If you’re a creator or business using TikTok to grow an audience or make money, blending photos and videos in one TikTok is a powerful storytelling tool.
It helps you showcase your products, behind-the-scenes moments, testimonials, tutorials, or simply create more engaging content that feels dynamic and personal.
That way, you can put your best foot forward and get more TikTok followers that love your mixed media content.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to make TikToks that combine videos and photos, both within the TikTok app and with online tools.
Plus, we’ll give you five smart content tips to help you turn simple photo-video mashups into posts that get noticed, shared, and monetized.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- You can create TikToks with photos and videos using either in-app tools or third-party video makers like CapCut and Canva.
- Use storytelling, music, and quick edits to keep viewers engaged.
- Always include a call-to-action to maximize your reach and results.
Part 1: How to Make a TikTok with Videos And Pictures Together within the App
TikTok makes it surprisingly easy to mix and match videos and photos in a single post—if you know where to look. There are two main ways to do this using just the app, and we’ll show you both.
Method 1: Use Effects to Make a TikTok with Videos And Pictures
One of the easiest and most creative ways to make a TikTok that includes both photos and video clips is by using TikTok’s built-in effects and templates.
These are designed to help you quickly produce engaging, professional-looking content without advanced editing skills.
TikTok’s Photo Templates allow you to select multiple images and clips, and the app will automatically apply stylish transitions, music, and timing for you.
This is a great option when you want to share a story in a visually engaging way, like a product evolution, a quick tutorial, or a behind-the-scenes highlight reel.
Another powerful tool is the Green Screen effect, which lets you appear in front of your images, which is perfect for commentary, reviews, reaction content, or storytelling formats.
These effects aren’t just for fun: they’re a fast and strategic way to blend different media types, stand out in the feed, and get more views on TikTok.
In the steps below, we’ll walk you through exactly how to use these tools to create your mixed-media TikTok directly inside the app.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the TikTok App and Tap the + Button.
- Select “Templates” at the bottom of the screen. Scroll to find a template that fits your style; many of them let you upload both pictures and short video clips in a set sequence.
- Upload Your Media. Tap the placeholders to upload photos and videos from your camera roll.
- Customize Your TikTok. You can add music, filters, text overlays, and effects to match your brand or story.
- Post It! Once you’re happy, write a compelling caption, add hashtags, and publish.
Pro tip: The “Green Screen” effect also lets you insert photos or screenshots behind a video of yourself talking: perfect for commentary, tutorials, or product reviews.
Method 2: Upload Videos and Pictures Together on TikTok
Don’t want to use a template? You can still manually create a post with a mix of pictures and videos.
Here’s how:
- Tap the + Icon on the Home Screen.
- Select “Upload” in the bottom right.
- Choose Both Photos and Videos from Your Camera Roll. Tap each image or video in the order you want them to appear.
- Tap “Next.” TikTok will automatically stitch them together into one timeline.
- Edit the Clips. Trim your videos, add transitions, text, or voiceovers. You can also rearrange or delete clips before posting.
- Add Audio. Choose trending music or upload your own sounds to make the post pop.
- Publish Your TikTok.
Pro tip: Add short video intros between your photos to boost engagement and make your post feel more dynamic.
Part 2: How to Make a TikTok with Videos And Pictures Together Online
Sometimes editing in the TikTok app can feel limiting, especially if you want more precise control over timing, transitions, or branding. You can use desktop, but you might prefer mobile, especially if you have a lot of media on mobile.
Or, you may just want a more in-depth option that allows you to have different controls over the content you create.
That’s where online TikTok video makers come in.
There are a few different tools that you can use to create TikTok content with mixed media formats, and we’ll give you a rundown of those and how they work below.
Use a Video Maker
Using a third-party editor gives you full creative control. Many of them are free or have generous trial versions.
Popular tools include:
- CapCut (by TikTok itself)
- Canva
- InVideo
- FlexClip
- Adobe Express
Here’s how to use one (let’s take Canva as an example since it’s relatively popular):
- Go to the Canva TikTok editor or open the app.
- Choose a Video Template. You can start from scratch or search “TikTok Video” for a ready-made layout.
- Upload Your Photos and Video Clips.
- Drag and Drop Them into the Timeline.
- Add Transitions, Text, and Music to your liking.
- Download the Finished Video.
- Upload It to TikTok via the App.
Pro tip: Canva and CapCut also let you add your brand logo, captions, and animated elements to make your content stand out.
TikTok Content Tips
Mixing photos and videos is great—but how you use them matters most.
Just uploading visuals isn’t enough to grab attention or drive engagement. To truly stand out on TikTok, your content needs to be intentional, well-structured, and aligned with what your audience cares about.
Not only that, it needs to speak to your brand and your personal values! Connecting with your TikTok followers is vital for long-term results.
Whether you’re a business showcasing products, a creator telling stories, or a brand building community, combining images and video clips gives you more creative freedom.
But that freedom also means more decisions: what to lead with, how long to show a photo, when to switch clips, what music to use, and how to guide viewers to take action.
This section breaks down five smart, easy-to-follow content strategies that go beyond basic visuals.
These tips will help you increase watch time, boost interaction, and turn casual viewers into engaged followers, no matter if you’re creating tutorials, transformations, listicles, or product showcases.
Think of this as your cheat sheet for making mixed-media TikToks that actually convert!
1. Start With a Hook
The first 1–2 seconds are everything. Start with either a powerful image or video clip that instantly grabs attention. This could be:
- A behind-the-scenes teaser
- A before-and-after transformation
- A question in text overlay (like: “What would YOU do in this situation?”)
- “Stich Incoming”
The goal is to stop the scroll.
2. Use a Storytelling Flow
Think about your post like a mini-movie: intro → middle → payoff.
For example:
- Photo: Show the problem or setup
- Video: Explain or react
- Photo/Video Combo: Deliver the solution or result
Creators who use a clear structure tend to get more watch time—and that boosts visibility in the algorithm.
3. Keep It Snappy
TikTok is fast-paced. If you’re combining a photo and a video, aim to switch every 1–3 seconds. Even better? Use transitions like zoom or fade to keep things moving.
Avoid dragging photos for more than 2–3 seconds unless they’re really compelling (like an infographic or quote).
Also be sure that you know the best TikTok posting times so that you can drive organic traffic to your compelling content.
4. Add Music or Voiceovers
Photos are silent. So if you’re including images, make sure the audio keeps people hooked. Use:
- Trending TikTok music (search “viral” or “trending”)
- Voiceovers (great for product storytelling or tutorials)
- Sound effects for humor or drama
Sound brings emotion, so use it to amplify your message. You need to give people a reason to keep viewing static images in video format!
5. Include a Call-to-Action (CTA)
Don’t let your content go to waste. Tell viewers what to do next!
Some simple CTAs:
- “Follow for more tips!”
- “Which one do you like better?”
- “Link in bio for the full story.”
Even on visual-heavy TikToks, a quick text overlay or caption CTA can make a big difference in engagement and conversions.
Final Thoughts: How to Make Videos on TikTok with Photos
Combining photos and videos in one TikTok opens up a world of creative possibilities.
Whether you’re highlighting customer testimonials, telling your origin story, or creating a how-to video, this format brings energy and variety to your feed.
Use TikTok’s built-in tools for quick posts, or level up with online video editors for more polish. Most importantly, think about the story you’re telling—because strong storytelling wins on TikTok every time.
