How to Create a Custom Photo Slideshow

Custom photo slideshows are an amazing, intriguing way to share memories and special moments with a variety of people. When creating a photo slideshow there are numerous factors to keep in mind: number of photos, length of the show, type of music, slide effects & transitions, titles & captions, the overall pace of the show, etc.

You can either build a photo slideshow yourself using a free or paid program OR you can have a professional team, like Smooth Photo Scanning Services, create one for you! Learn what goes into creating a custom slideshow here!

How Many Images Should Go In Your Custom Photo Slideshow?

The number of images you choose for your photo slideshow sets the overall length of the show. In order to determine the number of photos there are a few factors to think of:

• What type of event is the slideshow for?
• How do you want to unveil the show?
• What role do you want the slideshow to play in the event?

Do you need a birthday slideshow, anniversary or wedding slideshow, or tribute slideshow? Do you want the slideshow to have an obvious presence – where everyone sits down as the show is announced? Or do you want it to just play in the background?

If you want guests to watch your custom slideshow from start to finish, it is best to keep the show short. This will ensure you keep their attention for the whole show. If your plan is to have the show just playing in the background, you can have as many photos as you want!

# of Photos	Time (Minutes)	# of Songs
50	4-7	1-3
100	8-14	4-6
200	15-25	8-12
300	25-40	12-15

 

We recommend slideshows with 100 photos or less if you want friends and family to sit and be engaged for the entirety of the slideshow. For custom slideshows that will be playing the background of an event, you can either play a short show on repeat or create a longer presentation.

What Music Should You Use for the Slideshow?

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent”
– Victor Hugo

Music will set the tone of your slideshow. Choose music that matches the vibes you want to set for the event. Faster/ upbeat music sets a fun, celebratory tone, whereas slow, calm music will set a somber or sentimental tone.

Typically faster-paced/ upbeat music will hold the attention of guests longer than slower-paced music. If you plan to create a somber or more sentimental tone with your slideshow, consider making it a shorter-length show or having it play in the background.

How Do I Choose Slide Effects, Transitions & Length?

Depending on the photo slideshow software you use, you will have many different effects and transitions to choose from. Once you’ve decided how you want your custom slideshow to impact your event, you’ll want to choose effects and transitions to match the mood. Here are some suggestions on what to use depending on the pace of your show.

Fast-Paced Slideshows:

• Effects
  • 3D movements
  • Mini/complex montages
  • Camera flash effects
  • Individually themed slides
• Transitions
  • Basic, yet quick side-to-side or top-to-bottom
  • Fly-in & Fly-out
  • 3D motions
  • