Hi Everyone!  Christy here with this week’s Saturday Special.  This week we are going to focus on creating layouts with lots of photos!  I don’t really have a fancy tutorial for you…but I do want to share some tips and tricks and encourage each of you to give a multi photo layout a try!
 
When I am making a LO with lots of pics, the first thing I do is edit and crop my photos and then throw them all onto a blank page.  I really believe in “fidelity to my photos”…I encourage you to crop your pics in the way that best suits the PHOTO and not to try to make them a certain size or shape for the sake of a layout… After all, the photos are what’s important here, right?  I LOVE multiphoto layouts with photos of varying shapes and sizes. I think that adds great energy and dimension to a page… so don’t be afraid to mix it up.   Once the photos are on the page, I start arranging them.  I think it almost always works best to keep the photos in a group/cluster (e.g. touching or close together) rather than spread out randomly across a page.  So, work on grouping your photos together.  This can be in a more side by side, linear kind of arrangement or in a cluster type arrangement.  My favorite (and I think the easiest) is to just kind of overlap/cluster them. Sometimes I give each one a little twist or turn, just to add some fun and energy. Sometimes I also add a thin white border around each photo to add some definition. Next, I shadow my photos.  Shadows are really important in multiphoto layouts because they will further define and distinguish your photos. Pay attention to the visible edges, and try to make those the ones with the shadows. You will need to play with your layering a little and see what looks best. Once I have my photos placed, I then add my paper, and finally I start adding some embellies.  You can still use lots of fun embellishments on a multiphoto layout… You just need to play with your layers. I sometimes cut some paper strips or shapes and tuck them here and there… As far as embellies, I will look for a spot that seems a little bare, or an edge that looks like it needs some more dimension and add a button or a flower, or whatever. Don’t be afraid to tuck and layer…. And make sure you play with your shadows… Make the shadows on your flowers and “bulkier” embellies bigger than those on your photos and papers.   Ok… last, I usually add my title and journaling. If, at this point, you feel like you have run out of room, here’s a trick that often helps… Group everything except your background paper and shrink it down a bit.  (This is a useful trick for adding more white space to your page as well.) You can scoot the grouping a little to one side or the other… or do whatever you need to do in order to make room for your title and journaling…  I love a good title… so spend some time shadowing and adding embellies to the title…. And of course, take a minute to journal.  You must have SOMETHING to say about all of those photos!
 
Alrighty, that’s about it. Are you ready to give it a try?  Your Saturday Special Challenge  this week is to create a layout using AT LEAST 6 different photos. That’s the ONLY rule… not so tough, right?  

 
Here’s a layout I just did:
 

Using “Life’s a Beach” and “Life’s a Beach — Snipettes” by Sahlin Studios.

And here’s some inspiration from our fabulous CT:

From Plum Dumpling Designs

Using: White Christmas and Boys of Summer by Britt-ish Designs, Holiday Cheer by WM[squared] Designs, and Mini-Glitz Alpha and Iconology: Christmas by Plum Dumpling Designs

From VirginiaJen

Using: Kit is Patriotic Pride by Trixie Scraps. 2009’s are from Double Dates by Fluffy Bunny Feet. Stitches are from In Stitches: Basics by Brittney of Britt-ish Designs. Staple is from Half Moon Bay by Chelle’s Creations. Font is Monster Paparazzi

From Kv2av

Using: Sahlin Studio’s Lots of Photos Blocked Templates and Happy Scrap Girl’s NEW kit Sense of Adventure.

From Cyndi146

Using: Jingle all the Way by GG Digital Designs; All Stitched Up Alpha by Chelle’s Creations; Mini-Glitz Alpha, Iconology: Christmas & Messy Christmas by Plum Dumpling Designs

From Cristina

Using: In the Summer Time by Juno Designs. We’re Just Dating v. 2 by Britt-ish Designs. Font: Pea Olson
 
Have fun! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.  I am always looking for great new ideas for multiphoto layouts… so, I expect I will be scraplifting some of you!  Happy scrapping!!