Deciding where and how to place pictures in your scrapbook can be one of the most challenging aspects of your scrapbooking experience.  There are some techniques out there that can help you create something that looks good.

Sometimes you may have the perfect picture to add to a page of your scrapbook but unfortunately it is not the proper size.  That is where photocopying can help tremendously. 

Photocopying gives you the power to alter the size of your photos in anyway you please.  You may worry that a copy might distort your photos or alter the image quality in a negative way.  Just make sure to use a good color photocopier even if you have a black and white photo because it helps preserve detail instead of washing it out.

Another key technique involved in picture placement is cropping.  Cropping your photos allows you to eliminate unnecessary details and backgrounds that have nothing to do with the theme of your scrapbook.  It also gives you the power to mold the shape of your photos to make them fit in nicely with your layout. 

A good tip to use when designing your scrapbook is to make photocopies of all the photos you want to use first and then crop the copies in different ways to find the combination that works best for you, and then use it as a template for your real page. 

Adding boarders to your photos with colored paper can help your photos create a greater impact.  Backgrounds that match the shape of your photo can really make them stand out.

Although placing your photos throughout your scrapbook can be difficult employing these techniques can get you started on the road to creating something you will be proud of.   For some good ideas take a look at our scrapbooking layout gallery.