How to Combine Photos for an Instagram Story

Putting multiple photos in a single Instagram Story can transform a simple update into a dynamic visual narrative. It's a fantastic way to showcase a before-and-after shot, create a mini photo gallery from an event, or build a beautiful collage that grabs your audience's attention. This guide will walk you through several easy methods, from Instagram’s own built-in tools to powerful third-party apps that give you complete creative control.

Using Instagram's Native Features to Combine Photos

Instagram provides a couple of surprisingly versatile tools right inside the app for creating multi-photo Stories. These are perfect for quick, on-the-fly collages without needing to download anything extra. Let's break down the two main methods.

Method 1: The 'Layout' Mode for Perfect Grids

If you're looking for clean, structured grids, the Layout feature is your best friend. It allows you to create a collage with up to six photos, neatly arranged in different grid formats. It’s simple, fast, and highly effective.

How to Use the Layout Feature:

1. Open the Story Camera: Launch the Instagram app and swipe right from your feed, or tap the plus (+) icon at the top and select "Story."
2. Select "Layout": On the left side of the screen, you'll see a toolbar with various creative options. Tap the icon that looks like a grid - this is the Layout tool.
3. Choose Your Grid: Once in Layout mode, another small menu will appear above the shutter button allowing you to change the grid style. You can choose from options that split your screen into two, three, four, or six sections. Tap the one you want to use.
4. Add Your Photos: Now you can start filling the grid. You have two options:
   • From your Camera Roll: Tap the small square icon in the bottom-left corner to open your photo gallery. Select the first picture you want to add, and it will populate the top-left section of your grid.
   • Take a New Photo: Point your camera and tap the shutter button to capture a new photo directly into the selected grid section.
5. Fill the Remaining Sections: Continue adding photos from your gallery or by taking new ones until all sections of your chosen grid are filled. If you make a mistake, you can tap on a photo within the grid, then tap the delete icon to remove it and try again.
6. Finalize Your Story: Once your grid is complete, tap the checkmark button at the bottom. This will finalize the collage and take you back to the main Story editing screen. From here, you can add text, draw, use stickers, mention accounts, or add music just like you would with any other Story. When you're happy with it, share it with your followers!

Pro Tip: The Layout feature automatically centers and crops your photos to fit the grid. You can't reposition them, so it works best with photos where the subject is relatively centered.

Method 2: The 'Photo Sticker' for Creative Freedom

If grids feel too rigid, the Photo Sticker method gives you total freedom to place, resize, rotate, and layer images anywhere on your screen. It's perfect for creating a more scrapbook-like or freeform look. This used to be a little clunky with different workarounds for iOS and Android, but thankfully Instagram has streamlined it with a dedicated sticker.

How to Use the Photo Sticker:

1. Set Your Background: Start by creating a background for your collage. You can either take a new photo, select one from your camera roll, or use the "Create" mode (Aa icon) to make a solid color or gradient background. A simple background often helps your layered photos stand out.
2. Open the Sticker Tray: Once your background is set, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen (the smiley face inside a square).
3. Find the Photo Sticker: Scroll through the sticker options until you find an icon that looks like a simplified version of your most recent photo, often with a little plus sign. Tapping this will open your phone’s entire photo gallery.
4. Select and Place Your First Photo: Choose the first photo you want to add. It will appear on your Story as a sticker. Now, the fun begins!
   • Resize It: Use two fingers to pinch in or out to make the photo smaller or larger.
   • Move It: Drag the photo with one finger to place it anywhere on the screen.
   • Rotate It: Use two fingers and twist to rotate the image to any angle.
5. Change the Photo's Shape: Tap on the photo sticker! Instagram will cycle it through different shapes, such as a rectangle with rounded corners, a circle, a star, or a heart. This adds a nice touch of personality.
6. Layer More Photos: Repeat the process. Go back to the sticker tray, select the photo sticker again, and choose your next image. You can add multiple photos this way, layering them on top of each other to create a rich visual collage.
7. Decorate and Share: After arranging all your photos, add any other creative elements you want. Text boxes, GIFs, mentions, and music can all be layered with your photo stickers. When your masterpiece is finished, hit "Your Story" to publish it.

