I began creating photo grids for my weekend posts in May, 2011.  I think they’re fun and artsy.  I think they’re the perfect way to condense our memories and recap our weekends.

I get a lot of questions about my photo editing {Thank you for asking!} and this is my first tutorial EVER on the subject.  I’ve given it a very thorough step-by-step format and tried to keep it as simple as possible.  Trust me, it really is!  If you like this tutorial, please pin on Pinterest and share the love.  If there’s a big enough demand, I’ll keep them coming.

I’ve divided this tutorial into 2 parts:

//Part One: Creating your Photo Grid

//Part Two: Numbering Your Photo Grid

Now put on some music {Speaking of, Steven added some of my favorites below.  Just click play.} , burn a candle, and have a happy photo editing session!

//Part One: Creating your Photo Grid

STEP ONE :: Go to picmonkey.com…and select “Create a Collage”.

STEP TWO :: Select “Square Deal” and select the 3 x 3 grid.

STEP THREE :: Select “Open” to get your images.

STEP FOUR :: Select 9 photos on your computer {you can select multiple files at one time by holding down the command key as you select.} Then, select “Open” at the bottom right.  You can keep repeating this step if you wish to add more photos or change your mind about your current selection.

STEP FOUR ::  Your photos will drop over there on the left.  Now, just select and drag your photos into your square grid.  You can reposition them to your liking.

STEP FIVE {optional} :: Select the painter’s palette and adjust the spacing to make a thinner white background behind the photos.  {I just think it looks better…you don’t have to do this step!}

STEP SIX :: Select “Save” at the top of picmonkey and then select your quality.  save your collage in a place you’ll remember on your computer.

Save your collage in a place you’ll remember on your computer.

STEP SEVEN :: Go back to picmonkey.com to get to the homepage again. {For some reason, it won’t allow you to go back unless you refresh the page.}  This time, select “Edit a Photo” and open up your pic monkey collage you just saved.

STEP EIGHT :: Select “Effects” on the left.

STEP NINE :: Pick whichever effect suits your fancy.  {I love black & white when I have a variety of photos in different lighting.}

STEP NINE :: “Apply” your effect.

STEP TEN :: Select “Basic Edits” and add any small touches you wish.  I usually heighten the clarity a little and maybe brighten the exposure.

//PART TWO :: NUMBERING YOUR PHOTO GRID

STEP ONE :: Select “Overlays” on the left.

STEP TWO :: Select “Geometric” and then click on the black circle.

Click on it 9 times to be exact…

STEP THREE :: Begin changing your circles to white by selecting each circle and dragging the color wheel on the right to white.

STEP FOUR :: Now you want to fade those circles, so you adjust each one by sliding the fade button to about 55% for each circle.

STEP FIVE :: Adjust the size of your circles by clicking on the top right of the box around each circle and dragging them smaller.  Drag circles to desired places…

STEP SIX :: To add text, click on the “P”.

STEP SEVEN :: Select “Add Text” and a box will appear.  Choose your font.  I love “Special Elite” for numbers!

STEP EIGHT :: Type your numbers in and adjust size if needed.  {I usually make mine pretty small.}  Drag to position over circles.

STEP NINE :: One more thing before you save your photo grid.  Resize.  Select “Basic Effects”.

STEP TEN :: Select “Resize” at the bottom.  Make sure “Keep proportions” is selected.  Type in the width you want your photo grid to be.  I do  my photos now in a 780 px width so as to keep my blog consistent.  I wish I would’ve started doing this a LOT earlier with my blog.  You live and learn. :)

STEP ELEVEN :: You’re done!  Just save your finished photo grid to your computer now…

Just FYI…my photos are all previously saved at a smaller size for web and devices, so I always choose the highest quality file size on picmonkey.  However, if you aren’t in the habit of doing it that way, I suggest you save in the “Pierce” file size on picmonkey so your photos will load faster on your blog.

Go ahead…give yourself a pat on the back and admire your work!

I hope to see you Monday for the link-up party of Our Weekends.  You are welcome to link to just one photo, a million, or you can show off your new skills and link to a photo grid.  Either way, it’s going to be oh-so-fun to see everybody’s photographs!

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