How to choose photos for your film

You don't need perfect photos - just the right ones. Here are a few small things that will help the film flow much better.

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Clear faces

Choose photos where the face is clear and not too small. Close-ups usually work better than distant group shots.

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The same person, across the years

A growing-up film tells one person's story. It should be clear who the main person is all the way through - from the first photos to today.

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Spread the photos across the years

Try to choose photos from different periods, without leaving gaps that are too big. That way the change over time feels natural and continuous.

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Good light and a clear picture

Bright, sharp photos work best. If the face is dark, blurry or hidden, the result may not be as good.

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Similar angles can help

You don't need the same pose in every photo, but transitions between photos where the face is at a similar angle usually come out smoother.

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You don't have to use them all

24-48 photos suit most growing-up films, but you can choose anywhere between 2 and 100.

✅ Works beautifully

  • Photos from different periods across the years
  • Faces that are clear and easy to recognize
  • Good light and a sharp picture
  • The main person is clearly in view
  • Old or scanned photos can work beautifully too

🚫 Better to avoid

  • Group photos where the main person is hard to pick out
  • Screenshots, collages and photos with a lot of text
  • Very blurry or very dark photos
  • Faces that are almost completely hidden
  • The same photo over and over

Already have a few photos in mind?

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