Open any vertical photo to use as background

Crop: Crop photo to Width: 4.25 in  Height: 6.25  Resolution 300 (cropping to 4.25" x 6.25" to have a .125 bleed around all edges)
Do a Save as you go!

Creating the banner background:
1. Create a new layer and on that new layer (Layer 1)
Use the Rectangular Marquee tool to create the banner background (white).  Set Feather to 0 px; Style: Fixed Size; Width 4.25" Height 1.25"

    


Pick about where you would like the banner to lay (it can be moved later), click on the left edge about 2/3 down.  You will now see a dashed rectangular outline. 




Fill the selection with white by going to Edit > Fill ; Use: Color, select a white color,  Blending Mode: Normal Opacity: 100% click OK.


Select > Deselect.

On Layers Palette change Blend Mode to Lighten; Opacity: 60% and Fill: 90% (the opacity and fill can be changed depending on what looks best with your photo).
                    




Creating the banner overlay:
2. Create a new layer and on that new layer (Layer 2) again using the Rectangular Marquee tool to create the banner overlay (black).  Set Feather to 0 px; Style: Fixed Size; Width 4.25" Height .625"

Pick about where it will lay centered on the white (it can be moved later), click on the left edge.  You will now again see a dashed rectangular outline. 

Fill the selection with black again by going to Edit > Fill ; Use: Color (select Color from the drop down menu to bring up the Color Picker) pick black or any color your like for this photo,  Blending Mode: Normal Opacity: 100% click OK

Add a drop shadow Layer Style by double clicking on Layer 2 to bring up your Layer Style palette, click on Drop Shadow right under Blending Options.  Use the default drop shadow.  OK



          
If needed move the photos and their colors to where they look equal across the collage, spaced apart a bit. Like in the sample.

Adding 2 lines:
3. Use the Line tool to add a 3 px line. 





Add a drop shadow layer style and select a color, we are using orange for this example. Make a copy of this layer and use the Move tool to move under the black rectangle



These are the layers you should now have.



4. Add your text and apply layer styles to your text.



Save as a PSD file (so that you can use it for your next invite), then flatten, save as a JPEG and ready to send to printer!

These instructions for those familiar with Photoshop and can be done in Elements too.

NOTE: For personal use only and not to be sold.


         



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