Showing off more than one photo in a single Pinterest post is a powerful way to stop the scroll, and it’s much simpler than you might think. A single image is great, but a multi-photo Pin can tell a story, demonstrate a process, or showcase a full product line in one cohesive package. This guide will walk you through the three best methods for sharing multiple photos, giving you step-by-step instructions for each so you can level up your Pinterest strategy today.
Why Bother with Multiple Photos on Pinterest?
Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." Pinners are on the platform for inspiration, and Pins that offer more context and value tend to perform better. Multi-photo Pins are an excellent way to stand out for a few reasons:
- Deeper Storytelling: You can guide a user through a DIY project step-by-step, share different angles of a product, or show a before-and-after transformation. This narrative arc creates a more memorable experience than a single, static image.
- Increased Engagement: Interactive formats like Carousels and videos encourage users to spend more time on your Pin. This longer "dwell time" signals to the Pinterest algorithm that your content is valuable, which can lead to broader distribution.
- Higher Value in a Single Pin: Instead of creating five separate Pins for five different recipes, you can combine them into a single, high-impact collage Pin titled "5 Easy Weeknight Dinners." This gives users more of what they're looking for, faster.
Essentially, using multiple photos gives you more creative real estate to capture attention and deliver the inspiration or information your audience is searching for.
Method 1: Master the Carousel Pin
A Carousel Pin is a swipeable post that allows you to include up to 10 separate images (or "cards") in a single Pin. It’s one of the most direct and effective ways to feature multiple photos without any external tools.
When to Use a Carousel Pin
Carousels are perfect for any content that has a sequence or tells a story. Think about using them for:
- Step-by-Step Tutorials: Show each phase of a recipe, craft, workout routine, or home improvement project.
- Product Showcases: Display a product from multiple angles, show it in use, or feature different color variations and styles.
- Before and Afters: A classic for home decor, renovations, fitness transformations, or beauty tutorials.
- Guides and Lists: "5 Ways to Style a Scarf," with each card demonstrating a different style.
How to Create a Carousel Pin (Step-by-Step)
Creating a Carousel is straightforward and can be done directly on the Pinterest desktop site. Here’s how:
- Log in and Create: Log in to your Pinterest account. In the top-left corner, click Create and then select Create Pin.
- Upload Your Images: You'll see an upload area. Drag and drop or click the circle with the arrow to select your images from your computer. Remember to select all the images you want in your Carousel at once (up to 10).
- Activate the Carousel: Once your images are uploaded, Pinterest will display them as individual Pin drafts. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a button that says Create a carousel. Click it.
- Organize Your Cards: Your images will now be grouped into a single Carousel preview. You can drag and drop the small image thumbnails on the left side to reorder the cards into the perfect sequence for your story.
- Add the Details: This is where you bring your Pin to life.
- Choose a Board: Select the most relevant board from the dropdown menu.
- Title: Write a compelling, keyword-rich title. For a tutorial, be specific: "Easy Step-by-Step Sourdough Bread Recipe."
- Description: Use the characters to expand on the "what" and "why" of your Pin. Include relevant keywords and hashtags.
- Alt Text: Write a brief description of what’s in the images for accessibility and SEO.
- Destination Link: Add the URL you want users to visit when they click through your Pin.
- Publish: Once everything looks good, click the Publish button, and your Carousel Pin will be live!
Tips for High-Performing Carousel Pins
- Hook Them with the First Image: Your first card is your chance to stop the scroll. Use a stunning "after" shot, a picture of the delicious final dish, or a beautiful title card to make users want to see more.
- Add Text Overlays: Guide your audience through the experience. Add simple text like "Step 1," "Swipe for More," or captions for each image to provide context without them needing to read the description.
- End with a Call to Action (CTA): The last card is your opportunity to tell users what to do next. A simple "Click the link to get the full recipe!" or "Shop the look on our website!" can significantly increase click-through rates.
Method 2: Turn Your Photos into an Engaging Video Pin
Video content is king on almost every platform, and Pinterest is no exception. Turning your series of photos into a simple video slideshow can grab attention instantly as it autoplays in users' feeds. This method lets you add music, transitions, and dynamic text, making it a more immersive experience than a static image.
