How to Make a Nice Photo Collage

A photo collage is a nice way to display your photographs from a special, once in a lifetime event such as a wedding or graduation party. If you have a lot of pictures tucked away in a drawer somewhere, why not get to work on making a collage? A framed photo collage also makes a teriffic and unique gift. For example, a collage made up of pictures of the children or a mom with her kids at various points in their lives would make a fantastic gift any mother would be sure to love.

There are two approaches to making a nice photo collage I would recommend, depending on the level of effort and creativity you are willing to put in. You do not have to have the vision of an artist or be particularly skilled at arts and crafts. I am neither a great artist or much of a crafter, but I have created a few photo collages that I am very proud of and other people have loved. If I can do it anyone can. The first way is to simply buy a photo collage frame to house the pictures you wish to display. Collage photo frames like the one pictured below can be purchased locally or online without much difficulty. The second approach involves more time, some glue and a sharp pair of scissors. :)

Regardless of which approach you choose, start by deciding on a theme. Baby photos and wedding pictures make for great collages as do vacations, anniversaries, pictures of pets or photos taken at any memorable event.

If you are using a pre-made collage picture frame, once you decide on a theme it is really just a matter of selecting your favorite photos and adding them in the appropriate spots. You can experiment with different pictures and placements until you are satisfied with the results.

For the more adventurous, meaning those who want to try making a free form photo montage, once the theme has been determined pick out the photographs you wish to use and order duplicate photo prints of them. You may need to trim some of the pictures and you will have to glue them into position so not having a copy would be a shame if anything goes wrong or you change your mind at some point.

You need a photo frame so find one you like and make sure it will hold all of the pictures you have selected. If you have picked out a spot for the finished product to hang once it is completed, you can consider factors in addition to size such as the color, style and material of the frame.

Other tools you will need include sharp scissors for trimming pictures and some sort of adhesive to secure them in place. Glue used should be acid free and permanent. You can usually find acid free glue sticks and other adhesives designed for photos wherever you can buy scrapbooking supplies. You will also need some acid free paper or poster board to glue the images onto and put into the frame.

Once you have all of the materials together, cut your paper or poster board to fit the frame you have selected. Arrange your pictures on the surface before you glue anything down. You can trim your photos to fit or cut them into interesting shapes. Attach your pictures to your paper or poster board with your acid free adhesive. Allow ample time for the adhesive to dry before you frame your collage.

Whether you are looking for a one of a kind gift or just want to display some of your cherished photographs in a unique and interesting way, making a photo collage is a wonderful idea. Making a collage is fun and the finished product will inspire a lot of conversation and smiles.