So, you’ve got a single photo and a news story to turn into a 30-45 second video. Sounds tricky, right? You’re not alone. In the world dominated by Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok, short videos are the currency of attention – and every newsroom wants in.
The good news? You don’t need a full archive of visuals to create something compelling. With the right approach (and a touch of creativity), a single image can be transformed into a dynamic, engaging short video that grabs viewers’ attention and drives clicks.
So, what can you do with just one photo – and how can you turn it into an engaging short video story? Here are our tips on how to make it happen.
See example video made from a single photo: https://youtube.com/shorts/v7Fc7QfJdyE?si=B2r9a...
1. Source more photos or clips
Sometimes the obvious solutions work best:
- Use your own images: If your reporters have additional shots from the event, simply upload them from the disk.
- Related articles: Previous coverage in the same series or topic may already have other usable images.
- Paid stock libraries: Many newsrooms have subscriptions to Getty Images, Reuters, or similar services, where additional photos can be found.
- Free stock platforms: Sites like Pexels, Unsplash, and Pixabay can provide general illustrations. These may not be specific to the story, but great for filling visual gaps.
Pro tip: if you’re using stock images, be sure to label them clearly as “general illustration” so viewers understand they aren’t literal depictions of the event. There’s also software that can integrate stock libraries and automatically generate contextual keywords for your video - more on that in a moment.
2. Use social media as background
Social media posts can be excellent additions to your video. Think of posts from experts, participants, or commentators – they can provide additional context, reinforce key points, or even add credibility to your story. Not only does this add variety to your content, but it also gives viewers a sense of being “in the moment,” seeing reactions and commentary as they happen. You can embed these posts directly into your video, or import images and short clips from them to use as background visuals.
Pro tip: Always make sure you have the author’s permission before using content from social media.
3. Include maps
For geographically specific stories, maps are a simple yet powerful tool. They help viewers immediately understand where the story is happening and add visual interest. Then, in case of a lack of visual content, just pin the location of events on OpenStreetMap or similar platforms with open licenses.
4. Use website screenshots
Did you know that even your own website can be a valuable source of visuals? Here’s how: take a screenshot of the article – title, main image, and a short excerpt – and use it in vertical 9:16 videos. By adding a slow vertical scroll from top to bottom, you can create 3–5 seconds of engaging background content, giving your video more depth and keeping viewers interested.
5. Apply overlays: quotes, numbers, dates
Why not borrow techniques from written articles? Pull out key lines, statistics, or dates and display them as overlays to make your video more dynamic and informative. Examples include:
- Legislative excerpts or policy quotes - highlight important passages from official documents.
- Short expert quotes – include the speaker’s name, role, or brief bio.
- Numbers or percentages – e.g., “4.5%” or “1 in 3 people.”
- Dates or time periods – e.g., “October 17–31, 2025” or “Q3 2025.”
- Event locations – city names, streets, or countries to provide context.
- Milestones or key achievements – “Company reaches 1M users” or “10th anniversary.”
- Headlines or subheadings – pull out punchy lines from the article to emphasize major points.
- Call-to-action text – e.g., “Watch the full report,” “Learn more,” or “Stay tuned.”
These overlays work alongside narration and captions, filling gaps between visuals and reinforcing the story.
6. Make more from the same photo
The truth is, even a single image can provide multiple frames. You can achieve this with simple techniques, such as:
- Cropping: A horizontal image can create 2-3 vertical frames.
- Blurring the background: Keep the main subject sharp while blurring the top and bottom to create depth and cohesion.
- Repeating the image: Use it at the beginning and end of the video to “close” the story visually.
7. Generative AI and photo animation
AI tools can transform static images into captivating, almost lifelike visuals – drifting clouds, swaying leaves, or smooth camera pans that instantly draw the viewer in (and, of course, add variety to your visual content).
While the technology is still developing, the possibilities are genuinely exciting. Imagine adding subtle motion to your videos, making them feel dynamic, immersive, and modern. Experimenting with these tools opens the door to innovation, allowing your newsroom to push creative boundaries and discover entirely new ways to engage audiences.
How Flipatic solves the “one photo” challenge
At Flipatic, we’ve seen firsthand how one photo can become a bottleneck for video creation. Our product team spent hours talking with journalists, video editors, and newsroom managers, plus conducting internal workshops to understand their pain points.
The result? Creating a short news video with just one photo is no longer a problem. We designed Flipatic to fully meet newsroom needs, offering a range of tools that not only fill visual gaps but also support and enhance the story. Flipatic provides:
- Upload of photos and videos (own and stock)
- Integration with social media content
- Maps for geographical context
- Automated screenshots from URLs
- Text overlays: quotes, numbers, dates
- Smart cropping and repeated use of the same image
- Experimental AI elements (photo animation, generative images).
All of the features mentioned above are available in a single, fully integrated tool, so you can focus on storytelling instead of hunting for visuals.
Let’s talk and share experience
We know every newsroom has its own workflow. So, how do you handle short video creation when there’s only one image? We’d love to hear your tips – and share ours.
And if you’re ready to try Flipatic right away, go ahead! Contact us for a personalized demo and discover all the possibilities the tool has to offer.
Main photo by Oscar Chan
