1. Create new square artboard.
  2. Create a square to fill the artboard.
  3. Select Square → Object → Path → Split Into Grids…
  4. Choose grid size, depending on preference. Make sure [ ] Preview box is checked.
  5. Right Click → Make Guides
  6. Create squares, circles or any other shapes to the grid.
  7. Place image wanted on board near shape → Send to back (⌘ + Shift + [ (?))
  8. Select image and shape and make a clipping mask (⌘ + 7)