To make a before and after slider video, upload two photos taken from the same angle, then ask for the before image full screen, a thin divider that sweeps across in about 2 seconds to reveal the after image, labels that swap as it passes and a slow push in. Hold the after image for 2 seconds at the end.
Real outputs from the Videotto template gallery.
How to make a before and after slider video, step by step
The slider works because it lets the eye compare the exact same spot twice. Same angle, same framing, one line moving. Most of the work happens before you open any editor, when you take the photos.
- Take matching photos. Same spot, same angle, same distance, ideally the same light and the same time of day. Mark where you stood with tape, or take a reference photo on your phone. This matters more than any effect.
- Upload both and say which is which. Name them clearly: "photo 1 is before, photo 2 is after". Ask for them to be lined up if the framing is slightly off.
- Choose the sweep. Left to right is the default. Top to bottom suits tall subjects such as a room, a person or a garden.
- Add a short headline. Four to six words: "Two hours of detailing" or "Week 1 vs week 12". Put it where it will not cover the change.
- Pick the pace and sound. Slow and calm for interiors and skincare, quick and punchy for cleaning, cars and fitness. A sweep of 1.5 to 3 seconds covers both.
- End on the after. Hold the result for about 2 seconds, then add your name, logo or a call to action for the last 1.5.
Before and after slider prompt
Shorter before and after requests
Adapted from the way local businesses and creators brief Otto for transformation posts. The restrictions line matters most: it tells Otto to leave both photos as they are.
- "Slider reveal from top to bottom, before and after labels."
- "Make three before and after pairs in one video, one after the other."
- "Divider goes back and forth twice so people can compare."
- "Add large captions for my voiceover explaining what I did."
- "Keep the photos exactly as they are, no filters."
Make a 9:16 vertical before and after slider video, 8 seconds, from my two uploaded photos. Photo 1 is BEFORE, photo 2 is AFTER. Line them up so the same spot overlaps exactly. HEADLINE: "[four to six words]" at the top, clean bold sans, white with a soft shadow. SEQUENCE: 0 to 2 s: the BEFORE photo full screen, slow push in, small "BEFORE" tag top left. 2 to 4.5 s: a thin white divider with a round handle sweeps left to right, revealing the AFTER photo. The tag flips to "AFTER" as it passes, in accent #2EC4B6. 4.5 to 6.5 s: hold on the AFTER photo, push in continues. 6.5 to 8 s: my logo fades in at the bottom with "[call to action]". SOUND: soft swoosh with the divider, a light ding on the reveal, calm music. RESTRICTIONS: do not change, retouch or enhance either photo, keep the camera smooth, no bouncing.
A worked example: car detailing in 8 seconds
An illustration of the prompt in use, with a made up detailing job rather than a real customer.
Input: two phone photos of a car's driver side seat, both taken from the open door at the same height. Photo 1 shows a stained grey seat, photo 2 the same seat after cleaning. Headline: "3 hours on one seat". Call to action: "Book at the link in bio".
What changes in the prompt: the headline, the call to action and "sweep top to bottom", because a seat is taller than it is wide.
Result:
- 0 to 2 s: stained seat full screen, slow push in, "BEFORE" top left, headline at the top.
- 2 to 4.5 s: the divider drops from top to bottom, the clean seat appears behind it, the tag flips to "AFTER" in teal halfway down.
- 4.5 to 6.5 s: hold on the clean seat while the push in continues.
- 6.5 to 8 s: logo and "Book at the link in bio" fade in at the bottom.
Doing the same in CapCut or Premiere Pro means stacking the two photos, animating a crop or mask on the top one and keyframing a line to follow its edge. That is typically 20 to 40 minutes the first time and 10 or so once you have a template. In Otto it is the prompt plus a check that neither photo was altered.
Before and after video specs by platform
The same video usually goes to three or four places. Export once in 9:16 and make a square or 4:5 version for feeds if you post there.
| Where it goes | Shape and size | Length that suits a slider | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 9:16, 1080x1920 | 7 to 15 s | Caption and buttons over the bottom fifth |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16, 1080x1920 | 7 to 15 s | The grid preview crops to the centre |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16, 1080x1920 | 7 to 15 s | Title overlay at the bottom |
| Instagram or Facebook feed | 4:5, 1080x1350 | 6 to 10 s | Tags near the edges can be cropped |
| Website or Google Business Profile | 1:1 or 16:9 | 6 to 10 s | Often autoplays muted, so labels must carry it |
Before and after slider mistakes
- Photos from different angles. The slider exposes every mismatch. Use a split screen instead if the photos do not line up.
- Editing the after photo. Filters or retouching on the result mislead customers, and in some industries that can break advertising rules. Say "do not change either photo".
- Clients without consent. Faces and homes belong to people. Ask before you post their before and after, and keep the written yes.
- A reveal that is too fast. If the line crosses in half a second, nobody sees the change. Give it at least one and a half.
Other before and after reveal styles
The slider is the classic, but other reveals suit different subjects. Ask for any of these by name. You can also upload two short clips instead of photos and ask for the same wipe between them.
| Reveal | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Slider wipe | Rooms, cars, cleaning, any photo pair with the same framing |
| Split screen | Two photos side by side when the angles do not match |
| Flash cut on a beat | Fitness and hair, fast and punchy |
| Circle reveal | A spot repair, a stain, a detail in a larger photo |
| Back and forth scrub | Subtle changes, where viewers need to compare twice |
If you only have one photo and want it to move, see how to turn a photo into a video. For many photos in a row, the animated photo slideshow guide covers pacing for 10 or more images.
FAQ
How do I take good before and after photos with my phone?
To take good before and after photos with a phone, stand in the exact same spot, hold the phone at the same height and use the same lens, usually the 1x main camera. Shoot at the same time of day or under the same lights, and turn off filters and portrait mode. Taking the after photo while looking at the before photo helps you match the framing.
Are before and after photos allowed in ads?
Before and after photos are allowed in many ads, but some categories have extra rules. Meta's advertising policies restrict before and after images for weight loss and some health and cosmetic claims, and other platforms have similar policies. Check the current rules for your category before you boost a post, and never alter the after photo.
What is the best length for a before and after Reel?
The best length for a before and after Reel is usually 7 to 15 seconds for a single pair. That gives about 2 seconds on the before, 2 for the sweep, 2 on the after and a short call to action. With three pairs in one Reel, 20 to 30 seconds keeps each reveal readable.
How do I line up before and after photos that were taken slightly differently?
To line up before and after photos taken slightly differently, scale and shift one photo until a fixed reference, such as a door frame, a window edge or a car's wheel arch, sits in the same place in both. Small shifts are fine to correct. If the angle itself changed, a split screen will look more honest than a slider.
Make your next video with Otto
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