How to Make a Collage in Lightroom Classic

Creating a collage in Lightroom Classic can feel overwhelming, especially if you are new to the software. You might have great photos, but struggle to arrange them in a way that looks polished and balanced. This can slow down your workflow and make finishing projects stressful.

Luckily, making a collage doesn’t have to be complicated. Lightroom offers tools and templates that make it easier to organize your photos and design layouts that look professional. In the sections below, you will learn a step-by-step process to create your own collage or use a template, so you can save time and produce stunning results for your clients.

The Value of a Lightroom Collage

A Lightroom collage is a single image made by combining several photos into one layout. It allows multiple moments or angles to be shown together. Collages have grown in popularity as social media platforms and digital editing tools make it easier to create and share them. In professional photography, collages are often used for events like weddings to show key moments in a compact format. They provide value by helping photographers present work efficiently and giving clients a clear, organized view of their memories.

Value for You as the Wedding Photographer

Creating collages offers more than just a way to display images. For wedding photographers, collages demonstrate an eye for composition and balance across multiple photos, showing how individual shots work together as a cohesive story.

They also reveal a consistent style and editing approach. Potential clients can quickly understand the photographer’s aesthetic and the quality they can expect, building trust before a single consultation.

Beyond showcasing skills, collages serve as an effective marketing tool. They can be shared on social media, websites, or printed portfolios, helping to attract new clients and highlight the photographer’s expertise in a visually compelling way.

Value for Your Clients

Collages give clients a fresh and creative way to remember their wedding day. They show more of the story than a single photo can, capturing moments, emotions, and small details together. This helps clients relive their day with depth and feeling.

Photographers can also turn collages into keepsakes. They work well for thank-you cards, photo gifts, or framed displays. Clients get a meaningful and lasting memory they can enjoy in many ways.

Core Considerations for a Lightroom Collage

Creating a Lightroom collage that stands out goes beyond just arranging photos. For a wedding collage to catch attention and appeal to clients, it must follow key design rules. These rules include balance, alignment, proximity, and theme.

Balance

Balance is about how elements are arranged in a design. In a collage, it refers to how the individual photos are placed within the space. A well-balanced collage feels harmonious and is easier for viewers to enjoy.

Symmetrical balance occurs when elements are arranged evenly on either side of the center. For example, placing photos of the same size on each side creates a sense of order and calm. This type of balance works well for clean and formal designs.

Asymmetrical balance happens when the arrangement is slightly off-center. This can be done by varying the size of photos or placing the visual focus to one side. Asymmetrical balance adds movement and interest, making the collage feel more dynamic.

Alignment

Alignment is a key design principle that organizes elements in a collage, making the composition clear and visually appealing.

Edge alignment lines up the edges of photos with each other or the collage borders, creating structure and stability. Center alignment positions elements along a central line, emphasizing symmetry and balance.

Both methods work well in Lightroom collages; the choice depends on the number of images and the desired visual style. Proper alignment ensures a polished, cohesive layout.

Proximity

Proximity refers to the distance between elements in a design. In a collage, it determines how close or far apart the photos appear from one another. Proper use of proximity helps viewers understand relationships between images and creates a sense of organization.

When arranging photos in a Lightroom collage, spacing is key. Images placed too far apart can feel disconnected, while images that are too close may appear crowded. Maintaining balanced distances guides the viewer’s eye and creates a cohesive visual flow.

A practical approach is to keep spacing consistent across all images. Even if the collage has many photos or just a few, uniform gaps ensure the composition feels intentional. Using grids or alignment tools can make this process easier and produce a polished final result.

Understanding Theme in Collages

Theme refers to a consistent style, tone, or treatment applied across all images in a collage. It gives the work a unified look. Without a clear theme, collages can feel disjointed or scattered. Maintaining a theme helps the viewer focus and understand the story behind the images.

A strong theme can come from using a single subject or location. For example, a series of images from a beach trip will naturally feel cohesive if the focus remains on sand, water, and sunset moments. Consistency in subject matter creates visual harmony.

Lighting, color balance, and other elements also shape the theme. Matching brightness, shadows, or color tones across images keeps them connected. Even small differences in lighting or color can make a collage feel uneven. Paying attention to these details improves the overall flow and feel.

Mastering these design principles takes practice. Photographers can develop their eye for consistency over time. Using templates or preset layouts in Lightroom can make it easier to maintain a strong theme while editing multiple images.

Make a Collage in Lightroom

Creating a collage in Lightroom Classic is simpler than many photographers realize. Even though Lightroom doesn’t include a dedicated collage tool, the Picture Package layout inside the Print Module gives you a quick, template-based way to combine multiple photos into one clean design. It’s ideal for simple multi-photo layouts, social media posts, mood boards, or preview sheets for clients.

Follow the steps below to create your collage using Picture Package.

Step 1: Import Your Photos

Start by getting your images into Lightroom:

1. Click Import in the Library Module.
   

2. Select the folder containing your images.
   

3. Choose the photos you want to use for your collage.
   

4. Click Import.
   

Your selected images will appear in the Filmstrip and are ready to drop into a layout.

Step 2: Go to the Print Module

The Print Module controls all layout-based output in Lightroom.

• Click Print in the top-right area of Lightroom Classic.
  

• Your workspace will switch to the layout design view.

Step 3: Choose “Picture Package”

Instead of building a collage manually, Picture Package gives you a ready-made structured grid.

In the Layout Style panel on the right:

Select Picture Package.

