How to Make Reels on Instagram with Photos

Instagram reels capture more attention than just photos and it is super easy. Head of Instagram recently shared how his ranking algorithm works but more on that later. Here’s how to make reels on instagram with photos

1. Open Instagram:
   • Launch the Instagram app on your phone and log in to your account.
2. Access the Reels Camera:
   • Tap the “+” icon at the bottom center of the screen or swipe right to open the camera.
   • Select “Reel” at the bottom of the screen.
3. Upload Photos:
   • On the left side of the screen, tap the gallery icon (a square image with mountains) to access your phone’s photo library.
   • Select the photos you want to include in your Reel. You can choose multiple photos by tapping on them.
4. Edit Your Reel:
   • Once your photos are uploaded, you can adjust the duration each photo appears by dragging the slider at the bottom.
   • Add transitions, effects, or stickers by tapping the respective icons on the left side of the screen.
5. Add Music or Audio:
   • Tap the music note icon to add a song or audio clip to your Reel.
   • You can search for a specific track or browse Instagram’s music library.
6. Customize Your Reel:
   • Use the text tool to add captions or text overlays.
   • Apply filters or adjust the speed of your Reel using the options on the left side.
7. Preview and Finalize:
   • Tap the play button to preview your Reel.
   • Make any necessary adjustments before proceeding.
8. Share Your Reel:
   • Tap “Next” to add a caption, hashtags, and tag people if desired.
   • Choose whether to share your Reel to your feed, Stories, or just the Reels tab.
   • Tap “Share” to publish your Reel.

Understanding Instagram Reels Ranking

For official guidance, watch Instagram head Adam Mosseri explain how Reels ranking works (Jan 23, 2025). Key takeaways include:

• No watermarks: Avoid content with watermarks (e.g., TikTok logos).
• Add audio: Use music or voiceovers, especially for photo-based Reels.
• Keep videos under 3 minutes: Shorter Reels (under 90 seconds) perform best.
• Post original content: Prioritize fresh, creative ideas over reposts.
• Check Account Status: Go to Profile Settings → Account Status to ensure your account is in good standing.

By following these steps, you can create eye-catching Instagram Reels using your favorite photos!

I am the founder of HardToSkip, which is a platform that generates Instagram Reels just by pasting text. It uses stock footage to create original, non-ai videos with a voicover and animated captions.