One of the first tools I bought for my new scrapbooking endeavor was cropping tools. I was so excited by my new find that it simply didn't matter whether or not it made sense within the layout, I was cropping every shape available from simple circles and ovals to the hearts and the stars.

However, eventually one comes to realize that cropping every photo doesn’t always produce the most balanced page. Keep in mind design first, crop later.

Whether you use your scissors, templates or punches, creative cropping can add a little magic or a touch of whimsy! When it comes to using cropping techniques on your pages, make careful decisions and do what works best for your design. Here are a few cropping techniques.

Circles, ovals and other basic shapes

There are a number of ways to crop a photograph into a circle. Cutting systems or templates are available. In addition circle punches are also effective.

Circles can add a fun, whimsical look to a scrapbook page, especially when fashioned into flowers or balloons.

Silhouette

Using a pencil draw the silhouette line of your subject eliminating all background elements so you are left simply with a tight freeform photograph of your subject itself and then cut the silhouette before mounting to the page.

It is effective when you want to emphasize the subject, or simply want to eliminate background from a photo. You can even us this technique for matting the subject for a stunning effect.

The moon and the stars and other unique shapes

Cropping your photographs into unique shapes is a creative process. The possibilities are endless. You can crop photos into flowers, hearts, moon and stars, or just about anything. Try using a die-cut system, cutting system or punches for unique effects.

However, you may want to use sparingly! Pages with these types of shapes are challenging and are most effective when used as the focus of the layout to set the theme for the page as to avoid clutter.

Creative cropping is simple yet imaginative! The key is moderation. When used effectively, you can create unique scrapbook pages that are memorable and fun.