Image to Video: Animate a Photo with Clear Motion

Choose a clear source image

Start with a well-lit photo and a recognizable subject. Avoid a crowded background if the subject needs to stay prominent. Choose framing close to your intended video aspect ratio so important details are less likely to be cropped.

Only upload images you have permission to use. For portraits, make sure you have the appropriate permission from the person depicted.

Describe movement, not just appearance

The image already provides visual context. Use your prompt to explain what should happen next. A small, focused motion is a useful first attempt:

Slowly push the camera toward the bottle. Let the light shift gently across the glass. Keep the label, bottle shape, and background stable.

For a landscape, try drifting clouds with a fixed camera. For a portrait, try a subtle head turn. Combining large subject motion with a complex camera move can make the result harder to evaluate.

Generate and inspect

Upload the image in the creation workspace and add your motion instructions. Review the model options and credit cost before submitting. The selected model determines which durations, resolutions, and inputs are supported.

Watch the entire clip, especially the end. Check whether faces, hands, product labels, and straight edges remain consistent. Instructions can guide the model but cannot guarantee exact preservation of every detail.

Refine the next take

If the subject changes too much, reduce the requested motion. If the scene feels static, ask for one gentle camera move. Keep the source image and adjust one instruction so you can compare results meaningfully.

For text and branding that must remain exact, review the result carefully and consider adding those elements during final editing.

Continue creating

Need a scene without a source photo? Read the text-to-video prompt guide. You can also open the video workspace or review plans and credits.