Level Up Your Collages with Third-Party Apps

While Instagram's built-in tools are great for speed, sometimes you need more polish and customization. Third-party apps offer professionally designed templates, advanced editing features, and the ability to maintain a consistent brand aesthetic across all your Stories.

Canva: For Limitless Creativity and Branding

Canva is a graphic design powerhouse that makes creating beautiful Stories incredibly easy. Its massive library of templates is perfect for anyone, from small business owners trying to build a brand to creators wanting a more professional look.

Creating a Collage in Canva:

1. Search for an "Instagram Story" Template: Open the Canva app or website and use the search bar to look for "Instagram Story." Canva has thousands of options, so you can narrow it down by searching for "Instagram Story Collage."
2. Choose a Template You Love: Browse the results and select a template that matches your vibe. Many templates already have multiple photo placeholders, making your job easier.
3. Customize with Your Photos: Tap on the placeholder images in the template. You can then upload your own photos from your device and drag them into the frames. Canva will automatically size and crop them for you.
4. Brand It Your Way: This is where Canva shines. You can change every element of the template. Adjust background colors to match your brand palette, add your own logo, and use custom fonts for any text overlays.
5. Download and Upload: Once you're finished, download your design as a high-quality image or video (if you added animations). Save it to your phone, then upload it directly to your Instagram Story.

Unfold: For Minimalist and Elegant Designs

If your aesthetic is more clean, modern, and minimalist, Unfold is the app for you. It's known for its beautiful, magazine-like templates that use white space and simple frames to create a sophisticated look.

Crafting a Story in Unfold:

1. Start a New Project: Open the Unfold app and tap the plus button to create a new story or project.
2. Select a Template Collection: Unfold organizes its designs into collections, such as "Clasico," "Film," or "Journal." Browse through them and choose a layout that includes multiple photo slots.
3. Add Your Photos: Tap the photo placeholders in the template to open your camera roll and select your images. The app will neatly place them within the predefined frames.
4. Add Text and Refine: Unfold offers a curated selection of clean, stylish fonts. Add captions or headlines to give your photos context. You can also change the background color of the template.
5. Save and Post: When your minimalist masterpiece is complete, save the page to your camera roll. From there, you can easily share it to your Instagram Story.

Creative Ideas for Your Multi-Photo Stories

Now that you know how to combine photos, here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Show a Transformation: Use a two-photo grid to create a compelling "before and after." This is perfect for fitness results, home renovations, or makeup looks.
• Create a Step-by-Step Guide: Use a four- or six-photo grid to walk your audience through a simple recipe, a craft project, or a quick tutorial.
• Feature a Product Collection: If you run a business, use a collage to showcase a few new items at once. It’s more visually interesting than posting individual product shots back-to-back.
• Build a Lookbook: Fashion creators can use the Photo Sticker method to build an OOTD (Outfit of the Day) post, featuring a main photo and smaller photos detailing the accessories, shoes, and jacket.
• Craft a "Photo Dump": Create a fun, scrapbook-style collage to recap a vacation, a party, or a day out with friends. Don't worry about perfect placement - a slightly chaotic look can feel authentic and engaging.
• Run an Interactive Poll: Post two options in a side-by-side Layout and add a poll sticker to ask your followers "This or That?" It's a simple way to drive engagement.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to combine photos for an Instagram Story is a simple skill that opens up a world of creative possibilities. Whether you're quickly assembling a grid using the built-in Layout feature or crafting a professionally branded design in an app like Canva, you now have the tools to tell richer, more engaging visual stories that stop the tap-through.

Creating great content is the first step, and seeing how it all fits together in a cohesive plan is just as important. With Postbase, we designed a simple, visual calendar so you can drag and drop your content, plan your videos and Stories for the weeks ahead, and get a clear view of your strategy across every platform. Since our tool was built for today's video-first world of Reels, TikToks, and Stories, managing these formats feels effortless, not like an afterthought. Our goal is to bring clarity to the chaos of social media management, so you can spend your time on what really matters - creating.