How to combine portrait and landscape photos for Instagram carousel: A step-by-step guide to seamlessly merging your photos for Instagram posts

Combining portrait and landscape photos for an Instagram carousel can feel tricky, especially when you want your feed to look polished and unified. On Instagram, carousels let you upload multiple images in one post, but all images in a carousel are displayed in the same aspect ratio as the first image you upload. If you use a mixture of portrait (e.g., 4:5 ratio) and landscape (e.g., 16:9 ratio) photos, Instagram automatically crops subsequent images to match the initial aspect ratio. To avoid awkward cropping or resizing, you’ll need a thoughtful approach.

The easiest and most visually consistent method is to create a uniform canvas for all your photos before uploading. Choose either a portrait or square aspect ratio—4:5 (1080px x 1350px) or 1:1 (1080px x 1080px) are most popular for vertical scrolling. Then, use a photo editing tool (like Canva, Photoshop, or even free mobile apps) to place each photo onto a canvas of your chosen size. Center landscape images horizontally and add matching background color padding above and below, or get creative with a background that fits your brand style. This technique keeps each image at its intended proportions while ensuring Instagram displays them cohesively in the carousel.

As a designer, my advice is to focus on consistency in aspect ratio and spacing—think of the carousel as a visual story or “room” you’re styling. The surrounding space (padding or backgrounds for landscape shots) acts like negative space in a well-designed interior: it lets every photo “breathe” and keeps your gallery looking intentional, not pieced together. If you’re often combining different orientations or planning a content grid, using an AI-powered tool like a AI photo shoot platform can help you visualize and create layouts where image proportion and overall balance are seamless, just as you’d in designing harmonious spaces.

Tips 1:

Before posting, preview your carousel in Instagram’s editing screen to check for unwanted cropping. Always export images at high resolution (at least 1080px on the shortest side) to ensure clarity. Try alternating portrait and landscape shots, using background color or design elements to tie the story together stylistically.

FAQ

Q: Can I post both portrait and landscape photos in one Instagram carousel?

A: Yes, but Instagram crops all videos or images in a carousel to the aspect ratio of the first image you upload. Prepping all images on matching canvases is recommended for a unified look.

Q: What is the best aspect ratio for Instagram carousels?

A: 4:5 (vertical) is optimal for maximum screen use, but 1:1 (square) is also popular and widely compatible.

Q: How do I add borders to landscape photos for Instagram?

A: Use a photo editing app to place the landscape image onto a 4:5 or 1:1 canvas and fill the empty space with your chosen color or pattern.

Q: Do all carousel images need to be the same size?

A: Yes, Instagram will display and crop all images to the aspect ratio of the first image in the carousel, so prepping beforehand ensures you control the final look.

Q: Are there any apps to automate this process?

A: Yes, apps like Canva, PicsArt, and Preview can help you create uniform canvases easily. Advanced users might explore Photoshop templates or AI tools for more custom results.