Video Gen EditorHow to turn a photo into a video
- 1
Upload your image
Drag a PNG, JPG or WebP (up to 10 MB) onto the prompt box, or paste it in. It becomes the first frame of your video.
- 2
Describe the motion
Say what moves and how: “She turns toward the camera and smiles, light breeze, slow push-in.” One action is plenty.
- 3
Generate and download
Pick a model and a length, check the price, and generate. The video keeps your photo's shape unless you choose another size.
Choose where the video starts and ends
Most image-to-video tools only take a starting picture. Several models here also take a last frame, so you can upload two images and let the AI fill in the movement between them: a before-and-after, day turning into night, a box opening to show what's inside. Other models take reference images instead, which keep a character, outfit or product the same while the scene around it changes.
Which model to use for image to video
- LTX-2.5 Fast for quick, cheap tests of an idea, with clips of 6 to 20 seconds.
- Seedance 2.5 when faces, products and small details have to stay true to the photo, even in longer shots.
- MiniMax H3 Max for expressive, cinematic motion from a single first frame.
- Grok Imagine Video 1.5, which is built for image-to-video and gives lively movement from one picture.
- Gemini Omni Flash 1.1 for start-to-end frame interpolation and output up to 4K.
Tips for better results
- Start with a sharp, well-lit photo. The AI can't add detail that isn't there.
- Describe the motion, not the picture. The model can already see the photo, so spend your words on what changes.
- Match the shape to where you'll post. Vertical photos make good 9:16 Reels and Shorts.
- For portraits, small movements look most natural: a blink, a breath, a slight turn of the head.
- Want the shot to keep going? Send the result to the AI video extender.
Photo to video AI vs. a slideshow
A slideshow pans and zooms across still images. Photo to video AI draws new frames, so people blink and turn, water flows and the camera moves through the scene. Starting from words instead? Try text to video AI. Want the motion to follow a song? Use the AI music video generator.
What people animate
Portraits and old photos
Gentle, natural motion for family photos, often for an AI tribute video.
Product shots
Turn a packshot into a rotating hero clip for a store page or an ad.
Art and illustrations
Animate paintings, character art and AI images without losing their style.
Real estate and travel
Add a slow camera glide and drifting clouds to still photos of places.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Signing up is free, and so is looking around: every model, setting and tool is open before you pay anything. Generating a video costs credits, and the price depends on the model, the length and the resolution. The estimate sits next to the Generate button, so you always see it before you commit. A quick 3-second test at 360p on Gemini Omni Flash costs about $0.09.
How do I turn a picture into a video with AI?
Drop the picture into the prompt box, describe the motion you want, pick a model and press Generate. Your image becomes the first frame and the AI creates the movement from there.
What image formats can I upload?
PNG, JPEG and WebP files up to 10 MB each. Bigger images can be attached by URL.
Can I control the last frame too?
Yes. With models that support frame images, you can mark an image as the first or the last frame, and the AI animates the change between them.
Will the face in my photo stay the same?
Today's models are good at keeping a person recognisable, especially Seedance 2.5 and MiniMax H3 Max. Small, natural movements keep faces most accurate. Big turns and fast action leave the model more to invent.
Can I animate old family photos?
Yes, and it's one of the most popular uses. Scan prints at high resolution, ask for small movements like a smile or a slow blink, and keep clips short. Our guide on how to make an AI video has a section on tribute videos.