TikTok Is Known For Videos. Can You Take Pictures, Too?

Once TikTok became a top-five social media platform in the late 2010s, it was known worldwide for its trendy and fun video content. References to viral TikTok videos became common in everyday conversation and on other social apps.

You’ve probably never heard people talking about a sensational TikTok picture they came across in their feed, however.

Here’s why: the overwhelming majority of content creators focus on shooting video and not photos. In fact, many TikTok users don’t even realize that it’s possible to take pictures, edit them in the app, and upload them as a TikTok post.

Not only can you turn your photos into TikTok content, though —you can add them into your videos to create even more interesting and compelling productions.

Here’s what you need to know.

How To Take Pictures on TikTok

Those who don’t know that it’s possible to shoot photos on TikTok probably haven’t been paying attention when they open the app to make videos. The option is right in front of their face.

Taking a Picture in TikTok

1. Open the TikTok “Create” screen by tapping the “+” icon at the bottom of the home screen.
2. Instead of choosing the length of the video you want to shoot, look to the right on the scrolling menu above the Record button and click the “PHOTO” option.
3. The red Record button turns white; press it, and your phone’s camera will capture a photo.
4. You now have two choices. You can hit “Your Story” to post the picture to your TikTok Stories, or hit “Next” to reach the Editing screen where you can add filters and effects, and make any other desired edits before uploading the photo to your TikTok profile.

Uploading a Picture in TikTok

This process is almost identical. Rather than tapping the white button to snap a photo, though, hit the “Upload” icon directly to the right of the button. That will open a grid showing all of the content on your camera reel; click the circle at the upper right of the photo you want to use, tap “Next,” and your picture will be ready for editing and posting.

Adding Photos to a TikTok Video

You can also add a picture from your camera reel to a video after you’ve recorded it. First, record your video content as you usually would, and then use one of these methods:

• Tap the “Edit” icon (it looks like a small monitor screen) at the top of the right-hand menu on the Editing screen, and then click the “+” icon on the video timeline. A grid showing all of your saved photos will open; choose the picture you want to use, and it will be added to the timeline where you can do further editing.
• Tap the “Stickers” icon (a smiley face), click the “Upload” icon (a plus sign next to a mountain), and choose a photo to add to the video as a sticker.
• Tap the “Effects” icon (two starbursts), select the Green Screen effect, choose the picture you want to use, and your photo will appear behind your recorded video.

There are other ways to utilize pictures in TikTok posts as well, including turning multiple photos into a fully-produced slide show, but the approaches we’ve described should be enough to get you going. Once you realize how many options you have to showcase pictures on TikTok, you may not be able to stop experimenting and showing off your photographic skills!