When to Use a Video Slideshow Pin
A video slideshow is fantastic when you want to create a certain mood or flow. Use it for:
- Lookbooks and Collections: A clothing brand can quickly flip through the key pieces of a new collection.
- Quick Tutorials: Show a rapid succession of images to demonstrate a process, like steps in a makeup tutorial or the assembly of a product.
- Travel Guides: Create a highlights reel of a trip, showing different locations and moments with upbeat music.
How to Create a Video Slideshow Pin
You can create a basic video slideshow right in the Pinterest mobile app, or use a free external tool for more control.
Creating in the Pinterest App (Mobile):
- Start a New Pin: Open the Pinterest app and tap the + icon at the bottom. Select Pin.
- Select Your Photos: Choose multiple photos from your camera roll.
- Create a Video: The app will often prompt you to turn the images into a video. If so, tap to proceed. You can edit the duration of each image, add text, music from Pinterest's library, or stickers.
- Finalize and Upload: Once you’re happy with your video, fill in the title, description, and link, then publish it just like any other Pin.
Creating with an External Tool (like Canva):
For more control over fonts, branding, and transitions, using a free tool like Canva is a great option.
- Choose the Right Format: In Canva, search for "Pinterest Video Pin" to start with the correctly sized template (1000 x 1500 pixels).
- Upload Your Photos: Upload your photos into Canva and drag them onto the pages (slides) in your design.
- Edit and Animate: Arrange your photos in order. You can set the duration for each page (3-5 seconds is a good starting point) and add animated transitions between them. Add text overlays with your brand fonts and choose audio from Canva's library or upload your own.
- Download as MP4: Once your slideshow is complete, download the design as an MP4 video file.
- Upload to Pinterest: On the Pinterest desktop site, go to Create >, Create Pin and upload your MP4 file. The rest of the process is the same: choose a beautiful cover frame, add a title, description, link, and publish!
Method 3: The Timeless Collage Pin
Don't underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned collage. A collage Pin takes multiple photos and combines them into a single, static image. This format gets all the information across in one glance - no swiping or waiting required. It's incredibly effective for idea roundups and packing a lot of visual punch into one Pin.
When to Use a Collage Pin
Collages are ideal for when you want to present variety and choice. They work beautifully for:
- Roundups and List Ideas: "10 Healthy Smoothie Recipes" or "7 Outfits for Your Next Vacation."
- Mood Boards: Curate images to convey a certain aesthetic, like a color palette for a room redesign or a brand's visual identity.
- Gift Guides: Showcase a selection of products for a specific occasion, like "Mother's Day Gift Ideas."
- Displaying Product Sets: Show complementary items together, like a complete skincare routine or a matching desk accessory set.
How to Create an Effective Collage Pin
Your best bet for creating a polished collage is a graphic design tool. Canva is perfect for this.
- Start with a Pinterest Template: Open Canva and select a "Pinterest Pin" template (typically 1000 x 1500 px).
- Use Grids: The easiest way to create a clean-looking collage is to use Canva's "Grids" feature. Go to the "Elements" tab and select a grid layout that matches the number of photos you want to feature.
- Add Your Photos: Drag and drop your uploaded photos into the different segments of the grid. You can double-click on an image to reposition it within its frame.
- Add a Strong Text Overlay: Your collage needs a title that tells the Pinner what they are looking at. Add a large, easy-to-read text overlay like "5 Fall Decor Ideas." Use your brand fonts and colors to stay consistent.
- Brand and Export: Add your logo or website URL subtly at the bottom of the Pin. Download the finished design as a JPG or PNG file.
- Last step: Head over to Pinterest and upload a standard Pin.
Final Thoughts
From telling a sequential story with Carousel Pins and creating dynamic engagement with Video Pin slideshows to packing value into a single glance with Collage Pins, you have multiple tested strategies to showcase more than one photo. Pick the method that best aligns with your content and audience, and start experimenting to see how it boosts interaction and tells a richer brand story.
As you start mastering these different Pin formats, keeping your content calendar organized across multiple platforms can start to feel complicated. To make it easier, we built Postbase with a clean, visual calendar so you can drag and drop your Pins, Reels, and TikToks into a cohesive schedule. We designed it for the modern creator, focusing on reliability and rock-solid support for video formats so you can schedule everything once and trust that it will get published exactly when you planned.
Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.