Stories may not have always been part of Instagram, but today it’s clear that users “like” them. At least 500 million accounts use Instagram Stories every day, but not all content is created equal. Some posts have more impact than others, and using different formats can take your social media game to the next level.
In this post, you’ll get a crash course in photo collage best practices. Plus, we’ll share Instagram Story photo collage ideas you can use to show off your best shots and make others want to keep up with your content.
Collages make sense for all different kinds of Instagram Stories. They’re great for showcasing several photos from life events, sharing a big idea, or even creating a visual time capsule of movements you want to remember. They’re also a fun way to express yourself artistically.
The key is to understand what makes a photo collage stand out and engage your followers.
5 Best Practices for Photo Collages
Every photo tells a story, but keeping it cohesive and visually appealing becomes a little more challenging in a collage. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you create.
1. Gather Photos That Work Together
The first step is to find photos that work well together. For example, if you want to create a collage for an event like your wedding or vacation, start by gathering all the photos from that event in one place.
If you don’t have specific parameters on your theme, consider what will look aesthetically pleasing together.
2. Select Your Angles
If you’re including multiple images of the same people in one collage, try using different angles for each photo. This will help keep the viewer engaged and prevent them from getting bored with the same pose over and over again.
For example, if you’re showing shots of people standing side by side, try including other shots from above or below
3. Consider Cropping Your Images
For each image, choose whether it should be cropped or not. Cropping can help improve the composition of your image, so it’s worth experimenting with different crops until you find something that works well with the rest of your collage.
4. Choose Complementary Colors
Now, think about what colors will be featured throughout your collage and how they will work with the photos you choose. If you’re going traditional with a black-and-white color scheme for all your images, choose muted shades such as gray or ivory for your photo collage.
If you want something more colorful, try using bright shades. Not sure how to create the look you want? Experiment with different combinations.
5. Avoid Clutter and Overcrowding
A photo collage is meant to showcase multiple photos at once, but that doesn’t mean you should use every photo you have. Be sure to leave enough space between each picture so that it’s easy for viewers to see all of them and get a sense of how they relate to one another.
Negative space is your friend.
3 Instagram Story Photo Collage Ideas
Not sure where to start with your design? We’re here to help. Here’s some inspiration for creating collages on Instagram:
1. Include Different Parts of Your Life
It’s your Instagram account, so use it to show off the things that are important or special to you. One of the best things about photo collages is that you don’t have to settle for just a few of your favorite shots. Include everything you want to share.
2. Show Different Perspectives on the Same Topic
Is there something really important happening that you want to shine a spotlight on? This is a way to show off different movements across your city and how they’re being represented.
3. Highlight a Theme or Idea
For example, if this week was all about trends in fashion, then try including some fashion images from both designers’ collections along with other items related to their work. You may even be able to mix and match event photos with photos of you showing off particular items.
How to Make Your Own Photo Collage
Ready to bring your Instagram story photo collage ideas to life? Using Shutterstock Create, you can craft a collage on your own or with our templates.
Here’s how it works:
Prepare Your Canvas
In Create, select Custom Size and enter the dimensions for your collage. 1080 x 1920 pixels is the best size for an Instagram Story.
Find a Starting Point
From here, search templates or continue on with a blank canvas. You’ll have access to thousands of fonts, graphics, textures, effects, and color combinations to pick from.
If you want to start with a template instead, simply click Templates then search and select one that meets your needs. No matter what you choose, you’ll have access to the same customization options.
Make Design Changes
Click on any element to make your adjustments and see what options are available to you in the toolbar on the left side of the editor.
Select Your Visuals
Update images or graphics to meet your needs by clicking Images or Graphics. From here, you can upload, browse through the photo library, or select from your catalog.
Download Your Photo Collage
When you’re ready to download, click the Download button in the top-right corner and select your preferred format. From here, you can save the design to your system and prepare to upload it to your Instagram account.
Want to learn even more about creating compelling photo collages? Check out these posts next:
License this cover image mockup via Master1305, Gemma Ferrando / Westend61, in freedom we trust, Gemma Ferrando / Westend61, Master1305, Master1305, and Master1305.
