How to Make Reels with Photos: 2 Quick and Easy Methods

Reel's key features and requirements

• Duration: Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, giving you enough time for creative expression.
• Size of file: The maximum size of a file you can use is 4GB, ensuring high-quality content.
• Resolution & aspect ratio: The ideal resolution is 1080x1920 pixels, with a 9:16 aspect ratio for mobile-optimized viewing.
• Number of photos: You can feature up to 50 photos, adjusting them to fit within the 90-second time frame.

Method 1: Create a Reel with photos using the Instagram app

Crafting a Reel with photos on Instagram is a fun and easy way to share your memories or showcase your creative ideas. Instagram's Reels feature allows you to combine multiple photos, add music, effects, and text, and share it with your followers in a dynamic way.

STEP 1
1. Getting started with Instagram

To start, open up the Instagram app on your mobile device. At the bottom of the screen, tap the "plus" sign (+) to access the Reels section. This is where you can create and customize your content.

STEP 2
1. Select photos for your Reel

Next, choose the photos you want to include in your Reel. Access your camera gallery and select the images you want. Instagram allows you to pick up to 50 photos at once, but remember that the 90-second limit on Reels will adjust to how long each photo is displayed.

STEP 3
1. Editing the photos in the Reel

Once you've selected your images, tap on them to customize the order and timing. Instagram's built-in editing tools allow you to adjust filters, set transitions, and enhance your photos. You can add text, stickers, or effects to make your Reel stand out and keep your audience engaged. It's easy to make a photo Reel on Instagram with these features.

STEP 4
1. Add music and sounds

Instagram offers a vast music library. You can choose a track to sync with your photos, creating a cohesive, dynamic Reel. Adjust the music's volume to balance the sound with any effects you've added. You can also upload your audio if you prefer.

STEP 5
1. Final touches and settings

After editing, tap "Next" to proceed to advanced settings. Here, you can tag people, add locations, or adjust privacy options to control who can view your Reel. Adding captions and hashtags is a great way to increase discoverability.

STEP 6
1. Saving and sharing the Reel

Once you're happy with your creation, you can either save it as a draft by tapping "Save draft" or share it immediately by clicking "Share." You can publish it to your Instagram profile. Engage with your audience using comments, likes, and shares.

Key features

• Text editing: This feature helps you add personalized captions to your Instagram Reels with photos, ensuring clarity and creativity in every frame.
• Diverse stickers: Whether it's for fun or emphasis, stickers bring your photos and videos to life.
• Captions: You can align your captions with photos, making your message clearer to viewers.
• Audio editing: Syncing music with your photos and videos ensures smooth transitions and enhances your storytelling.

Method 2: Create Reels with photos using CapCut on a PC

CapCut is a powerful video editing tool that lets you effortlessly create Instagram Reels from photos. It allows you to import photos in various formats, including JPG and PNG, making it easy to customize your content. You can add music, transitions, and effects to create stunning photo Reels on Instagram. Whether you're working with multiple photos or combining photos with videos, CapCut offers a seamless editing experience. Start creating your perfect Instagram Reel with photos today!

STEP 1
1. Import your photos

Start by importing photos into CapCut. You can upload images from your device or choose from CapCut's library. Add them to the timeline for easy editing. Set the video ratio to 9:16.

STEP 2
1. Edit photos with style

Next, adjust the display time for each photo. You can set how long each image will appear. Add smooth photo and video transitions to create a seamless flow. CapCut offers a vast collection of transition effects, including Fade, Glitch, Blur, and Zoom, allowing you to enhance your edits effortlessly. Enhance your photos with text, stickers, and filters. You can also incorporate background music to elevate the vibe of your Reel. Make sure your edits match the tone of the photos.

STEP 3
1. Export Reel video

Once you're happy with your creation, select the desired video format to export. Later, click on export to save it locally on the device or share.

