Everything You Need To Know About Making Your Photo Standout on Canva

When you're creating a graphic, adding a photo can be the extra personal touch it needs to make it your own! They add depth, personality, and chances are, your audience will love to see the people behind your brand! While you're adding the photography to your edit, try out our favorite features on Canva to make your photo pop!

Remove the background

Making your photo standout is just a few clicks away with the background removal feature on Canva. It's the perfect way to add in an element of a real photo into your graphic.

1.) Select your image

2.) Choose the "Edit Image"

3.) Search & Select "BG Remover/Background Remover"

4.) If it doesn't automatically remove it correctly, you can fix it using the "Erase" or "Restore" button, which allows you to touch it up!

Make it Pop-Out

This trick is so simple, but not talked about enough! It gives that extra depth that your graphic could really benefit from.

1.) Under the "Elements" section, search “frame,” and choose one (I usually like the circle the best!)

2.) Put your photo in the frame and lock it in with the icon upper right hand corner.

3.) Add another copy of the photo in and remove the background.

4.) Place the second photo on top of the first and adjust it to be the same size!

Add an Outline

1.) Start with a photo with the background removed.

2.) Choose your background color.

3.) With your photo selected, click "Edit Image" and select the "Shadows" feature. Under Shadows, select "Glow"

4.) Within the Glow feature, if you click the icon again, slider options will pop-up. You can choose the outline color you like, set the transparency to 100, and the blur to 0 for a full outline, or play with the settings to find something that works for your photo!

Create a smartMockup

Mockups are great for presentations, social posts, and more. They have everything from desk tops, to phones, to t-shirts where you can place your design or photo into the scene with a few easy clicks.

1.) Select your photo

2.) Click "Edit Photo" and search for "Smartmockups"

3.) Scroll through and choose an option you like!

4.) (Optional) If you double click on the option you selected, there will be a drop down menu to fit your picture into the scene/object. I like to choose "Custom" here and fit the photo myself when the slider menu pops up!

Use Other Effects and Filters

Even though the ones above are our favorite, Canva has a million other effects and filters to try. Play with these settings, and it may surprise you! You can add a shadow to add depth (pairs perfect with the background removal feature!), add filter presets to enhance your photo, retouch faces, and add more artistic effects to completely change the mood of your photo.