How to Make a Photo Collage That Looks Good

A collage puts several photos in one picture. It's a nice way to share a trip, an event or a product from different angles. A few choices make the difference between a tidy collage and a messy one.

Start with the number of photos

Pick a layout that matches how many photos you have. Two or three large photos have more impact than nine tiny ones. Grids of four and six are neutral and tidy. A layout with one big photo and a few small ones gives the eye somewhere to start.

Choosing photos that go together

• Look for a common color, light or subject, so the set feels like one story.
• Mix wide shots with close-ups, which gives the collage some rhythm.
• Put the strongest photo in the biggest space.
• Avoid pictures with the subject right at the edge. Each photo is cropped from the middle to fill its space, and an off-center subject can be cut off.

Shape and size

Pick the shape for where it will be seen: square for most feeds, 4:5 for tall feed posts, 9:16 for stories and 16:9 for videos and slides. If you aren't sure how those numbers work, the Aspect Ratio Calculator explains them. The Collage Maker saves at 1080, 1600 or 2400 pixels wide.

Spacing and corners

• A small gap, 1 to 3 percent, looks neat. None at all gives a bolder, modern look.
• Rounded corners feel friendly. Keep them small for a classic look.
• A white background suits most photos. A dark one makes bright pictures stand out.

Before you share

Large photos give a large file. If you plan to send the collage by email or use it on a page, resize it with the Image Resizer or shrink it so it loads quickly. Keep the originals, because a collage can't be pulled apart again.