How to make a video into a Live Photo.
This page covers the steps on how to make a video a Live Photo using Adobe Express.
A Live Photo is a moving photo that records one and a half seconds of motion and sound just before and after the picture is taken. Live Photos bring images to life, adding movement to stills. They’re great for capturing a moment in time and adding emotion to photos. And you can use them as wallpaper backgrounds, to add interest to your social media, or in a digital gallery. Read on to learn how to make a video a Live Photo, and more.
What is a Live Photo?
A Live Photo is a feature on iPhones that captures more than just a still image—it records 1.5 seconds of video and audio before and after you press the shutter. The result is a photo that moves and has sound when you press and hold it in your Photos app.
Live Photos add a layer of realism and emotion that a still image can’t always capture—like the flicker of a smile, a wave crashing, or your pet turning its head. It’s a perfect blend of photo and video, letting you relive a moment as it really happened.
They take slightly more memory space than traditional photos, but less than videos. Learn how to make a video a Live Photo and turn it into a short video using Adobe Express.
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What are the advantages of Live Photos?
Live videos add a sense of emotion and life that can be difficult to capture through a standard picture. Some benefits include:
- Bringing still photos and memories to life. Add life to static images with subtle movements and sounds. A candid smile, the flicker of birthday candles or some particularly impressive weather can all make your memories feel more real.
- Capturing action shots movement. Record movement and capture important moments. This is great for dynamic sport photography. Or your child taking their very first steps, for example.
- More Engaging Portrait Shots. Capture subtle details like eyelines, blinks, head tilts, and smirks—small movements that add authenticity and reveal more of your subject’s personality.
- Ability to add effects. Enhance your Live Photos with features such as loop, bounce and long exposure. Transform simple shots into eye-catching masterpieces.
- Choose the best photo. Pick the best photo from the multiple frames captured in Live Photos. It’s great for picking that one perfect shot.
- Social sharing friendly. Turn Live Photos into GIFs or boomerangs. Use Adobe Express to convert your videos to GIFs for free.
How to turn a video into a Live Photo.
Live Photos are primarily an iPhone-only native feature, so you'll need an iPhone to capture them. But, if you don’t have an iPhone – don’t fret. Fortunately, there are third party apps you can use to create Live Photos. Here’s how to turn a video into a Live Photo using these apps:
Can you share Live Photos converted from videos?
When you create Live Photos on an iPhone, sharing them can sometimes be limited. If you send a Live Photo to someone who isn't using an Apple device, they might only see a still image—without the motion or effects. However, if you've used a third-party app to convert your Live Photo into a video or GIF, it's easier to share across different platforms.
If you want to post a Live Photo to social media, you will likely need to post it as a video, not a Live Photo.
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How can Adobe Express help with video and image editing?
Adobe Express can help with a range of video and image editing needs. Create captivating videos for all purposes easily with Adobe Express:
1. Edit images online for free.
Edit images online for free – no need to download anything. Just upload your pictures and use Adobe Express’ editing features to create the ideal image.
2. Make eye-catching videos from scratch.
Create attention-grabbing videos by customising your own clips. Add text, filters and music to craft content you can later transform into a Live Photo.
3. Convert your videos to GIFs.
Turn your videos into looping GIFs in a few easy steps. It’s also a good way to experiment with the image’s movement to get an idea of what it will look like before converting to a Live Photo.
Resize images with a dedicated AI tool.
Automatically adjust the size of your photos using the Adobe Express AI image resizer tool. Simply upload your photo, decide on your ideal dimensions, and click resize to generate three variations of your updated image. It’s a way to quickly create alternative versions of the same image – useful when sharing the same content across various channels, like your brand’s website and social media profile.