Make Your Own Music Photo Slideshow

By Jeanne Feldkamp

Thanks to digital cameras, it’s now easier than ever to share snapshots of the latest family birthday or vacation pics. And you probably already use sites like Flickr and Picasa as a convenient way to store and organize your photos. But sometimes, clicking through a long line of still shots just doesn’t capture the energy and excitement of the moment.

That’s where slideshows come in. By adding music, interesting transitions and effects like zoom-ins, you can make slideshows that give you a chance to personalize your albums and give your friends and family a better show.

The best part: Creating a slideshow is a project the whole family can do together. Even the youngest members of the family can have fun choosing the music and the animation effects that make your slideshow unique.

Getting started is simple. Just connect your digital camera to your computer and save your photos as you usually do, then follow these five steps:

1. Choose your slideshow tool There are lots of tools that can help you turn your snapshots into a slick slideshow. Many popular photo organizational tools like Apple’s iPhoto have a slideshow option. Or you can choose a free online tool, like Smilebox or Slide, that lets you build your slideshow on the Web. Each of these tools will guide you through the process. For instance, on Smilebox, click Design Types > Slideshow and follow the three steps to create your slideshow, including using one of its free slideshow templates.
2. Choose photos for your slideshow The first step to building your slideshow is to choose images. Click on the individual photos or albums you want to include, then wait for them to appear in the tool’s window for available photos. Drag and drop them into your photo slideshow tool in the order you want them to appear. For example, in iPhoto, organize photos as you want them to appear in an Album. Then select File > New Album > Slideshow. Now your album is officially a slideshow. From there you can take the next steps to personalize it or add music.
3. Personalize your slideshow After you have your snapshots in order, the real fun begins: choosing the options for how your slideshow will be displayed. Each tool is slightly different, but all of them will let you adjust the length of time each slide is displayed and how it transitions to the next slide. Some tools, like iPhoto, let you create “Ken Burns” zoom-in effects and show captions for each photo. Others, like Slide, let you give your slideshow a theme (for example, film edges and a scratchy texture to make your photos look like they’re from an old 8-track video). Play around until you like what you see.
4. Add your soundtrack Software tools let you pick music from your own computer, and online tools usually offer a selection of music that you can choose from. Some tools, like Smilebox, give you both options. With Apple’s iPhoto, for example, all you have to do is click the music icon within the slideshow window and select songs from your iTunes library. In any case, just make sure you have permission to use the song and have purchased it legally.
5. Share your slideshow Whether you use software or an online tool, the final step is to share your masterpiece. "When you're done personalizing your slideshow with music, themes or frames, you can post it on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, or email a link to your friends and family," explains Tammy Nam, a spokesperson for Slide. That way, everyone you care about can share in the moments that matter most to your family.