Short answer
Put the photos in the order the story happened, oldest first, and place photos with similar framing next to each other: the face about the same size and in the same part of the picture. Each photo turns into the next, so neighbours matter more than any single photo. Where two neighbours are very different, add a photo from in between or enjoy a more dramatic change.
1. Start with clear photos of the face
Choose photos where the face is visible, in focus and not too small. Close portraits make the cleanest transitions; a few family moments add warmth.
2. Put them in story order
Order them from oldest to newest by dragging them into place or using the arrow buttons. If you don't know the exact year of a photo, place it by age: what matters is that the person seems to grow up steadily.
3. Match the framing of neighbours
The smoothest transitions happen between photos that look alike: a close-up next to a close-up, a full-length shot next to a full-length shot, the face in about the same place. School portraits are ideal because the framing barely changes from year to year.
- Crop photos before uploading so the face is a similar size
- Keep group photos together and solo portraits together
- Avoid a tiny face in a crowd right after a close-up
4. Bridge the big jumps
A jump from a baby photo to a teenager, or from the beach to a ballroom, still animates, but the change is bigger. For a gentler step, add a photo from in between. If you like the drama, keep it: a big change can be a highlight.
5. Watch each clip and adjust
Each pair of neighbouring photos becomes a 5-second clip. If one doesn't look right, retry it: every purchased credit includes one free retry, and you choose which version goes in the video.
Changing the order creates new pairs. Clips you already made stay saved and come back if you restore the order.
Does the order of the photos change the video?
Yes. The video is a chain where each photo turns into the next, so the order decides every transition. A new pair of neighbours needs its own animation.
What makes a transition look smooth?
Neighbouring photos with similar framing: the face about the same size and in a similar place, with good light. Very different photos still animate, with a bigger change between them.
Should I include group photos?
A few, as long as the person is easy to find. Place them next to other group photos rather than right after a close portrait.
What happens if I change the order after animating?
Clips you already made stay saved and come back if you restore the order. Only the new pairs need a new animation.