One Simple Photo Gift You Can Make in 5 Minutes (Really)

You know that feeling when your phone tells you it's out of storage — again?

And you scroll through, looking at all the blurry playground photos, the screenshots of Amazon returns, and then — suddenly — a moment that hits you right in the chest. A little smile. A tiny hand. A fleeting second of magic you meant to do something with.

But then life kept going.

That’s the problem with memory-keeping for most parents:
You’re taking a million photos, but they’re stuck in the cloud. You don’t want a huge, complicated project. You just want to see your people. In real life. Every day.

That’s why I love photo mugs.

A memory you can hold in your hands

Every morning I walk into my kitchen, open the cabinet, and reach for a mug.

Some of them have my daughters on them. Others show my nieces or nephews. A few were made as gifts I forgot to give (oops), but I kept them anyway — and now they’re my favorites.

Holding a warm cup of coffee, especially as the seasons change, feels like a grounding ritual. And when the mug has a face I love on it?

That’s a little burst of joy. 

This is the exact kind of small-but-meaningful moment we celebrate every month for the 1-2 year olds who are enrolled in my Iconic Photo Monthly. One photo, one memory — made tangible.

The easiest photo project you’ll actually finish

Let’s be honest: you don’t need another app. Or another “scrapbook starter kit” that requires you to find scissors and glue and 6 hours of time you do not have.

A custom mug takes five minutes to make.
You upload one photo, choose a design (or not), click order. Done.

And later — when the mug shows up at your door — it doesn’t just sit on a shelf.
You use it. You see it. Every single day.

This is exactly the energy behind Iconic Photo Monthly — my no-pressure subscription for parents of 1-2 year olds that helps you get one incredible photo of your toddler each month. Not 200. Just one. Worth printing. Worth framing. Worth using.

It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being present.

Your photos deserve better than the cloud

You’re not doing it wrong.

You’re just busy.

And honestly, the way we take photos now? It’s overwhelming on purpose.

So many parents I know have thousands of toddler photos on their phones, but barely anything printed. And it makes sense. It’s hard to know what’s “good enough,” how to organize them, or what’s even worth saving.

That’s why I created Iconic Photo Monthly. Every month, I send you one photo idea (based on your toddler’s exact age), with quick tips via text and email to help you actually get the shot. It’s not overwhelming — it’s empowering.

That’s ALSO why I’m starting something new this fall. My new:

It’s a once-a-month feature where I’ll share one product, idea, or tool I actually use to turn your favorite photos into something real.

No pressure. Just suggestions you can come back to when you’re ready.

Want to make a photo mug? Here’s how.

Here are a few photo mug companies I like:

• Mpix - Here's their page of current sales (I made the mug you see on here at Mpix, I love them!)

• Amazon - endless options, here are a few I like.

• Staples – Here's their page of current sales. I love their printing services and their mugs are great.

Tips for choosing the right photo:

• Zoom in. Crop close on your child’s face for big emotional impact.

• Skip the group shots — this is for one person’s sweet face.

• Choose something that makes you smile when you see it. That’s all that matters.

In fact, if you’re already part of Iconic Photo Monthly, check your email or texts for this month’s photo prompt — it might be the perfect one to use!

You don’t need a whole album. You just need one photo.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for not finishing the baby book (hi, I still haven’t finished my second child’s), this is your permission slip to go easy on yourself.

You don’t need a 200-page album.

You need one photo. On one mug. That you reach for in the morning.

That’s enough.

I’ll be back next month with another photo gift I love. This is the start of my new Iconic Set's Photo Gift Lab. Can't wait to get it going!

If you make a mug from one of your photos, tag me on Instagram @phonephotoswithjess — I’d love to see the face you chose.

Here’s to little rituals. And to actually seeing the people we love.

xx
Jess

P.S. and if you have a 1-2 year old, check out my Iconic Photo Monthly program, I really think you'll love it.