How to Add Pictures on TikTok

Adding pictures to TikTok is one of the easiest ways to create engaging content without needing to film a full-blown video. Whether you want to share a photo dump in a slideshow, create a side-swiping carousel, or use an image as a background, you have several creative options built right into the app. This guide covers every single method, step by step, and gives you some pro tips for making your picture-based content stand out.

How to Use TikTok's Photo Mode for a Photo Carousel

TikTok's Photo Mode is its direct answer to Instagram's carousels. It lets you upload a series of still images that viewers can swipe through at their own pace. This format is great for storytelling, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes looks. Here's exactly how to use it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Photo Mode:

1. Open TikTok and Tap the Plus (+) Icon: Start just like you would to create any other type of content. The "+" button is at the bottom center of your screen.
2. Go to 'Upload': On the recording screen, look to the bottom right and tap the "Upload" button. This will open your device's camera roll.
3. Select Your Photos: At the top of your camera roll, you'll see tabs for "Videos" and "Photos." Tap the "Photos" tab. Now, tap "Select multiple" to choose all the images you want to include in your carousel. A number will appear on each photo indicating its order.
4. Switch to 'Photo Mode': After selecting your photos and hitting "Next," you'll land on the editor screen. At the bottom, you'll see two options: "Switch to video mode" or "Switch to photo mode." Make sure you have "Photo mode" selected. If it's in video mode, TikTok will automatically turn your pictures into a fast-paced slideshow. For a swipeable carousel, you must be in Photo Mode.
5. Add Music and Effects: Now the fun part. Tap "Add sound" at the top to choose a trending song or an audio clip that fits your vibe. Music is a huge part of photo content on TikTok, it sets the mood even without video. You can also add text, stickers, and filters to your images just like you would with a video. Note that these additions will appear on every photo in the carousel, so keep them somewhere unobtrusive like a corner.
6. Write Your Caption and Post: After you're done editing, tap "Next." You'll be taken to the final posting screen where you can write your caption, add hashtags, tag accounts, and choose your cover image. When you're ready, hit "Post."

Pro-Tip: Use Photo Mode to tell a progressive story. For example, a "Get Ready With Me" can show step-by-step images, or a recipe can be shown one photo at a time. This format encourages people to swipe through your entire set, increasing their watch time on your post.

How to Make a Classic Photo Slideshow Video

If you prefer a more traditional video format, turning your pictures into an auto-playing slideshow is the way to go. Slideshows are perfect for high-energy photo montages set to a fast-paced trending song. TikTok gives you two simple ways to do this: using a template or creating it manually.

Method 1: Using TikTok Templates

Templates are pre-made video formats with music, cuts, and a set number of clips already designed for you. All you have to do is drop your photos in.

How to Use Templates for Your Photos:

1. Start a New Post: Tap the "+" icon to begin.
2. Find and Tap on 'Templates': Instead of hitting "Upload," look for the "Templates" option on the bottom navigation bar of the camera screen.
3. Browse and Select a Template: Swipe through the available templates. Each one shows you how many photos it requires and previews the transitions and music. Find one you like with a catchy soundbite.
4. Select Your Photos: Once you've chosen a template, tap "Select photos" to open your camera roll and choose the images it requires.
5. Preview and Edit: TikTok will automatically place your images into the template, sync them to the music, and add effects. From here, you can add extra text or filters before moving on to the final posting screen.

Method 2: Creating a Slideshow Manually

For more creative control, you can build a photo slideshow from scratch. This allows you to set the duration for each picture and choose your own transitions.

How to Manually Create a Photo Slideshow:

1. Tap '+' and Go to 'Upload': Same as before, start by tapping the plus button and then going to "Upload."
2. Select Your Photos and Choose 'Video Mode': Select all the pictures you want in your slideshow. When you get to the editing screen, make sure it's in "Video mode." If it says "Switch to video mode," tap it. TikTok will automatically turn your selected images into video clips.
3. Adjust Clip Timings: On the editing screen, you'll see your pictures laid out as clips in a timeline at the bottom. To change how long each photo stays on screen, tap "Edit" on the right sidebar (it looks like a pair of scissors). From there, you can tap on an individual clip and drag its edges to make it longer or shorter. Syncing quick photo changes to the beat of a song is a highly effective strategy here.
4. Add Transitions: While in the "Edit" timeline view, you'll see small white icons between each clip. Tap on these icons to add a transition like "Fade," "Zoom in," or "Slide." Good transitions can make a simple slideshow feel much more polished and professional.
5. Add Music, Text, and Post: Finally, add your sound, text overlays, and filters. When you're done, write your caption and post your slideshow video.

How to Add a Picture into a Video (Green Screen Effect)

Ever wanted to use a photo as your background while you talk to the camera? Or maybe place a picture as a small element inside a video you're filming? That's where the Green Screen effect comes in. It's one of the most versatile tools on TikTok for incorporating still images.

Here's How to Use the Green Screen Effect with a Photo:

1. Open the Camera Screen: Tap the "+" icon as usual.
2. Open the Effects Panel: On the left side of the camera screen, tap on "Effects." An effects tray will pop up at the bottom.
3. Find the Green Screen Effect: In the effects tray, look for the "Green Screen" tab. There are several versions of this effect. The most common one is a green icon showing a person in front of a picture. Tap it.
4. Choose Your Photo: A small window showing your camera roll will appear above the effects tray. Select the picture you want to use as your background.
5. Record Your Video: The chosen photo will now be your background. Your face and body will be superimposed on top. You can pinch to zoom yourself in or out and drag to reposition yourself within the frame. Now, you can record your video with the image as the backdrop.

Another Green Screen Option: There's another Green Screen effect that appears as a sticker. This lets you place a floating, resizable version of a photo anywhere in your video frame while the camera films the natural environment behind you. It's perfect for reacting to memes, showing a product image while you talk about it, or adding a visual aid to a tutorial.

Tips for Better Picture-Based TikTok Content

Just because you're using static images doesn't mean your content has to feel lifeless. Here are a few strategies to elevate your TikToks made with pictures.

• Use High-Quality Photos: This sounds obvious, but it makes a huge difference. Grainy, poorly lit photos will get scrolled past immediately. Use clear, bright, and compelling images to catch your audience's eye.
• Always Add Trending Audio: Sound is 50% of the experience on TikTok. For both Photo Mode carousels and slideshow videos, adding a popular or fitting sound can dramatically boost your views and engagement. An image on its own is silent, but an image with the right song can convey emotion and energy.
• Tell a Clear Story: Don't just post a random collection of images. Structure your photos with a beginning, middle, and end. For example, show a "process" in a carousel or a montage of your week in a slideshow capped off with a satisfying final shot. Give the viewer a reason to watch until the end.
• Sync Your Cuts to the Music: For slideshows, your editing is everything. Make your photo transitions hit on the beat of the song. Quick, rhythmic cuts create a sense of momentum and make the video feel more dynamic and shareable.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're making a swipeable photo carousel, a quick-cut video slideshow, or using the Green Screen effect, incorporating pictures into your TikToks is a powerful way to diversify your content strategy. The platform gives you all the tools you need to create visually appealing posts that tell a story, educate, or entertain without ever having to record a second of video.

Thinking about all these different content formats across multiple platforms can feel like a lot to juggle. As our team scaled its own social media presence, we quickly realized that planning out our video ideas, photo carousels, and single-image posts visually was a game-changer. So much of our strategy centers around having a bird's-eye view, which is why we built a visual content calendar right into Postbase. Being able to drag and drop TikTok photo carousel ideas right next to our Reels and Shorts helps us spot gaps and keep our content flow consistent without feeling overwhelmed.