Exploring Europe through moody, meaningful photography
Storyteller: Jason Bloomfield, Australia
For Australian storyteller Jason Bloomfield, a five-week journey across Europe became more than a holiday - it became a turning point and a defining travel milestone. Travelling by campervan through dramatic alpine landscapes, he discovered a new creative outlet behind the lens, capturing the quiet, the chaotic, and the deeply human moments that shaped the adventure. His Europe photo book brings these memories together in a moody, meaningful collection - proof of how powerful thoughtfully curated photo books and photo albums can be in preserving the stories that matter most.
What format did you choose to create your keepsake and why?
I decided to go with a Portrait Premium Photo Book and a dark cover (Black Buckram/Coated Cloth) to reflect the moody black and white photos throughout the book. This book is the antithesis to the colour photos which are bright and airy.
Why did you create your keepsake?
This trip was unique; my best friend and I, a rented campervan, and five weeks to see the alps of Europe. It was an experience unlike any I have had before and has already inspired so many future adventures. Capturing that - the catalyst for more - was what I wanted to show in this collection.
What image do you love most from your keepsake?
The photo across pages 20-21 of my travel book is a perfect photo to me. It shows the emotions, the passion, and the love of the sport during that leg of the Tour De France. Each time I look at it I am reminded of the sounds of that day (mostly people screaming "Allez!").
Do you have an interesting story behind a single shot in the book?
There’s a group photo early in the book with some ladies that made me a movie star! Not really, but they did ask me to be their star in a "DON'T LITTER" ad that will be played around the Chamonix area in 2026. I was tasked with taking a swig of beer (at 9:00am), leaving the bottle and walking away. I played my part to perfection (I think, I can't speak French, and their English was a little broken). But after that I had to take their photo, and it turned out so beautiful and perfect. I always smile when I look at that photo.
What does your keepsake mean to you and your family?
This photo book is a timely reminder that I should continue to see the world. To take my camera and document what I see - even if I am the only one who will see it.
What inspires you to take photos in general?
I am quite new to photography, only picking the hobby up this year. I was inspired to document this adventure using photography as it was something new and exciting to me! For me taking photos is a way to slow down and think about where I am, whether that is on an adventure, at a gathering with friends, or even just on a walk. Just take those extra few moments to just be in the moment, you'll thank yourself for it. I know I have.
What inspires you creatively?
I love how flexible photography is. I can explore so many different techniques. The photos in the book are grouped not in the order of the holiday but by how I shot them. I have been extremely inspired by infrared photography and how we are seeing light that the human eye can't see. There is something so magical about capturing that. The fact I can explore that with photography is endlessly inspiring and makes me hungry to see how far I can take the different styles of photos I am interested in.
What bit of advice would you offer to someone creating their own MILK memento?
Take your time, enjoy the process! Just remember that the book should reflect what you love about the photos so experiment with how different groupings look and feel together. There are no wrong answers.
Jason’s keepsake is a tribute to exploration—both of the world and of his growing passion for photography. His MILK Photo Book preserves the spirit of a journey that shaped him, a reminder to keep seeking new horizons, new inspirations, and new ways of seeing. Through his thoughtfully curated images, he invited us into the heart of his adventure, proving that the most meaningful stories are the ones we choose to preserve. His adventurous captures offer beautiful inspiration for anyone creating their own MILK Photo Book, Album, or Magazine, and shows just how meaningful it can be to transform travel memories into a timeless keepsake. Start creating your own travel keepsake in our Design Studio.