family gap year may give you themes and memories to name it after. If your book collects pictures from a fall session, see our guide to autumn family portraits for ideas on planning the photos themselves.
Title formulas to make it your own
If none of the lists above feel quite right, try combining a few simple elements.
- Family name + year: “The Garcia Family, 2026”
- Place + feeling: “Happy Days at the Lake”
- A family phrase + subtitle: “Never a Dull Moment: The Smith Family, Year Three”
- A nickname: “Grandpa’s Gang”
- A question and answer: “Where Did the Summer Go? Right Here.”
- A single word: “Together”, “Home”, “Chapters”
- A line from a song, poem or favorite book, if it fits your family and you are comfortable using it.
Mixing a short title with a longer subtitle often gives you the best of both: the title sets the tone and the subtitle tells you what is in the book.
Subtitles and spine
Many photo books let you add a subtitle or text on the spine. Use the subtitle for details such as dates, places and names, so the main title can stay short. A name and year on the spine make it easier to find the right book on a shelf years later.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good title for a photo book?
A good title is short, matches the feeling of the book and includes something personal, such as a surname, place, year or family phrase. “This Is Us” or “[Year] in Pictures” are simple starting points.
What do you call a family picture book?
Common names include family photo book, photo album, family yearbook, memory book and scrapbook. Whatever you call it, the title on the cover is up to you.
What are some good titles for photographs?
For single photographs, short and descriptive works well: a place, a moment or a simple phrase, such as “First Day of Summer” or “Sunday at Grandma’s.”
Should a photo book title be short?
It often helps. Short titles are easy to read and tend to age well. You can add detail in a subtitle.
Can I use a quote?
Many people do. A favorite line from a poem, song or family member can be a lovely title. If you plan to publish or sell the book, it is wise to check whether the quote is protected. For a private family book, it is usually a personal choice.
Can the title be funny?
Yes. If your family enjoys humor, a playful title will make everyone smile every time the book is opened.
Final thoughts
There is no wrong title for a family photo book. Start with the feeling you want, add something personal and keep it simple. If you are still collecting pictures, our ideas in family picture ideas with adults may give you some fresh photos to fill your next book.