To collage the photos in Photoshop, we first divided the whole photo into several small squares, then added a frame around each square to be seen separately, and then changed the position of the squares. 

Finally, we changed the background color and cast a shadow behind the squares. Just as easily.

Collaged photo result:

Step 1 – Crop your photo

First of all, you need to crop your photo. To do this, use the Crop tool:

Then in the top bar, set the Aspect Ratio to Square.

In the menu at the top of the page, check the Delete Cropped Pixels option.

Now you can crop your photo to any size you want. If your photo is a portrait, it is best to crop it so that the person’s face is in the center of the frame.

Finally, press Enter (on Windows) or Return (on Mac) to crop the photo.

Step 2 – Get help from the guidelines

To divide the photo into smaller squares, you need the help of several guidelines.

Add the first horizontal guide to the photo

To do this, go to View> New Guide.

In the page that opens, select the Horizontal option and set the Position value to 33%.

Well, the first horizontal guide line was added to your photo.

Add a second horizontal guide to the photo

To do this, go to View> New Guide.

In the page that opens, select the Horizontal option and set the Position value to 66%.

A second horizontal guide was added to the photo.

Add the first vertical guide to the photo

To do this, go to View> New Guide.

In the page that opens, select the Vertical option and set the Position value to 33%.

This will add the first vertical guide to the photo.

Add a second vertical guide to the photo

To do this, go to View> New Guide.

In the page that opens, select the Vertical option and set the Position value to 66%.

The last vertical guide line was added to the photo. Now the photo is divided into nine small squares.

Step 3 – Create a new layer for each of the squares

In this step you have to copy every nine squares in a new layer. To do this, we need the Rectangular Marquee tool.

Then go to View> Snap To> Guides. With this tool, your tool does not go out of the guidelines and selects exactly the square that is inside the guidelines.

Select the first square

We start with the first square in the left corner of the photo. Select that square with the Rectangular Marquee tool.

Copy the selected square to a new layer

To do this, follow the path Layer> New> Layer via Copy or you can use the shortcut key Ctrl + J (on Windows) / Command + J (on Mac).

In the Layers panel you can see the new layer.

Select the background layer

Click on the background layer each time before copying the next square to the new layer.

Copy the second square to the new layer

Use the shortcut key Ctrl + J (on Windows) / Command + J (on Mac). Now in the Layers panel, there are two new layers of squares.

Copy the third square to the new layer

Before selecting the third square, you must first click on the background layer.

Now select the third square.

Use the shortcut key Ctrl + J (on Windows) / Command + J (on Mac).

Repeat these steps on the remaining six squares to finally have nine new layers of squares.

Step 4 – Hide the guidelines

From this point on, you no longer need guidelines, so go to View> Show> Guides to hide it.

Step 5 – Add more space to the photo

We need more space to move the squares, so we need to create more space around the square. To do this, use the Crop tool.

Hold down the Alt / Windows key / Option (on a Mac) and click anywhere outside the box you want, then press Enter / Return.

This will add more space to the photo.

6- Blacken the background of the photo

By default, the space added to the photo is white. To change its color, you must first click on the background layer in the Layers panel.

Then go to Edit> Fill.

In the page that opens in front of the Content, select the color you want (black).

This will darken the background of your photo.

Step 7 – Add a frame around the first square

In order for the created squares to be seen separately, you must add a frame around the nine squares.

How to add a frame

In the Layers panel, select the first layer.

Click the fx icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.

Select the Stroke option.

Change the color of the frame

To do this, click on the fx icon and select the Color Swatch option in the page that opens.

Then select white.

Adjust the size and position of the frame

After clicking on the fx icon, select 32 in front of Position, Inside and in front of Size.

Now around the first square, a white frame was added.

Step 8 – Add a circle around the remaining eight squares

A quick way to add a frame to other squares is to right-click on the first layer and then select Copy Layer Style.

Then click on the second layer.

Then hold down Shift and click on the other layers.

Now right click on one of the layers and select Paste Layer Style.

This will add a white frame around all the squares.

Step 9 – Move the squares

To improve the collage effect, it is better to move the squares a little.

Select the Move tool

Select the Auto-Select option

In the top bar, check the Auto-Select option and place the opposite phrase on the Layer. By doing this, you can change the position of each square by clicking once.

Click on the first square

Move the first square

To do this, follow the path Edit> Free Transform or use the shortcut Ctrl + T / Command + T.

This creates a box around the first square.

You can move the first square by clicking inside the created box.

Then press Enter / Return to record the changes.

Repeat the above steps on the other squares

Click the next box and follow the path Edit> Free Transform again or use the shortcut Ctrl + T / Command + T. After moving the square, press the Enter / Return key to record the changes.

Step 10 – Change the background color

If you want to change the background color, you must first click on the background layer in the Layers panel.

Then click on New Fill or Adjustment Layer.

Then select the Solid Color option.

After selecting the desired color, click OK.

Step 11 – Add a shadow to the photo for collage 

To shade all the squares at the same time, you need to form a Layer Group.

To do this, click on the first layer and then hold Shift and click on all layers.

Then go to Layer> Group Layers.

This will put all the layers you selected in one folder.

Now click on the fx icon.

In the menu that opens, select the Drop Shadow option for collage .

This will open a page.

By clicking on the screen, you can adjust the distance and angle of the shadow for collage .

Then you can reduce the shadow by reducing the Opacity value for collage .

Then click OK to finish collage  editing your photo.