With smartphone cameras getting better with every new device, the influx of photos in your camera roll are definitely going up, but that’s the thing, they are just photos – static and boring, and now Google Photos wants to help you shake things up. With the arrival of Veo 3, anyone in the US using Google Photos can now bring their static images to life, for free. If you’ve ever wondered what Grandma would look like in motion or wished your beach trip snaps had a bit more pizzazz, now’s your chance.
Under the Create tab in Google Photos, you’ll spot some new options: “Subtle movements” for a gentle animation, or “I’m feeling lucky” if you want some wild effects. In just a tap, Veo 3 animates your favorite pics into silent four-second videos. Want to see your family dance or a pet showered in confetti? That’s all possible now—no fancy editing skills required.
Veo 3 isn’t completely new, but this latest upgrade makes the videos you create look sharper and more realistic. Earlier, Veo tech was reserved for paying “AI Ultra” subscribers at a whopping $250 a month, but now even free users get a taste. (Please note: free tier users get a limited number of generations each day, and there’s no sound, while paid plans unlock more features.)
Besides basic animation, you can use Veo 3 to turn regular photos into 3D-style animations or make themed video montages with the Highlights feature—just type keywords to create quick, personalized reels from your gallery.
From its beginnings as a silent upgrade for professional plans, Veo 3’s AI video magic is officially available for everyone and this is going to be game changing going forward. It’s a fun, simple way to coax a little extra life out of your photo collection, and as AI tools diversify, who knows what else your camera roll will be able to do in the future?
