Hello,
Why don’t you give PhotoPrism a try?
It lacks way behind of NextCloud a standalone, robust backend (file management / server / etc) but when it comes to Media albums, it is just way better and snappier than NextCloud’s default photo app.
NextCloud isn’t actually built for just photos and videos. Its a very powerful enterprise tool, which happens to have this neat feature or photo and media management.
Beauty of Open Source and Self-Hosting is this freedom of individual need based custom solutions. So I use combination of both.
I am actually an user who is on the same boat as you are. Since primary need of my NextCloud is to replace Google Photos and Google Drive. Here is an overview of my setup,
NextCloud (Snap) Server → Back end (user / storage managemen)
NextCloud andorid / ios apps → For auto uploading / backup the media from client devices to their respective NextCloud acc.
PhotoPrism (Docker) → Backend (separate docker container for individual NextCloud users)
PhotoPrism webapp → on client devices for easy organizing their media as it feels very intuitive and similar to what people are used to with Google Photos or other social platforms.
Now, best thing about this setup is that you don’t have to force anyone to use it by replacing their other backup / storage options… It can run parallel to their existing method of storage / backup. So let them keep on using and comparing and choose later on.
Thanks.