Want to learn how to create a video with pictures alone? It’s easy with Animoto! In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to make a video with pictures, complete with music, text, and even videos if you’ve got ‘em!
Before we dive in, take a quick look at this chart to find the video maker tool that’s right for you and your video’s vision. They’re both 100% beginner-friendly!
TLDR: Animoto offers two free tools to make videos with pictures and music:
- Animoto 3: Best for customization, branding, and marketing videos.
- Animoto Memories: Best for speed and simple, commemorative slideshows (e.g., events, birthdays).
Just choose the tool that's the best fit for you, upload your photos, and edit as much or as little as you'd like.
Which should you choose? Memories vs. Animoto 3
Both Memories and Animoto 3 are great tools for turning large amounts of photos into stunning videos.
Animoto 3, our flagship tool, is great for creating fine-tuned, professional videos that you can customize as much or as little as you'd like. Memories is great for creating designed slideshow-style videos, but it offers fewer customization features.
Here’s a quick summary of each tool’s strengths and some example videos to help you decide:
Made with Memories
Only took a few minutes to create but has set, unchangeable fonts and layouts.
Made with Animoto 3
Took about 15 minutes to create, but it was customized for my specific wedding colors and font. I was able to create layered, custom layouts to evoke the emotions of my big day.
Ready to go? Start your video, then jump ahead to the step-by-step instructions for each tool.
Make a video with pictures and music in Animoto 3
Animoto 3 is the right tool if you want a totally unique video with full control over the design, branding, and text. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Step 1: Select a template or start from scratch.
- Step 2: Add images and video clips.
- Step 3: Customize your video.
Step 1: Choose a video template
Templates make it quick and easy to make a video with pictures. Begin by choosing a slideshow template that matches the type of project you’re creating, like birthdays, weddings, vacation memories, recaps, memorials, and more.
Or, if you’re looking to start from a clean slate, you can also create a video from scratch.
Remember, you can always change your aspect ratio, colors, and more later.
Here are some of our most popular picture-forward templates:
Step 2: Add your photos & video clips
Start by uploading your video clips and photos. Don’t have enough? Check out our Getty Images stock library with over 1 million clips and images.
Once your media is uploaded, drag and drop it right into your project to replace the placeholder media. Add additional blocks to switch up the layout or add a burst block to display photos in quick succession. It’s up to you!
Step 3: Add your text
Technically, at this point, you’ve already created a video with pictures, but we can do better than that!
Replace the template text with your own message and change the font, colors, and legibility to make it pop. Then, drag and drop your text wherever you want.
Step 4: Choose a song (or a few)
Templates come pre-loaded with a license-free song, but you can always find a new song or upload one that you love!
Click on the audio tab to explore our music library. You can add up to eight songs to a video, trimming and aligning each one to match the mood of your video.
Step 5: Customize the look and feel
Use the customization tools to change text animations, switch up the video style, apply filters, and add custom brand colors. The possibilities for unique visual flair are endless.
Check out this blog for a more in-depth look at our user-friendly customization tools.
Step 6: Share away
Click the blue "play" button to preview. When you’re ready, click Export to share the video directly to social media or download it as an HD file for use on your website or in an email.
And that, my friends, is how to make a beautiful video with pictures.
Make a video with pictures and music in Memories
Want to create a video with pictures in minutes? You’re in the right place! We’ll dig into the details below, but here’s a quick recap of how to get started:
- Step 1: Select a video style in Memories.
- Step 2: Upload and arrange your photos.
- Step 3: Share!
Step 1: Select Memories
Go to Animoto and make a free account. Click the “Create a video” button and choose the "Create a slideshow" option.
Step 2: Choose a video style
Next, select a video style. Styles are pre-designed bundles of animations and transitions that you can apply to your entire video.
Pro tip: Styles with the slider icons offer more customization over the design. Styles with a half-circle icon come in light and dark mode.
Once you’ve found the right style for your video, just click “CREATE VIDEO.” Don’t worry, you can always change your video style later.
Step 3: Upload your media
Click the plus sign in the media placeholder, then select the picture icon to upload your photos and video clips.
Step 4: Edit and rearrange your media
Your photos will automatically upload in the order you selected. Simply drag and drop media in the tray to change the order.
Pro tip: Use the Gold Star icon on any photo to put it in the "Spotlight," ensuring it stays on-screen longer.
Step 5: Add text and captions
Add an optional, short caption (50 characters max) to each photo. To add a title slide, click the "T for Title Card" to create a separate scene with a title and subtitle.
Text size and font are automatically set and cannot be changed.
Step 6: Add a song and set your pacing
Click "Change Song" to select a licensed track from the library. You can browse by mood, tempo, or use case.
Pro tip: Use the timestamp next to the song title to trim the music and speed up or slow down your project's pace to match the rhythm of your photos.
Step 7: Produce and share
Preview your video, then click "PRODUCE" to generate the final high-definition version.
And just like that, you now know how to create a video with pictures, videos, and music, no expensive software needed!
Create a video with pictures and music with Animoto
Animoto was specifically designed to instantly transform your photos and videos into a professional video – no experience required! In just minutes, you can drag and drop your favorite photos into a video that’s perfect for sharing at parties, memorials, in meetings, online, or anywhere you can imagine.
Sign up for free today to get started!
