How to Turn a Photo Into a Video With AI Templates

Start with the right photo

A template can only move what it can see. The photos that animate best have one clear subject — a face, a pet, a product — that is sharp, well lit and not cut off at the edges. The template has to invent motion for whatever is in the frame, so the less it has to guess, the more natural the result looks.

• One clear subject. A face looking roughly toward the camera, or a single object in the middle of the frame, works better than a crowded group shot.
• Good, even light. Daylight from a window beats a dark room or a harsh flash. Faces in deep shadow tend to lose detail when they move.
• Vertical framing. Videos come out vertical, so a portrait-orientation photo with a little space around the subject keeps heads and hands from being cropped.
• No heavy filters or blur. Strong beauty filters, stickers, text overlays and motion blur confuse the animation. Use the original photo when you can.

Choose a template by what you want

Templates are grouped by goal, so start from what you want the video to do instead of scrolling through everything.

• Fun effects such as inflate, squish or melt are made for a quick laugh and work with people, pets and objects alike.
• Old photos templates gently bring a family picture to life with a smile, a blink or a wave. Scan or photograph the print straight on, in good light, and crop out the album page around it.
• Pets templates are tuned for animals. A photo taken at eye level, with the face in focus, gives the most natural motion.
• Product templates turn one product photo into a clean studio shot, a 360° spin or an unboxing reveal. Photograph the product on a plain surface with nothing else in the frame.
• Style templates such as anime or claymation give the whole scene a new look.

Every template has a preview, so you can see what kind of motion to expect before you start.

Add an idea if you have one

Many templates have an optional idea field. Leave it empty and the template does what it was designed to do. If you want a specific detail, describe it in one short, concrete sentence, such as “she laughs and waves at the camera” or “snow starts to fall”. One clear idea works better than a long list of instructions.

What to expect

1. Your video is usually ready in about a minute.
2. Videos are short vertical clips of 6 to 15 seconds, with sound.
3. Your first video is free, and if a video fails to generate, it is not counted.

If the result is not what you hoped for, the fix is usually the photo. Before switching templates, try a sharper image, better light or a tighter crop around the subject.

Save and share

When you like the result, save the video to your device or share a link to it. You can also publish it to Explore, where people browse what others have made. Only do that with videos you are happy for anyone to see.

Use photos responsibly

Only upload photos you have the right to use. If other people appear in a photo, make sure they are comfortable with it being turned into a video, especially before you share it publicly. With old family photos, it is worth asking relatives before you post a video of someone they loved. Never use a template to make someone appear to do something they would not agree to.