How to choose, step by step
Ask what the story is. "How he grew up" is a growing-up film. "The moments we loved" is a memories film.
Check who is in the photos. A growing-up film needs one main person who is clear in every photo, from the first to the last. In a memories film, couples, groups and different people can appear.
Check how the photos are spread. A growing-up film works well when the photos are spread across the years, without gaps that are too large. A memories film doesn't need a sequence: good photos from a few moments are enough.
Match the occasion.
The occasion or the material The right film A child's or teenager's birthday, the end of a stage, a gift for a loved one Growing-up film Photos from all the years of one person, from infancy to today Growing-up film A special birthday for a parent, with old family photos Memories film Old album photos or scans Memories film An anniversary, a family gathering, a memorial for a loved one Memories film 
The "A new film" screen: choose between a growing-up film and a memories film The difference in motion. In a growing-up film the photos join in a continuous transition, and each transition is real motion, not a "slideshow". In a memories film each photo gets its own motion, such as a step forward or a smile opening up, and then the story moves on.
Try it for free. The site always asks which film you want. The free preview gives you the first 2 animations. More about the preview in the free preview guide.
You can also make both. If you have a main person and also general family photos, you can make two films. Each is built separately, and the free preview is once per person.
Three examples
An 80-year-old father, and an old album. The photos are spread over decades, and some are group photos. This is a memories film: every photo gets a moment of its own.
A teenager approaching a big event. There are photos of him at every age, and he is clear in all of them. This is a growing-up film, and you can watch him grow from photo to photo.
A couple on their anniversary. Photos of the two of them together over the years, with no single main figure. This is a memories film.
If your photos fall between the two situations, try the free preview with one type and see whether you like the result. You can watch examples of both types on the main page before you upload photos. Watching both takes about a minute, and it helps you decide quickly.
What to avoid
- Choosing a growing-up film when there is no clear main person. The film may lose track of the person.
- Uploading photos with no people at all to a memories film. A film in which most photos have no people in them will be flagged by the site.
- Thinking you can decide after you pay. The film type is chosen at the start of the process.
- Expecting faces identical in every detail. We aim to preserve the likeness, but we can't promise it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix the two types in one film?
No. Each film is of one type.
Which photos work in a memories film?
Photos with people, sharp, including old or scanned ones. Group photos suit it better than they suit a growing-up film.
How many photos suit a growing-up film?
Usually 24 to 48, but anything from 2 to 100 is possible.
Can I change the film type after I have started?
It is best to decide at the start of the process. If you made a mistake, write to us through the "Contact" page and we will help.
