How to Create Cool Photo Dumps for Instagram ⋆ The Aesthetic Shop

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.

✦ 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.
(Coming very soon – check back or join my newsletter for updates!)

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.