Picture Package automatically creates a page with repeated cell sizes. Unlike Custom Package, it focuses on uniform layouts and fixed image ratios. This makes it ideal for clean, symmetrical collages.

Step 4: Choose or Adjust the Page Size

Before adding images, set the canvas size.

1. Click Page Setup (bottom-left).
   

2. Select your desired size, either a standard option or a custom dimension.
   

3. Confirm and return to Lightroom.
   

The layout instantly adjusts to match the page size.

Step 5: Select Your Cell Layout

Picture Package creates a layout based on cell sizes and repetitions.

In the Cells panel:

• You’ll see preset print sizes (2×2, 4×6, 5×7, etc.).
  

• Clicking a cell size adds it to your page.
  

• Lightroom stacks multiple cells automatically to fill the grid.
  

You can add as many cells as you want to create a symmetrical collage.

Note: Picture Package uses the same photo in all cells by default. But we’ll change that in the next step.

Step 6: Allow Different Photos in Each Cell

By default, Picture Package assumes that you are printing multiple copies of one image.

To turn your layout into a collage:

1. Scroll down to the Image Settings panel.
   

2. Turn on Use: Draw Images from Filmstrip.
   

Now each cell can contain a different photo.

Step 7: Drag Photos Into the Cells

Once individual images are allowed:

• Drag a photo from the Filmstrip into any cell.
  

• Continue dragging different photos into the remaining cells.
  

• Lightroom automatically fits them inside the cell.
  

If you need to reposition a photo:

• Click the cell and drag the image inside to adjust the crop.

Step 8: Customize the Layout

Picture Package is more structured than Custom Package, but you still have control over styling.

Add Borders

• Enable Stroke Border in the Image Settings panel.
  

• Adjust thickness and color to match your design style.

Change Background Color

Use the Page panel to switch from white to any color you prefer.

Adjust Margins and Spacing

The Layout panel lets you control:

• Top / Bottom margins
  

• Left / Right margins
  

• Cell spacing

These settings help create a clean, balanced collage.

Step 9: Export Your Collage

To save your collage as a single image:

1. Scroll to the Print Job panel.
   

2. Change Print To → JPEG File.
   

3. Choose your desired resolution.
   

4. Click Print to File.
   

5. Save the final collage to your computer.

You now have a finished collage using Lightroom Classic’s Picture Package layout.

Use a Lightroom Collage Template

Using a template can make creating a wedding collage faster. Photographers can save time because the layout is already set.

Templates have a limitation. They do not allow as much creative freedom as designing a collage from scratch. Some adjustments may feel limited.

There are many templates available online. Some are free, and others are paid. A wide selection allows photographers to find a style that fits their project.

Professional templates follow solid design principles. This helps ensure the final collage looks polished and balanced. Using a template can give consistent results with less effort.

1. Import Your Photos in Lightroom

Before creating a collage, all photos should be imported into Lightroom. This step ensures that you have everything ready for the next stages.

Use consistent import settings for each photo. Apply the same color, exposure, and cropping standards. Keeping settings uniform helps the collage look smooth and balanced.

Proper preparation makes arranging the photos easier. It also keeps the overall design consistent. A well-prepared set of images leads to a collage that flows naturally and looks professional.

2. Select and Download Your Collage Template

Photographers have many options for Lightroom collage templates. Some are free, while others are paid. Both types can help save time and give a polished look to your work.

Professional templates can be found on popular photography or design sites. Some examples include marketplaces and template libraries that focus on creative resources. Browsing these sites can help you find a template that matches your style.

After downloading, some templates come in zipped folders. You will need to unzip these files to access the individual templates. Once unzipped, the templates are ready to import into Lightroom and use in your collage projects.

3. Import the Template Into Lightroom

Start by opening the Print module in Lightroom. Create a new folder under the Template Browser. Give this folder a clear, descriptive name. This will help you find the template easily later.

4. Select “Import.”

Next, click “Import” in the Template Browser. Navigate to the location where you extracted your template files. Select the template you want to add and confirm. Lightroom will place it in the folder you just created.

5. Open the Template in Lightroom and Add Your Photos

Open the imported template. Drag or select the photos you want to use and place them into the template slots. Make sure each photo fits well within its frame. Adjust positioning if needed to maintain a clean layout.

6. Create a Collage Ready for Printing

Once all photos are in place, review the collage. It can now be exported for printing or shared online. Using templates helps you create polished collages quickly. This approach also shows your attention to detail and professionalism to clients.

Conclusion:

Creating a collage in Lightroom Classic brings your photos together in a clear and engaging way. Following simple steps and keeping design principles in mind helps every collage look balanced and polished. Whether you design from scratch or use a template, consistent preparation and careful arrangement make a big difference. Collages not only showcase your skills as a photographer but also give clients a meaningful way to enjoy and remember their special day. With practice, each collage will feel easier to make and more satisfying to share.

FAQs:

Do I need advanced Lightroom skills to make a collage?
No. You can start with basic Lightroom knowledge. Using templates can make the process even easier.

Can I use any photo for a collage?
Yes. You can use any photo, but edited and high-quality images give the best results.

Should I design a collage from scratch or use a template?
Both options work. Designing from scratch gives full creative control. Templates save time and ensure a balanced layout.

How many photos can I include in a collage?
Lightroom doesn’t set a strict limit. Choose as many as fit your layout without making it feel crowded.

Can I print my collage directly from Lightroom?
Yes. After arranging your photos, you can export your collage for printing or share it online.

How do I keep my collage consistent in style?
Use similar colors, lighting, and photo edits. Following a theme helps the collage look cohesive and polished.