VidotoryHow Many Photos Do You Need for a Growing Up Video?
You need between 2 and 24 photos. Every pair of neighbouring photos becomes one transition of about 5 seconds, so the video is roughly 5 seconds times the number of photos minus one. Five photos make about 20 seconds, twelve make about 55 seconds, and 24 make about 115 seconds.
Photos and video length
| Photos | Transitions | Video length | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | about 5 s | A very short before and after |
| 5 | 4 | about 20 s | A simple gift: baby, child, teenager, adult, today |
| 8 | 7 | about 35 s | A birthday or a school years video |
| 12 | 11 | about 55 s | A life story with a photo for each phase |
| 16 | 15 | about 75 s | A milestone birthday |
| 24 | 23 | about 115 s | A whole life, a decade at a time |
How to decide
Start from the story, not from the number:
- A short moment (a child's first year, a school year): 5 photos is often enough.
- A childhood to now: 8 to 12 photos, one for each phase.
- A whole life: 16 to 24 photos, so each decade has room.
Then check the length. A video of about a minute (12 photos) is long enough to move people and short enough to hold their attention at a party. A video past two minutes needs strong photos to stay interesting.
One strong photo per stage
More photos is not better by itself. Five near-identical photos from one afternoon make five transitions that barely change. Pick one clear photo for each stage and space the ages out evenly. For the checklist, read how to choose photos for a growing up video.
What if you have too many or too few
- Too many: keep the clearest face for each stage and set the rest aside. If you really want more, move up a plan.
- Too few: two photos are enough for a video. If you have only a few old photos, a short video with five good photos still works. Ask relatives for more.
- Just over a plan limit: Vidotory suggests the smallest plan that fits your photos and lets you choose a bigger one. Look at the plans before you add the last photos.
Mistakes to avoid
- Chasing the maximum. Twenty-four photos are for a whole life, not for a birthday.
- Padding with near-duplicates. They waste transitions.
- Forgetting the face. Every photo should show the face clearly.
More guides
FAQ
What is the minimum number of photos?
Two. That makes one transition of about 5 seconds.
What is the maximum?
Twenty-four photos, which make a video of about 115 seconds.
Is the length exact?
It is an estimate: about 5 seconds for each pair of neighbouring photos. Eight photos give roughly 35 seconds.
Do I pay by the photo?
No. You pay once for a plan that covers up to a number of photos. See which plan to pick.
Are my photos kept?
Photos and videos are deleted automatically 30 days after you create the project. Your photos are used only to make your video. Read the privacy policy.
Is there a watermark or a subscription?
No. You pay once and download an MP4 without a watermark.