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Google Photos to Video Creation: Step-by-Step Guide + AI Alternative

Discover how to effortlessly transform Google photos to videos for creating cherished memories. Let's explore two simple methods, check our deep review, and discover Dreamina as a creative alternative

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Dreamina
Dreamina
Apr 3, 2025
73 min(s)

What if you could effortlessly turn your cherished photos into captivating videos? How can Google Photos help you relive your favorite moments in a dynamic format? In this guide, we will explore two simple methods for using Google photos to videos option. Whether you're looking to compile a family vacation or celebrate a special occasion, these techniques will make your memories flow beautifully. Let's dive into the world of video creation and discover how easy it is to bring your photos to life!

Table of content
  1. Understanding Google Photos to video options
  2. How to create video from google photos using Highlight Videos
  3. How to make a video with Google Photos animations
  4. Deep review: Balanced points of creating video on Google Photos
  5. Dreamina: Emerging alternative to Google Photos video editor
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Understanding Google Photos to video options

Google Photos offers two main methods for turning your Google picture into videos: Highlight Videos and Animations. Highlight Videos utilize AI to automatically select the best clips and images from your library, adding soundtracks and syncing everything together. This method is ideal for creating polished, thematic videos quickly, perfect for special occasions or memorable events. Animations, on the other hand, allow you to create GIFs by stringing together 2-50 photos. This method is best for capturing fun moments in a lively format but lacks the depth of a full video.

Select Google photos to video

How to create video from google photos using Highlight Videos

Highlight Videos is a feature in Google Photos designed to create thematic videos from your photos and existing video clips. This tool allows users to generate videos automatically using AI or to manually select and customize their content. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to relive cherished memories, Highlight Videos makes it easy to compile your favorite moments and create video from Google Photos.

Method 1: Creating auto-generated highlight videos

If you prefer an automatic process, you must take a look at this method. With AI algorithms, you can easily output clips with transitions and sounds. Let's scroll down:

    STEP 1
  1. Access the menu

Open the Google Photos app on your device and log in to your account. Tap on the plus (+) icon located at the top of the screen. This will open the Create Menu, where you'll find various options for creating content, including "Highlight Video".

Go to the Highlight Video option
    STEP 2
  1. Choose a theme or subject

Google Photos will prompt you to choose a theme or subject for your video. You can pick from pre-defined themes (e.g., "Travel," "Family," "Pets") or "search" for specific people, places, or events using facial recognition and date tags. Google Photos will automatically curate photos and clips based on your selection.

Choose a theme or search for specific people
    STEP 3
  1. Review and save

Once Google Photos compiles your video, it will display a preview. Review it to ensure it captures the moments you want. You can make edits, such as trimming clips, rearranging media, or changing the soundtrack from Google's music library. When satisfied, tap Save to store the video in your gallery or share it directly with friends and family.

Save the video

Method 2: Creating manual highlight videos

If you prefer more control over the content and arrangement of your video, you can create a manual highlight video in Google Photos. This method allows you to select specific photos and videos and customize their order, duration, and soundtrack.

    STEP 1
  1. Select photos and videos

Open the Google Photos app and navigate to your library. Tap and hold on the photos and videos you want to include in your highlight video to select them.

Select photos
    STEP 2
  1. Create the highlight video

Once you've selected your media, tap the plus (+) icon at the top of the screen. Choose a "Highlight video" from the options. Google Photos will arrange your selected media into a video.

create video in google photos
    STEP 3
  1. Edit and save

One done, you can use Google Photos to edit video. Review the video and make any necessary edits. You can rearrange the order of clips, trim their length, and choose a soundtrack from Google's music library or your own files. When you're satisfied with the video, tap Save to store it in your Google Photos library.

Edit and save

How to make a video with Google Photos animations

Animations in Google Photos are simpler slideshows that quickly display a series of photos. Unlike Highlight Videos, animations don't include music or advanced editing options. This option is best used for capturing short, playful moments or creating quick visual sequences when you want to showcase a progression of images without the need for a polished video presentation. Here's how to make video from Google photos using Animations.

    STEP 1
  1. Open the Animation creator

To access the Animation feature, open the Google Photos app on your device. Look for the + icon, typically found at the top or bottom of the screen. Tap this icon to open the Create menu, where you'll find the option for Animation.

Go to Animations
    STEP 2
  1. Select photos

Once in the Animation creator, you'll be prompted to select the photos you want to include. Tap on each image to add it to your animation. Google Photos allows you to choose between 2 and 50 images for a single animation.

Select photos
    STEP 3
  1. Create and save

After selecting your photos, tap the Create button. Google Photos will automatically generate the animation, displaying the images in a looping sequence. You can then save the animation to your Google Photos library, where it will be stored as a GIF file or download it on your device.

Save the video

Deep review: Balanced points of creating video on Google Photos

Google Photos is a popular tool for creating videos, offering simplicity and convenience. However, it has both strengths and weaknesses that users should consider. Below is a detailed review of its pros and cons, followed by an objective conclusion.

Pros
  • Impressive facial recognition: Google Photos employs advanced AI-powered facial recognition technology, making it easy to organize and locate photos of specific people. This feature is particularly useful when creating thematic videos centered around family members, friends, or special events.
  • Easy sharing and collaboration: The platform allows users to share their videos effortlessly via links or direct sharing options. Collaboration is also seamless, as shared albums enable multiple users to contribute photos and videos to a single project.
  • Ad-free interface: Unlike many free tools, Google Photos provides an ad-free experience, ensuring users can focus on their creative process without distractions.
  • Cloud-Based: Being cloud-based means users can access their photos and videos from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility is ideal for people who work across multiple devices or need quick access to their media library while on the go.
Cons
  • Limited customization: While Google Photos offers automated video creation tools like Highlight Videos and Animations, its customization options are limited. Users cannot fully control transitions, effects, or advanced editing features, which restricts creative freedom.
  • Data compression: Google Photos compresses images and videos to save storage space in the cloud. While this helps manage large libraries, it can result in reduced quality for high-resolution files, which may be noticeable in the final video output.
  • Confined music options: The selection of music tracks available for Highlight Videos is limited to Google's predefined library. Users cannot upload custom soundtracks or explore broader options, which may not align with the tone they want for their videos.
  • Erratic video quality: Some users have reported inconsistencies in video playback quality, especially during streaming or sharing. This can detract from the viewing experience and make it less reliable for professional use.

