Google Photos now lets you animate your camera roll with Veo 3 for free

Google is adding Veo 3 software capabilities to its video generation feature for Google Photos. US-based users can turn static images into four-second videos by clicking either the “Subtle movements” or, for the more adventurous, the “I’m feeling lucky” options under the Create tab in Google Photos. According to Google spokesperson Michael Marconi, you can get your photo subjects to dance or shower them with confetti.

Veo 3 replaces Veo 2 in Photos, which was rolled out beginning in July. The upgrade to the video generation software will improve the resolution and fidelity of the clips made from static images, Marconi said.

This is the latest release in Google’s push to bring video generation software to its users. At the May I/O event, Google launched the AI video generation model Veo 3 alongside the text-to-video software Flow. In August, users got access to a limited version of the AI-powered video editor Vids, which included an AI-generated avatar that could deliver a message on their behalf.

Veo 3’s most important feature, according to Google’s VP of Gemini Josh Woodward at the I/O event, was the “incredibly realistic” sound generation. At the time, Veo 3 was available under the $250 per month “AI Ultra” plan. Now, free Photos users can bring Veo 3-powered video generation — but not sound — to a limited, unspecified number of their own pictures each day. Ultra and Pro subscribers have access to more generations.

The AI tool is now in the Photos Create tab. In addition to adding motion to still images, users can restyle a photo into a 3D animation, which can then be turned into a video. The highlights feature creates a video montage of photos based on keywords typed into your gallery.