Put a photo inside a SHAPE in Photoshop

This step-by-step tutorial teaches how to place an image inside a shape in Photoshop. I start by showing how to draw a circle using the Ellipse tool and then show how to use a Clipping Mask to insert the photo into the circle. I also show how to use the Custom Shape tool to create a photo inside a heart shape!

📖 CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Draw a circle with the Shape tool
02:26 Clip the photo into the shape layer
03:13 Move and transform the image within the shape
04:00 Trim away the excess transparency
04:24 Save the file as a transparent PNG
05:15 Add a photo to a custom shape (heart)
06:34 Draw the custom shape
07:08 Clip the photo to the custom shape layer
07:27 Add a colored border to the shape
08:24 Trim the excess transparency from the document

🔗 MORE FROM NICOLE:

Free presets, textures, and training:

Subscribe to the Nicolesy Newsletter:

Join my FREE photography community:

CREDITS:
➡︎ by Nicole S. Young

[generottinghaus]

Amazing short tutorial with detailed instructions. Thanks !

[EmmaMTaylor]

Ugh, you are a godsend, thank you!!!

[drmichaellum]

Easy to follow. Thanks for helping me learn a new skill!

[jtophotography]

Great explanation as always 🙂. Thanks for showing how to get all the old shapes back again. Never clicked on the Legacy shapes.

[jorgedesousa]

Great video, easy to follow along. Thanks!!

[gerrystone]

Just noticed in the 3 bar menu of the layers panel there's an option "Quick Export as PNG" which yields a smaller file as well.

[finlayfraser]

Hello Nicole, I was looking at your tutorial on how to drag an image into Photoshop as a new layer. All that happens is that the cursor over the canvas turns into a little "No Entry" and nothing happens, or the image loads as a new project. There must be some simple thing that I am missing. I am using Photoshop 14. Can you advise please?

[creatorofpizza]

how do i add something like a glitter border to the circle? a circle in the circle

[gerrystone]

When I create a shape, its layer has a white background, not transparent. Same result though after you trim it and save as a PNG.