Google Photos excels in simplicity, facial recognition, and sharing capabilities but falls short in areas like customization, data quality preservation, and soundtrack options. Given these drawbacks, many users may find themselves searching for a tool that offers more creative control without compromising on quality but improving on creativity. Luckily, that's where Dreamina comes into play. Let's dive in and see how this AI tool makes your photo move alive in seconds!

Dreamina: Emerging alternative to Google Photos video editor

Different from Google Photos's photo management platform, Dreamina is an innovative AI-powered video creator designed to transform photos into engaging videos. Utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning, Dreamina processes user inputs, connects pixels with pixels organically, and generates high-quality video. This technology enables everyone to practice their own visions and ideas, such as commemorating special events, crafting promotional materials for businesses, or simply sharing memorable moments with friends and family.

Dreamina

Steps to making videos in Dreamina

Ready to transform your photos into stunning videos? Dreamina makes it easy! Just follow these simple steps and unleash your creativity.

    STEP 1
  1. Upload your image

Navigate to the "Video generator" tab within Dreamina and hit "Generate." Click "Add image as first frame" to upload your picture. Now, it's time to write a compelling prompt that guides Dreamina's AI. Be specific and descriptive about the video you envision!

Upload the image

Apart from generating from the first frame image, Dreamina can also settle the last frame image. Simply hit "Use last frame" and Add the last frame" to upload your end-screen image. Based on your images, Dreamina will create a fluent transition video.

Upload the image
    STEP 2
  1. Generate your video

In this step, you will customize your video settings to ensure it meets your vision. Choose the appropriate model that aligns with the type of video you want to create. Adjust the camera settings to determine how the video will be framed. Set the speed at which the motion occurs in your video and select the aspect ratio that suits your intended platform for sharing. Once you’ve made all your adjustments, click the "Generate" button. Dreamina will process your inputs and create a unique video based on your image and specifications.

Generate video
    STEP 3
  1. Download

After Dreamina has generated your video, it will be available for you to review. Take a moment to watch the generated video and ensure it meets your expectations. Look for the download icon to save your video on your device.

Download the video

More Dreamina AI video generation feature

    1
  1. Extend video

The Extend video feature allows users to add extra time to their videos seamlessly. By incorporating additional frames, this tool ensures that transitions between scenes are smooth and that key moments are not rushed. This is particularly useful for refining pacing, allowing viewers to absorb important messages or visuals without abrupt cuts.

Extend video
    2
  1. Frame interpolation

Frame Interpolation enhances video fluidity by generating additional frames between existing ones using AI algorithms. This feature improves motion clarity, reduces stuttering, and ensures seamless transitions, making it ideal for creating slow-motion effects or enhancing the overall smoothness of the video. It’s especially beneficial for high-quality cinematic edits and professional video production.

Download the video
    3
  1. HD Upscale

The HD Upscale tool improves video quality by increasing resolution. This feature reduces noise, sharpens fine details, enhances textures, and transforms low-resolution footage into high-definition visuals. It is perfect for restoring old videos or upgrading content for modern displays, ensuring that your videos look crisp and professional.

Download the video
    4
  1. Generate soundtrack

The Generate Soundtrack feature allows users to add high-quality, AI-generated music that complements their video's tone and rhythm. Dreamina analyzes the visual elements to compose a soundtrack that aligns with the emotions and pacing of the scenes. Users can customize their soundtracks by selecting themes, moods, and instruments, making them ideal for ads, social media content, and professional projects.

Download the video

Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to use Google Photos to video option, detailing both automated and manual methods for transforming your cherished memories into engaging video content. However, if you are looking for a more professional option with advanced customization, then navigate to Dreamina and create stunning videos in seconds. With its AI-powered video generation features, Dreamina allows for extensive customization, high-definition output, and the ability to generate unique soundtracks tailored to your videos. Ready to elevate your video creation experience? Get started with Dreamina for free today!

FAQs

    1
  1. Is the video maker from Google Photos totally automatic?

Not really. Google Photos video maker is automatic only if there are sufficient photos and videos available from a specific event or if Google's AI detects the theme well. However, if any of these conditions are not met, then you have to create videos manually. If you are looking for automatic and easy video generation, Dreamina has you covered. Upload images and enter prompts in Dreamina, and it creates a stunning video in a few clicks. Get started with Dreamina today.

    2
  1. Can I create a video with Google Photos with custom BGM?

Yes, you can create videos in Google Photos and add background music (BGM) to them. While Google Photos provides a limited selection of music, you can add music as per your choice using Dreamina's Generate soundtrack option. This feature allows you to create tailored soundtracks that perfectly match your video with choosable "Mood," "Theme," "Genre," and "Instrument." Ready to elevate your video creation? Get started with Dreamina for free!

    3
  1. Can I create a video from Google Photos and change the ratio?

Google Photos allows users to create videos, but it does not provide extensive options for changing the aspect ratio of those videos directly within the app. If you need to customize the aspect ratio for different platforms, Dreamina supports ratio customization, enabling you to easily adjust your video dimensions to fit various formats, like 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for TikTok. Explore Dreamina today for more flexibility in video creation!