Weddings, graduations, company anniversaries, memorials, birthdays: many videos have nothing but photos to work with. Done well, a photo video can be genuinely moving; done badly, it's a slideshow on autoplay. The difference is in selection, order and pacing, not effects.
How many photos
Three to five seconds per photo feels comfortable; faster is hard to take in, slower drags. A three-minute video needs about 40 to 60 photos. Better 50 good ones than 200. Selection rules: sharp, faces with expression, a story in the picture, and one or two per scene at most.
Photo quality
- Use original files, not versions sent through messaging apps, which are already compressed.
- Phone photos can be exported straight from the gallery at full size.
- Scan prints at 300 dpi or more; without a scanner, photograph them from directly above in natural light, avoiding glare.
- Mixing vertical and horizontal photos is fine; we handle the background in the edit. If you can, keep one orientation within a section.
Ordering
Chronological order is the simplest and easiest to follow. For variety, group by theme (family, friends, work, travel) and open each group with the single most representative photo. Then rename the files 01, 02, 03 and we cut in that order. See how to send us your material.
Music
Music carries half the emotion of a photo video. Choose one or two tracks about as long as the video. A video played publicly or posted online needs licensed music. If you have no preference, tell us the occasion and the feeling you want and we'll offer suitable licensed options. For wedding videos, see can a wedding video use a pop song.
How much text
One title per section is enough, such as "2015, the first time we met". A caption on every photo leaves no time to look at the photo. Keep any text to short phrases, never paragraphs.
Confirm where it will play before delivery
Projectors at receptions and ceremonies are usually 16:9; social feeds are vertical. Ask the venue about the equipment and we export accordingly. For on-site playback, test on the same equipment the day before.
Frequently asked questions
Can the photos have motion?
Yes. Slow pans and transitions are standard for photo videos. Too many effects only distract.
Can video clips be mixed in?
Yes. Short clips between photos make the whole video livelier.
Anything special for wedding or memorial videos?
See how to prepare a wedding growth video and how to prepare a memorial video for timing and content advice.
