How to Add a Picture to a Video on Your Computer

The fastest way to add a picture to your video

Most video editing software lets you drop a picture onto your timeline the same way you'd add a video clip — drag it from your file folder and place it where you want it. The picture will sit on top of your video for as long as you leave it there, or you can shorten it to a few seconds. If you're using Windows Photos (built into Windows 10 and 11), iMovie (Mac), or DaVinci Resolve (free on Windows and Mac), you can have a picture in your video within two minutes.

The steps are nearly identical across all three: import your video, import your picture, drag the picture onto the timeline above your video, then adjust how long it stays on screen. If you want the picture to fade in or out, or to move across the screen, you'll add that effect after the picture is placed — but that's optional.

Key Takeaways

Pictures go on a separate layer above your video on the timeline, so they appear on top of the footage rather than replacing it.
You control how long a picture stays visible by dragging its edges on the timeline — shorter drag means it disappears faster.
Windows Photos and iMovie are free and built into your computer; DaVinci Resolve is free to download and works on both Windows and Mac.
Fade effects, movement, and transparency are optional additions you can make after the picture is placed.
Export your finished video as an MP4 file so it plays on any device or platform.

Adding a picture in Windows Photos

Open Windows Photos and select Create at the top, then choose Custom video with music. Click New video project, name your project, and click Create. You'll see an empty timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Click the Add button (a plus sign) and choose From this PC. Navigate to your video file, select it, and click Open. Your video will appear on the timeline. Now click Add again, go to From this PC, and select your picture file. The picture will land on the timeline — if it appears below your video instead of above it, drag it upward so it sits on a layer above the video. Drag the right edge of the picture inward to make it shorter (so it disappears faster) or outward to make it longer.

When you're done, click Finish video at the top right, choose your video quality (1080p is standard), and click Export. Windows will save your finished video as an MP4 file.

Adding a picture in iMovie (Mac)

Open iMovie and click File > New Movie. Choose a theme or click No Theme if you want a plain video. Click Create.

Drag your video file from Finder into the timeline at the bottom of the iMovie window. You'll see it appear as a clip. Now drag your picture file into the timeline — iMovie will automatically place it above the video on a separate layer. If the picture is too long, position your cursor at the right edge of the picture on the timeline until you see a resize arrow, then drag inward to shorten it.

To export, click File > Share > File. Choose a resolution (1080p HD is standard), and iMovie will save your video as an MP4.

Adding a picture in DaVinci Resolve (Windows or Mac)

Download DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design's website (it's free). Open the program and click New Project. Name your project and click Create.

You'll see the Edit tab at the top. Click the Media Pool panel on the left and click the folder icon to import your video file. Double-click your video to add it to the timeline at the bottom. Now import your picture the same way — click the folder icon, select your picture, and double-click it. Drag the picture from the Media Pool onto the timeline, placing it on a layer above your video. Drag the right edge of the picture inward to shorten how long it appears.

To export, click File > Export > Media. Choose MP4 as your format and click Export. DaVinci will save your finished video.

Making the picture fade in or out

All three programs let you add a fade effect so the picture gradually appears or disappears instead of popping on and off the screen. In Windows Photos, right-click the picture on the timeline and look for Fade in or Fade out options. In iMovie, click the picture on the timeline, then click the Fade icon in the toolbar above. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the picture and choose Fade In or Fade Out.

The fade usually lasts about one second by default. If you want it longer or shorter, look for a fade duration setting in the same menu where you turned the fade on.

Moving or resizing the picture on screen

If you want the picture to move across the screen or appear smaller than full-screen, you'll use the Transform or Motion tools. In Windows Photos, click the picture on the timeline and look for a Motion button in the toolbar. In iMovie, click the picture and use the Crop and Ken Burns buttons in the toolbar. In DaVinci Resolve, click the picture on the timeline, then use the Inspector panel on the right to adjust position and scale.

These tools let you make the picture smaller, move it to a corner, or create a slow zoom effect. Start with the simplest adjustment — making it smaller — by dragging a corner handle inward. Once you're comfortable with that, experiment with movement.

Troubleshooting common problems

The picture doesn't appear on top of the video. Make sure the picture is on a layer above the video on the timeline. If it's below, drag it upward. Some programs call this the "V2" layer or "upper track" — any layer above your main video will work.

The picture is too long or too short. Drag the right edge of the picture on the timeline to adjust its length. Dragging inward makes it shorter; dragging outward makes it longer. You can make it as short as one frame (a fraction of a second) or as long as your entire video.

The picture looks blurry or pixelated. This usually means your picture file is very small (low resolution). Use a picture that's at least 1920 pixels wide if possible. If you only have a small picture, it will look blurry when enlarged to fill the screen.

The video won't export. Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive (at least a few gigabytes). Close other programs to free up memory. If the export still fails, try exporting at a lower resolution (720p instead of 1080p).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add multiple pictures to the same video?

Yes. Drag each picture onto the timeline in the order you want them to appear. You can place them one after another so they show in sequence, or overlap them so they appear at the same time (one on top of the other). Adjust the length of each picture independently by dragging its edges.

What picture file types work?

JPG, PNG, and BMP files work in all three programs. Some programs also accept GIF, TIFF, and WebP. If your picture file won't import, try converting it to JPG using an online converter or your computer's built-in image editor.

Can I make the picture transparent so I see the video through it?

Yes, but the method varies. In Windows Photos and iMovie, look for an Opacity slider after you click the picture. In DaVinci Resolve, use the Opacity slider in the Inspector panel on the right. Lowering opacity makes the picture see-through.

How do I add text on top of the picture?

All three programs have a text tool. In Windows Photos, click Add and choose Text. In iMovie, click Add and select Title. In DaVinci Resolve, click the Fusion tab and use the text tool. Type your text and position it on the timeline where you want it to appear.

What's the best file format to save my finished video?

MP4 is the standard format that plays on any device and platform. All three programs can export as MP4. If you need a different format, check your program's export menu — most offer MOV, AVI, and WebM as alternatives.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.