We’ve officially entered the era of the aesthetic photo dump.
What started as a casual, messy way to post unfiltered moments has now evolved into a creative, storytelling format. Part mood board, part scrapbook, part visual diary. It’s still chill, but now it’s got ✨main character energy✨
If you’ve been wondering how to make your Instagram photo dumps look cool, cohesive, and a little more curated (without killing the vibe), this post is for you.
Here are my favorite tips to help you elevate your dumps and still keep them real:
✦ 1. Pick a Theme (Even Loosely)
Your photo dump doesn’t need to be “curated,” but a little direction helps. Try centering your dump around:
- A moment (“September weekend vibes”)
- A place (“Barcelona film roll 📸”)
- A feeling (“sunny & sleepy”)
- A visual concept (“neutrals & matcha”)
- A time capsule (“August 2025 photo diary”)
Even if the photos are random, a soft theme helps the post feel intentional and easy to engage with.
✦ 2. Mix Photo Types + Angles
The best photo dumps feel dynamic and fun to scroll through. Mix it up with:
- Close-ups + wide shots
- Flat lays + selfies
- Screenshots + IRL photos
- Portrait + landscape crops
- Details (coffee, hands, books) + people + scenes
This gives your dump that scrapbook / film roll feeling people love.
✦ 3. Don’t Over-Edit (But a Little Styling Goes a Long Way)
Photo dumps should feel real, but a soft, consistent tone makes them ✨elevated✨.
- Lightly edit to match lighting or warmth across photos
- Add subtle grain or texture for a film feel
- Optional: use a preset for cohesion (especially if you’re mixing camera types)
You can even add a layer of collage elements. Like tape, paper, stickers, or film strips, to make it feel like a digital journal page.
🛠 Tools: Try Canva, Picsart, Tezza, or my upcoming dump templates (coming soon 👀).
✦ 4. Use Canva Templates to Tell a Story (Not Just a Gallery)
Carousel dumps with layouts make your photo sets feel intentional without looking forced. Think:
- Day in the life
- Monthly recap
- Soft aesthetic storytime
- Mood board dump
- Digital scrapbook
These are especially great for creators, small biz accounts, or lifestyle brands that want to feel more personal without losing style points.
Photo Dump Canva Template Kit
12 Canva carousel templates (10 slides each), designed to make your posts fun, aesthetic, and effortless. Pre-sized for Instagram (1080 x 1350 px), easy to repurpose for Pinterest or other platforms. Editable in Canva (Free or Pro account).
✦ 5. Add Personality with Captions, Stickers, and Text
People love your take on things. Use your voice.
- Add mini titles on each slide (“breakfast,” “sunset walk,” “brain fog”)
- Use tape strips, faux handwriting, emojis, or scribbles
- Add a quote or short caption to wrap the dump like a journal entry
Pro tip: Try creating one photo dump each month. It’s the perfect way to document life while creating content effortlessly.
Want to Make This Even Easier?
If you love the junk journal style that’s trending all over IG and TikTok, I’ve created something special:
✨ A set of 12 Canva templates for monthly photo dumps with layered collage layouts, vintage-inspired elements, and a relaxed aesthetic that makes your life so much easier.
Use them month by month, or mix them however you want.
January photo dump template
February photo dump template
March photo dump template
April photo dump template
May photo dump templates
June photo dump templates
July photo dump templates
August photo dump templates
September photo dump templates
October photo dump templates
November photo dump templates
December photo dump template
Final Thoughts: Keep It Real, Keep It Cute
At the end of the day, photo dumps are all about sharing your vibe.
The little things that made a moment feel special. Whether you’re styling every slide or keeping it messy and raw, what matters is that it feels like you.
So start collecting your snaps, grab your favorite coffee, and get dumping ♥
Love,
Lucy ♡₊˚
