Animate the moment in an old photo
The tool reads who is in an uploaded old photo, what they are doing and where, and continues that moment as a short video. Someone mid-step keeps walking, a portrait subject breathes and changes expression, and wind moves hair, clothes and leaves. Alternatively, a specific movement such as a wave or a laugh can be described. In either case the photo keeps its original look, including black and white or faded colour, grain and paper texture.
Movement chosen by the scene or by description
With the movement box empty, the tool looks at the people, what they are doing and the setting, and picks the movement that would most naturally come next, such as walking on, turning to look, laughing, or the wind and water around them, with a slow camera move when it suits the scene. If the intended action is described instead, for example “she laughs and waves at the camera”, the clip follows the description. Faces stay true to the photo in either case, and nothing new is added to the scene.
Five-second clip without sound
Each animation is a five-second video without sound, at 480p, 720p, 1080p or 4K, with 720p selected first. The frame follows the shape of the photo, and the original grain, tone and paper texture are kept rather than replaced with modern lighting.
Restoring a damaged photo first
Cracks and stains can flicker when a picture moves. For a badly damaged print, the AI Photo Restoration tool should be run first, and the repaired version downloaded and animated.
Uses for animated photos
Family portraits
A grandparent or a great-grandparent can be seen blinking and smiling in a photo that has only ever been seen as a still.
Memorials and gifts
A short moving portrait can be made for a memorial slideshow, an anniversary or a family gathering.
Local history and family trees
Old photos in a local history project or a family tree can be given movement.
How to animate an old photo
Upload the portrait
Add a JPG, PNG or WebP of the photo, ideally with the faces clearly visible.
Choose the quality and the movement
Select 480p, 720p, 1080p or 4K; the price on Generate follows the selection. Describe how the people should move, or leave the box empty and the scene decides.
Generate
Video generation takes some time. The page can be left, and the result opened later in History.
Watch and download
The clip plays under the controls and can be downloaded.
How credits work for animated photos
One price per run, shown before the run starts.
The clip is five seconds long and silent, at 480p, 720p, 1080p or 4K. Before you click, the Generate button shows how many credits this run costs. Automatic settings are priced at the most expensive possible tier. A successful generation is charged exactly the quoted credits. Failures caused by us or blocked by our content checks cost nothing. If the generation service does not charge for a failure, neither do we. If it does, you pay for the actual usage, capped at the quote, and the record shows the charge.
If the animation cannot be made, the page explains why and whether a charge was made. Our own failures and photos stopped by the content check cost nothing.
Animating photos is one of the AI tools that are available with any credit pack and remain available while the paid credits are valid.
See credit packs and pricingFrequently asked questions
Need more information? Email us at support@arumi.ai.
What kind of movement does it add?
By default, the movement that fits the scene. The tool reads who is in the photo, what they are doing and the place around them, and continues that moment naturally: people move, the surroundings move with them, and the camera may drift slowly. If a movement is described in the box, such as a wave, a laugh or a turn of the head, the clip follows it instead.
How long is the video?
Five seconds, without sound, at 480p, 720p, 1080p or 4K.
Does it work on group photos?
It works best with one or a few people whose faces are clear. In large groups with small faces, the movement is harder to see and to keep natural.
Will it colorize my photo?
No. The tool keeps the original look of the photo, including black and white, faded colour and grain. The AI Photo Restoration tool can add colour and should be used first for that purpose.
Is it appropriate to animate photos of people who have died?
Many families find it moving, but it is a personal choice. Photos should be used only where the user has the right to use them, and the result should be shared with care.
How much does it cost?
The Generate button shows how many credits a run costs before it is clicked. A successful generation is charged exactly the quoted credits.
Animate a family photo
Upload a portrait at the top of this page and check the credits before generating.