Custom Family Collage & Fine Art Print
Background/Context
Role: Digital Artist & Retouching Specialist
Tools Used: Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Epson P9000
Company: Omega Photo
Overview
This project was a custom family collage created as a gift for grandparents to display in their home. The client brought in four family photos on a USB drive along with a frame they planned to use, which helped guide the final size and layout decisions from the beginning.
The goal was to design a collage that felt balanced, intentional, and ready to frame without requiring any additional customization.
Process
Planning and Sizing
The client’s frame was sized for a 16×16 print and included a 1-inch mat. To ensure a clean fit, I recommended designing the collage at 14×14, leaving a 1-inch margin around the artwork to make matting easier and avoid trimming issues.
With the final size set, I focused on how to best crop and arrange the four images so they worked together visually.
Layout and Composition
I decided to crop the two individual photos of the girls into square formats, which allowed the image of them hugging to remain vertical and feel naturally centered. The family photo was placed at the top of the collage since it carried the most visual and emotional importance.
Because the two girls were hugging in one image, it helped guide placement for the individual portraits so the flow of the collage felt natural and connected.
I added a thin white line between each image to create separation without making the design feel overly segmented. This also ensured the collage could be framed easily without requiring a custom mat with multiple cutouts.
Results and Print Production
Results and Reflection
The final print fit perfectly within the client’s frame, and the colors reproduced beautifully on fine art paper. The client was very pleased with the result and loved how the collage came together visually.
This project highlights my ability to guide clients through sizing and framing considerations, make thoughtful layout decisions, and design print-ready artwork that feels both personal and polished.