Turning Travel Memories into Magazine Masterpieces

Whenever I travel, I make it a point to take as many photographs as I can. I lean toward a POV (point of view) style when it comes to travel snaps—just a few selfies for posterity, and the rest are scenic landscapes, macro details, and architectural highlights. I shoot with purpose, knowing that these photos will later live on in photobooks, scrapbooks, handmade postcards, desktop wallpapers, or even a travel magazine of my own.

I’ve learned that you don’t need to be in every shot to prove you were there. A handful of selfies is enough to validate your presence. That way, the rest of your shots—uncluttered and wide—become versatile material for creative projects like a DIY travel book.

For detailed instructions on how to make a soft or hardbound travel book, visit the how-to article on my arts and crafts blog.

Beyond the Hardcover: Try a Custom Travel Magazine

Unknown to many, Photobook offers a custom magazine or booklet option—an exciting alternative to the traditional hardcover or softcover formats. This format is not only significantly more affordable, but also ships faster from Malaysia where it is printed. You can upgrade to thicker paper and enhanced color printing for a more premium feel.

Their A4 or A5 size travel magazines feature saddle-stitch binding, so they require a gentler touch when flipping through pages—but the payoff is a sleek, modern aesthetic. You can either build your magazine from scratch or use one of their pre-designed templates, like the Travel Explorer theme.

Creative Inspiration: Think SMILE Magazine

One of my biggest inspirations is SMILE, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific. While the current issues are more ad-heavy and less photo-centric, the early editions had a strong visual identity—especially in their cover layouts.

Here’s how to channel that look:

Foreground: the traveler
You (or your subject) should be in the frame—but not dominate it.
Background: the story
The scenery should always tell a larger story. The bridge or mountain behind you should be more prominent than your face.
Photography tip:
Use wide-angle shots to create a sense of place. These work especially well across two-page centerfold spreads.
Image quality matters:
The higher the resolution, the sharper and more print-ready your layout will be.