One technique I find myself using over and over again is resizing my photos. Lately I rarely create a layout using the standard 4x6 photos but find myself using the Project Life App to resize my photos into 2x3, 3x2, 3x4, 4x3, 4x4 and 2x2. I have four reasons I will use multiple sized photos on my layouts: to create visual interest, to get a better crop of my photos, to get more photos per page and to save money on photo printing.
Creating Visual Interest
On the layout Coloring with Papa, I used 4x6 photos (trimmed down to 3x6), 2x2 photos and 4x3 photos. I love how I was able to accent the title with the 2x2 photos. They create a visual triangle which draws your eye to the title and journaling. It's a great way to draw attention to an area where you want your audience to look. To learn more about creating a visual triangle you can read my blog post Going Home.
Better Cropping
On this layout of Azzy eating strawberries, I was using a sketch that called for a 4-inch circle photo. You cannot cut a four-inch circle out of a 4x6 or 6x4 photo. I took what I thought was the cutest photo of Azzy and printed it as a 5x7 and centered her face on the photo so I could get a circular photo with her adorable face in the center.
Getting More Photos on Your Layout
I have admitted many times I have a picture problem. One of the longest parts of scrapbooking for me is picking out which photos make the cut! I want them all on a layout, but given the amount of photos I take, that is impossible. By resizing my photos to 3x4 or 4x3 I can fit many more photos on a layout either using them as is or cropping them down to a 3x3 inch photo.
I used this technique for layouts of Alyssia, Caleb and Zach's school plays. I had hundreds of photos of their plays, so I picked my favorites and sized them down. I was able to fit 20 photos on my Chicago layout and 12 photos on my Catch Me If You Can layout.
Save Money Printing Photos
You are going to pay per print, so if I can get 2, 3, 4 or 6 photos per print, it just makes sense. From a financial point of view, you get more photos for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't you just crop down a regular 4x6 or 6x4 print?
You can. I have done his many times before I discovered the Project Life app. I have found if you resize your photos, it's easier to keep distracting backgrounds or strangers out of your layout.
Doesn't it take more time to print photos if you resize them?
The answer is yes. It takes a little preplanning and time to figure out what photos you're going to resize, HOWEVER, the time I spend preplanning saves so much time when I get ready to create my actual layout. The math is already done for me, and I can just trim the photos apart and get to work adhering them to the page. I can also photos edit on the road. I'll go through my photos in the car, when I am watching TV, or in waiting rooms.
Since I started resizing photos, I'm loving my layouts! I feel it adds so much to my scrapbooking style and it's so simple to do. With a little planning, you can resize your photos and create some pretty awesome layouts.
To see step-by-step insurrections for resizing your photos in Project Life, Using The Project Life App to Resize Photos.