Choosing picture size

I choose picture size as part of my editing process. Sometimes I see that a 4x6 can be cut down a little so I leave it as is and other times I use Photosheet to resize. Especially if it’s a multi photo layout. Once I’m up to 7 or 8 pictures for a two page layout I start choosing which pictures will be smaller.

I use 4x6 if I will be using 1 or 2 photos. If I am going to use more, I print different sizes depending on how I want my layout to look.

I turned scrap cardstock pieces into different photo sizes I tend to use a lot - 3x3, 3x4, 4x4, 4x5, 3.5x5. I have 4 of each as that is typically my max as I rarely do 5 photos on a layout. It also allows me to test out different photo sizes at once.

I keep it simple. Like you, I primarily scrap 12x12 (with other page sizes & protector configurations included for extra photos or memorabilia) & order 4x6 (usually unedited) photos that I crop as needed. On occasion I print favorite photos at 5x7 or larger, but rarely order sizes smaller than the standard 4x6. 

I rarely make my photos smaller, but it is something I would like to work on now that I am doing a more regular PL album, plus I love the way small pictures look on a layout. Usually I decide on size by looking at all the pictures I have for a layout, or event. If I know it will be a one photo layout, usually I will print it 5x7. If I really love the photo and want to highlight it, I will go 6x8. For really spectacular landscape photos I might order an 8x12 to stretch it right across the page. Mostly I just go by how much I love the photo and if there is detail or scenery in the background that I want to be able to see, which would warrant a larger size.

Most other photos I print 4x6, or 3.5x5 if I know there are more I want to get on the page. If there is a photo that has extra background or something I want to focus on, then I start to look at square prints and will get a 4x4 of 5x5. I have ordered some in 6x6, but found them difficult to work with.

I just listened to the June 9 episode of Life Handmade by Scrapbook.com. The owner of Persnickety had some interesting tips that you might find helpful.

I do something similar. I started with cardstock but after accidentally cutting into or throwing them away I switched to the promotional photos that come with my pictures (like and ad or contact sheet "photo"). I'm less likely to mistake it as trash

I order prints monthly, but just order the 4x6 size, out of laziness, mostly.

If I have a super great pic, I might order an 8x10 or 5x7.

If it's a big event/holiday with tons of supporting pics, I'll use Photosheet before uploading all the pics, to have 4x6 pics with either 2 or 4 pics on it as well.

I mostly just wing it.

I print mostly 4x6, but occasionally 5x7 or 4x4. I will also sometimes do wallet size, particularly if an image isn't great quality. I don't print them myself- they are all from Shutterfly.

I do crop my photos quite a bit when I'm scrapping, however. Sometimes a photo doesn't fit on the page just right so I'll take off a bit to make them fit better or something in the background is distracting. I'm always careful to not crop everything down- I like the background to tell the story, too. I find it incredibly freeing to crop photos, though. It has really improved my pages.

I look at how many photos I'm printing for a particular story or event and then decide what sizes will likely work best. So if I'm scrapping a particular holiday story I might know I want to keep it to a double page. Then I'll look at how many photos I want to include, and decide which ones I'll print at 4x6 and use as my focal photos and which ones are better scaled down to 3x4 or even 2x2. Generally, the smaller the photo, the less detailed I want it to be, so I'll often use this size for things like photos of flowers, or close ups of details like a fancy diamond window pane.