As an avid Instagram user, you likely enjoy posting creative and eye-catching content to engage your followers. One way to create an interesting post is by making an Instagram collage. A collage is an arrangement of multiple images, photos, or other media into a cohesive whole.
By combining several images into one post, you can showcase various aspects of a topic, event or theme.
In 2023, Instagram collages are more popular than ever. The good news is that creating an Instagram collage is easy to do directly within the Instagram app.
With a few simple steps, you can select multiple photos from your camera roll, arrange them into an esthetically-pleasing layout, add filters and effects, and then post your collage to Instagram.
Your followers will surely appreciate your artistic skills and the story or message conveyed through your photo collage.
In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process for making an Instagram collage in 2023. With a little practice, you’ll be designing beautiful and engaging collages to boost your Instagram presence in no time.
Gather Your Photos
To create an eye-catching collage on Instagram, you’ll first want to gather a collection of high-quality photos that you wish to feature.
Select images that are visually cohesive and share a common theme, color scheme, or subject matter. For the best results, choose photos that were taken from a similar vantage point or perspective.
Mixing portrait and landscape orientations can make a collage appear disjointed.
Aim for at least 9 to 16 photos for a well-balanced collage. More than that risks appearing cluttered and busy. Fewer than 9 may seem sparse. As you evaluate your options, look for photos that showcase a diversity of tones, textures, and depths of field.
A combination of close-up shots, midrange photos, and wide landscape images helps create an interesting composition.
Once you have gathered your images, review them to determine how they might fit together in an esthetically pleasing arrangement. Look for natural connections between photos, such as similar colors, shapes, or themes.
Arrange the photos on a table or floor to get a sense of different layouts before creating your digital collage. Take pictures of different options to refer to as needed.
With some time and experimentation, you’ll devise an artful collage that brings your cherished memories together in one shareable image.
Related: Click Here
By choosing a thoughtful selection of complementary photos and playing with creative layouts, you can craft an Instagram collage that is uniquely you.
Your followers are sure to double-tap a collage that provides an inside glimpse into the moments you want to remember and share.
Choose a Collage Layout
To create an eye-catching collage on Instagram, selecting an engaging layout is key. Instagram offers several layout options to choose from:
- Grid: The grid layout arranges your photos in a square grid. This is a simple but versatile option that works well for most collages. You can do a symmetrical grid with equal sized photos or an asymmetrical grid with a mix of photo sizes.
- Freeform: The freeform layout gives you complete flexibility in sizing and positioning your photos. You can overlap photos, use different angles, and create a more artistic collage. However, it may appear cluttered if you include too many photos. Use no more than 9 photos for the best results.
- Reels: The reels layout mimics the reels video format with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This vertical layout is ideal if you want to create a collage that looks like an Instagram reel or story. You can also add text, stickers and effects to enhance your reels collage.
- Story: Similar to the reels layout but with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Creates a wide horizontal collage perfect for an Instagram story. Also allows you to add text, stickers, emojis and effects.
- Highlight cover: Generates a square collage ideal for an Instagram highlight cover. Limited to 9 photos but lets you brand your highlight with a customized collage.
Select a layout that complements your photos and the mood or theme you want to convey. A balanced, uncluttered collage with 7-12 photos usually works best for an Instagram post. Be creative and have fun with it! Your followers will surely appreciate an eye-catching collage.
Use an Instagram Collage App
To create an Instagram collage, using a third-party collage app is the easiest method.
There are many free options available for iOS and Android that allow you to select multiple photos from your Instagram feed and combine them into a single image.
Layout Options
Collage apps provide templates with different layouts to choose from, such as grids, freeform, or shaped. A grid layout arranges your photos in a symmetrical grid pattern.
Freeform lets you place photos wherever you like on the canvas. Shaped templates crop your photos into fun shapes like hearts or stars.
Select a layout that complements your photos and the overall esthetic you want to achieve.
Editing Tools
Once you’ve selected your photos and a layout, the app will automatically add them to the template. Then you can further customize the collage using the provided editing tools. Options may include:
- Resizing and repositioning photos. Make some photos larger or smaller and move them around the canvas.
- Adding spacing or changing the cell size. Increase or decrease the space between photos or make the photo cells larger or smaller.
- Applying filters. Choose from a selection of filters to apply to your entire collage or individual photos.
- Adding text, stickers or frames. Include text captions, decorative frames or stickers to embellish your collage.
- Changing the background. Select a solid color or patterned background to replace the default white background.
Sharing Your Creation
When your collage is complete, save the final image to your camera roll. You can then upload it to Instagram as a new post or add it to your Instagram story.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags to help other users discover your creative collage. Collage apps make it simple to craft an eye-catching collaged image to share with your Instagram followers.
With a variety of templates and editing features at your fingertips, you can produce a one-of-a-kind photo collage in just a few minutes.
Add Effects and Filters (Optional)
Once you have added photos, captions, and tags to your Instagram collage, you can enhance it by applying effects and filters. While optional, effects and filters can help improve the overall esthetic of your collage.
Adjust Brightness and Contrast
To make your photos more cohesive, adjust the brightness and contrast levels. Tap the photo you want to edit, then tap the “Edit” icon. Slide the brightness slider to the right to make the photo brighter or to the left to make it darker.
Adjust the contrast in the same way. Repeat for the remaining photos in your collage.
Apply a Filter
Instagram offers a variety of filters that can alter the tone, color, and style of your photos with one tap. Tap the photo you want to edit, then tap the “Edit” icon.
Swipe through the different filter options at the bottom of the screen to preview how each one affects your photo. Tap the filter you want to apply.
Repeat for the remaining photos in your collage. For a cohesive look, apply the same filter to all photos or choose filters from the same color family.
Make Minor Adjustments
In addition to brightness, contrast and filters, the Instagram editing tools allow you to make other minor adjustments to your photos like saturation, warmth, highlights, shadows, etc. Experiment with different sliders to achieve your desired effect.
Subtle changes can make a big difference in the overall cohesion and quality of your collage.
Add Text or Stickers (Optional)
If desired, you can add text, stickers or emoji to your collage to enhance the visuals or further convey your message. Tap the photo you want to edit, then tap the “Edit” icon. Tap the “Text” or “Sticker” icon to add text or decorative stickers.
Resize, reposition and customize as needed. Repeat for the remaining photos in your collage.
Following these optional steps to add effects and filters to your Instagram collage photos can help transform your collage into a polished, professional final product that you will be proud to share.
With some experimentation, you’ll be creating eye-catching collages in no time.
Conclusion
As you have seen, creating an Instagram collage is an easy process that allows you to combine multiple photos into a single image to share on social media. With a few simple steps, you can arrange your photos into an eye-catching collage layout using the tools provided by Instagram or a third-party app.
Whether you want to highlight your favorite memories from the year or promote an event, product, or business, an Instagram collage is an engaging way to creatively tell your story.
Now that you know how to make a basic collage, you can start experimenting with different layouts, filters, and editing techniques to develop your own unique style.
With regular practice, making Instagram collages will become second nature.