Key features

• Visual elements: CapCut provides many visual elements to enhance your Instagram photo Reels, such as filters, stickers, and transitions.
• Music syncing: There is a stock of copyright-free music tracks in CapCut; you can add and adjust them.
• Two video formats exported: You can export your Reels in MP4 or MOV format, ensuring high-quality video for sharing and downloading.
• AI-powered tools: CapCut includes AI features, including auto-captions, AI writer, and script-to-video.

Tips for creating a professional-looking Instagram Reel

• Photo composition: Choose high-quality, attention-grabbing photos that align with your Reel theme. To balance the composition, follow the rule of thirds – position your subject, like a person, in the lower two-thirds of the frame for a professional look.
• Use of animation and effects: Add subtle animations and effects to bring your photos to life. CapCut allows you to apply smooth animations, enhancing engagement and making your photos dynamic.
• Sync music and photos: Align your photos with the rhythm of the music. CapCut's beat-sync feature automatically inserts frames based on the music's rhythm, ensuring your photos align seamlessly with the beat.
• Keep transitions smooth: Ensure seamless transitions between photos for better flow. CapCut provides transition effects to keep your Reel smooth and professional.
• Maintain consistency: Always use a consistent theme and color palette. Use CapCut's color correction to unify the look and feel of your Reel.

Bonus Tips: How to increase Instagram Reels video views

• Use popular hashtags and challenges: Hashtags boost visibility. Use trending ones relevant to your content. For example, if you're showcasing a photo slideshow, use hashtags like #PhotoReels, #PhotographyReels, or #InstaReels. Participating in challenges also gets your content in front of a larger audience.
• Cross-platform sharing and promotion: Share your Instagram Reels on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. This expands your reach beyond just Instagram followers. For instance, after posting your Reels featuring a creative mix of photos and videos, share them on your stories across other platforms to increase exposure.
• Use popular audio: Reels with trending audio tend to perform better. Adding popular soundtracks to your Reels that fit your Reel content can help the algorithm discover your content and increase the chance of becoming popular.
• Collaborate with other creators: Partner with creators in similar niches to grow your views. For example, if you're into photography, collaborate with other photographers or videographers to create engaging content.
• Analyze performance with Instagram insights: Check your Reels' performance in Instagram Insights. See which content gets the most engagement and replicate it. For example, if your photo Reels with music gained more views, create more similar content.
• Regularly update content: Keep posting fresh Reels regularly. Generally speaking, the most recommended update frequency is 3-5 times a week. Regular updates can let the audience know your update time and watch your content on time.

Conclusion

Both Instagram and CapCut offer simple yet effective ways to create engaging Reels using photos. If you're looking for a quick, in-app solution, Instagram provides built-in tools to edit, enhance, and share your content seamlessly. However, for those seeking a more polished and professional output, CapCut stands out with its advanced editing features, AI-powered tools, and smooth transitions. Choosing the correct method depends on your creative needs and desired level of customization. Now that you know how to make Reels with photos, start experimenting with CapCut today and bring your visuals to life with stunning, high-quality Reels!

FAQs

1
1. What are the key differences between Instagram Stories and Reels?

Instagram Stories are short, 15-second posts that disappear after 24 hours, primarily used for quick updates. Reels, on the other hand, are up to 90-second videos that are more engaging and meant for a wider audience. Reels can be discovered through the Explore page, whereas stories are primarily shared with your followers. No matter what type, CapCut's rich features help create the best results for you.

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1. How does Instagram Reels' recommendation algorithm work?

The Reels algorithm recommends content based on your interactions and interests. It uses your past likes, comments, shares, and the type of content you engage with. If you often engage with Reels featuring a particular creator, you're likely to see more of their content.

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1. Can I schedule Instagram Reels with photos in advance?

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn't allow you to schedule Reels with photos directly in the app. However, you can use third-party tools like Buffer or Later to schedule and plan your posts. To make Reels with photos, use a professional video editor like CapCut, which provides various features like transitions, image enhancement, and music tracks.