How to Turn an Image into a Video with AI

Image-to-video uses your image as the first frame and animates it.

When to use it

• Animating product photos for e-commerce.
• Turning a still image into social media content.
• Adding movement to artwork or illustrations.

Step 1: Upload your image

Open Image to Video and upload a clear, well-lit image in JPG, PNG or WebP.

Step 2: Describe the motion

Write what should move and how:

Slowly zoom in while the flowers sway in the breeze and birds fly across the sky.

Be specific about the direction and speed of the motion.

Step 3: Choose a model and settings

Image to Video offers Veo 3.1, Seedance 1.5 Pro and Grok Image Video; Seedance 2.0 takes images on the Seedance 2.0 tool. Pick an aspect ratio that matches your image. Veo 3.1, Seedance 1.5 Pro and Seedance 2.0 also accept a second image as the last frame and generate the motion between the two.

Step 4: Generate and review

Click Generate. Most clips are ready in a few minutes. If the motion isn't right, change the prompt and try again.

Tips for source images

1. Use a sharp image. At least 1024 pixels on the short side works well.
2. Keep the subject clear. Busy compositions produce messy motion.
3. Match the aspect ratio. Use a landscape image for 16:9 video and a portrait image for 9:16.
4. Avoid text and watermarks. They tend to warp when animated.

For a longer walkthrough, see the guide How to Turn an Image into a Video with AI.