Creative team member Danica here. Today I want to share with you two examples using the Equinox collection of a simple digital technique I often use in my layouts that looks great. I often use it to scrap travel photos, but it can work with any photo that has a bit of a background area.

For this technique, you will need a photo, frame (often found in Traci’s digital collections) and a clipping mask. You can use a mask you already have in your collection, Traci has some fun paper-like ones in the store, or a quick Google search will bring up many free masks that you can download for use. The clipping masks that I used in both of my layouts I made by using some brushes. I like the look of a masked photo for this technique.

Clip your photo mask to a background paper of your choosing. Then you will want to clip your photo to the mask.
Side Note: There are times when I choose a mask that may not quite work with my photo. Either it cuts off a portion of the photo that I want to keep or the shape of the mask makes it protrude from the edge of the photo. When this happens I use a brush and either extend the border of the mask or I will use my eraser tool and erase part of the mask. This often times is a quicker fix than trying to rotate and resize your photo for the right fit.
Next you are going to grab a frame from your stash. I used the frame found in Traci’s kit Equinox. Place your frame directly over the focal point of your photo.
You can now embellish your layout as you desire. I usually will add some small floral clusters. You can also decorate your frame too by adding some buttons, bows or ribbons.

A variation of this technique that looks really cool is turn the unframed portion of your photo into either a sketch or black & white.

For my layout I duplicated the photo I was going to scrap.
Then I used an action on the bottom layer of the photo to turn it into a sketch.
I framed the focal point of the original unedited photo (layer above converted sketch photo).
Then I used my eraser to erase all of the photo outside of the framed area.
Once completed I embellished the layout like I would any scrapbook page.

I hope you liked this technique and perhaps you can incorporate it in a future layout of yours! In case you were wondering which collections of Traci’s I used, I used a bunch! I love mixing kits and her autumnal collections pair together nicely. My sample layouts included bits and pieces from: Autumn Enchantment, Equinox, Goldenrod, Harvest Moon, Hearth & Hollow, and October Mood.

Until next time happy scrapping!

The Great Frame Up - Using Masks and Frames to Highlight the Focal Point of Your Photos!