DIY Travel Photo Montage

I've been incredibly lucky in the past few years, as work and life have led me on some amazing travel adventures. While I cherish my time at home, traveling has become one of my favorite pastimes. It brings me immense joy and creates countless memories.

One of my favorite recent journeys was the Dinogo cruise I enjoyed with my mom. Spending a week at sea together was not only delightful, but she truly deserved it. Besides her job, she cares for my elderly grandparents, who now need round-the-clock assistance. Treating her to a week of Caribbean sunshine, exquisite meals, complete relaxation, and endless fun was a privilege for me. Cruising is a fantastic way to achieve that and so much more. Everything you desire in a vacation is right at your fingertips.

As you may know, I captured a ton of photos during our cruise. With everything being digital these days, I often find that many of my travel pictures get uploaded to my computer and are soon forgotten. I wanted a creative way to commemorate the time spent on that grand ship, so I've devised two fun methods for making a DIY Travel Photo Montage that I’d love to share with you today.

Let’s dive in!

This first collage is created using a shadow box frame. Paired with some mini clothespins and a hint of gold (naturally!), it offers a vibrant and quick way to display a series of photos, and you can easily swap them out or update the display.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• shadow box frame
• matching paper
• mini clothespins
• photographs
• adhesive (hot glue or another craft glue like E6000)
• double-sided tape
• scissors
• ruler
• pencil

Start by collecting your materials. Most of these supplies can be found at your nearby craft store or ordered online.

Cut a piece of paper to match the dimensions of your frame. Any color or patterned paper will do. I'm using this gold wood grain paper, which happens to be leftover wrapping paper from the holidays. Simply trace the frame's backing onto the paper with a pencil, then cut it out.

If your paper is thin like mine, it’s best to use some double-sided tape to attach it to the backing of your frame, the piece of paper that usually comes with the frame, or a sturdier piece of cardstock.

Next, place your photos into the mini clothespins and arrange them on the paper to visualize your layout. Given the bold pattern of my paper, I chose a blue and green theme for both my pictures and clothespins.

Now, accurately measure where the clothespins will be attached to the paper. Since my frame measures 12 x 12 inches, I began by placing my first clothespin in the center and positioned one on each side, three inches apart. I followed the same measurements for the second row.

To secure the clothespins, I added a tiny dab of hot glue to each one and positioned it where I desired on the paper. (E6000 would also work well here; just make sure to allow it ample time to dry.)
Once all the clothespins are secured, insert your pictures and put the frame together.

Voilà!

I think this particular collage turned out wonderfully. Each of these photos brings back such fond memories of the time I spent with my mom. We witnessed stunning sunsets and sunrises from our stateroom balcony, enjoyed relaxing days in port, and the beautiful palm trees always remind me of the ocean nearby.

As you can see, by simply changing the paper, clothespins, and photos, you can create a piece that is uniquely tailored to your space.

This collage beautifully encapsulates the memories from our cruise. While I snapped a few photos of it on my mantel, it will eventually find its home on my hallway gallery wall, where I can enjoy it every day.
Ready for collage number two?

This one takes on a more traditional collage style but adds a modern flair. The cut-out chevron/arrow pattern showcases a series of photos in the negative space. The final piece has a contemporary vibe while still overflowing with memories. Let me show you how to create it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 8 x 10″ photo frame
• cardstock
• chevron printable (free PDF download here)
• photos
• double-sided tape (or rubber cement)
• scissors
• X-Acto knife
• ruler

If you'd like to recreate this exact collage, I've made a free PDF printable available here. However, feel free to design your own in any shape or pattern that inspires you. Start by printing your chosen pattern on a sheet of cardstock.

Carefully cut out the pattern using an X-Acto knife. Make sure to do this on a self-healing mat, a scrap piece of wood, or any surface you don’t mind damaging.

Next, take a second sheet of cardstock and start positioning your photos in the areas that will be visible through your design. I used photos of various sizes and trimmed away any white borders so they would blend together seamlessly.

Once you're satisfied with the arrangement of your photos, secure them to the uncut sheet of cardstock using double-sided tape or rubber cement. (Rubber cement is preferable to standard white glue, as it won’t cause your photos to curl or bubble.) With all the photos in place, attach the cut-out cardstock on top using double-sided tape or cement.

Insert the completed piece into your frame, and your project is finished.

This piece allows you to showcase multiple photos in a playful pattern. From afar, it resembles a modern art piece, but up close, it becomes a travel keepsake that sparks cherished memories. It truly offers the best of both worlds. Now, all I need to do is close my eyes, and I'm instantly transported back to the Dinogo cruise with my mom.

I hope you found both of these tutorials enjoyable. If you're anything like me, now is the perfect time to take those travel photos off your computers and onto your walls. No more excuses! I can’t wait to see what you create.