Video

Image to video: animate a photo with AI

Upload a photo as the first frame and write what should happen: the person smiles and turns their head, waves roll onto the shore, the camera slowly pulls back. The model turns the photo into a clip with sound.

Animate a photoHailuo 3 — 13 credits per second of video

Examples

Dance in the fieldModel: Kling 3.0 Standardno soundPrompt: The newlywed couple dances barefoot in the wildflower field, she twirls, her veil flows in the warm wind, flowers sway, golden sunset light, slow camera drift, true-to-life
The clay baker comes aliveModel: Seedance 2.0 Minino soundPrompt: Claymation stop-motion style: the little clay bear baker lifts the fresh loaf a bit higher, a thin wisp of steam rises from the bread, he smiles and nods happily, the tiny bakery stays still, soft studio light.
Cliffs above the oceanModel: Kling 3.0 Standardno soundPrompt: Cinemagraph: turquoise waves roll in and break softly on the rocks below the cliffs, sunlight glitters on the water, slow aerial drift forward, bright morning, true-to-life
Anime scene brought to life: a bike ride under cherry blossomsModel: Seedance 2.0 Minino soundPrompt: The anime illustration comes to life: the girl rides her bicycle along the path under blooming cherry trees, pink petals drift in the breeze, her hair and skirt move gently, the camera follows slowly, soft spring light, keep the hand-drawn watercolor anime style, no text
Icelandic waterfallModel: Kling 3.0 Standardno soundPrompt: Cinemagraph: the huge waterfall pours down continuously, mist rises and drifts, the tiny hiker in the red jacket stands still, moody overcast sky, static camera, true-to-life

Prices

Hailuo 3 · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yesSound: noVideo reference
2K13 credits13 credits13 credits
Seedance 2.5 · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yesSound: noVideo reference
480p11 credits11 credits7 credits
720p24 credits24 credits14 credits
Kling 3.0 Standard · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yesSound: no
720p13 credits9 credits
Kling 3.0 Pro · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yesSound: no
720p17 credits12 credits
Veo 3.1 Lite · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yesSound: no
720p5 credits3 credits
1080p8 credits5 credits
Seedance 2.0 Mini · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yesSound: noVideo reference
480p4 credits4 credits3 credits
720p8 credits8 credits5 credits
HeyGen Avatar IV · per second of video
ResolutionSound: yes
720p5 credits
1080p5 credits

Prices are in credits. The total for a generation shows on the button before you start.

Prices and capabilities checked against the studio catalog on October 7, 2026

How to start

  1. Open the video studio on the Create video tab.
  2. Press First frame and upload your photo.
  3. Describe the motion and choose the model, length and sound.
  4. Check the price on the button and start.

How it works

  • The photo becomes the first frame of the clip: the scene, faces and light are taken from it.
  • You can also set the last frame — the model works out the motion between the two shots.
  • Describe the motion in words: who moves, where, and what the camera does. The more specific the description, the closer the result is to what you had in mind.
  • Sound is a separate switch: the sound of the sea, music, a voice.

Which models animate photos

  • Seedance 2.5 — clips of 4–30 s, price: from 11 credits per second of video. You can also add the photo as a reference, together with pictures of other characters and objects, but then without a first frame. Seedance does not accept photos with real faces.
  • Kling 3.0 — first and last frame, clips of 3–15 s. Standard: from 9 credits per second of video.
  • Veo 3.1 Lite — the most affordable Veo: from 3 credits per second of video.
  • Hailuo 3 — clips in 2K: 13 credits per second of video. This is the model the studio suggests for photos of real people.
  • Seedance 2.0 Mini — a low-cost option for testing an idea: from 4 credits per second of video.

Talking photo

To make the person in a photo talk with lip movement, pick HeyGen Avatar IV. It needs one photo plus either a text for the portrait to read aloud or a ready voice recording. The clip lasts as long as the speech, up to a minute. Price: 5 credits per second of video; you can make the voice recording in the text to speech studio.

Rules

You can animate your own photos and photos of people who have agreed to it. Requests go through automatic moderation under the service rules, and prohibited scenes are blocked.

FAQ

Can I animate a photo for free?
No: a clip from a photo costs credits on every plan. Only the frame itself can be made for free — draw or edit the photo in GPT Image 2.5 within the daily allowance. Credits come with paid plans, packs from 300 ₽ (≈ $3.51) and tasks in your profile.
How much does it cost to animate a photo?
You pay per second of video: Veo 3.1 Lite costs from 3 credits per second of video, Seedance 2.0 Mini from 4 credits per second of video. The total for a clip shows on the button before you start.
Can I animate an old photo?
Yes. Upload a scan or a picture of the old photograph as the first frame and describe a subtle movement: a blink, a smile, a turn of the head. For photos of real people, pick Hailuo 3: Seedance does not accept them.
Can I do it without signing up?
You can’t make a clip without logging in. Logging in with Telegram is one button, with no email or password, and your credits and finished clips stay in your account.
How long will the video be?
It depends on the model: Seedance 2.5 makes 4–30 s, Kling 3.0 3–15 s, Hailuo 3 5–15 s, Veo 3.1 Lite 4–8 s. The price is per second, so start with a short clip for a test.
Can I make the person in the photo talk?
Yes, with HeyGen Avatar IV: upload a photo and type the text or add a voice recording, and the portrait speaks it with lip movement.

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