Google Photos upgrades its image-to-video feature with Veo 3

Google Photos is set to elevate the user experience with the introduction of its latest video-generation model, Veo 3. This innovative feature will soon allow users in the U.S. to convert their still images into captivating video clips, accessible through the app's 'Create' tab. Previously, Google Photos offered a 'Photo to video' feature, but the arrival of Veo 3 promises to enhance this functionality by delivering videos of superior quality. This rollout is part of Google's broader initiative to integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies into its consumer products. Notably, Google Photos boasted over 1.5 billion monthly active users as of May 2025. First unveiled at the I/O developer conference in May, Veo 3 was initially introduced in the Gemini app in July, where it became part of the AI Ultra and AI Pro subscription plans. These subscriptions allowed users to generate up to three videos a day, each marked with both visible and invisible watermarks indicating their AI-generated nature. With the new capabilities in Google Photos, users can breathe life into their cherished memories or even animate vintage photographs. The existing image-to-video feature, powered by the earlier Veo 2 model, enabled users to choose a photo and select between two prompts: 'subtle movements' or an exciting surprise animation via an 'I’m feeling lucky' button. This process would produce a six-second video clip ready for sharing. The updated photo-to-video option is part of the new Create hub within Google Photos, where users can discover a variety of AI-powered creative tools. Alongside Veo 3, features include a remix option for altering photo styles, collage-making, gallery montages, the creation of dynamic 3D 'cinematic' images, and tools for crafting GIFs from their pictures.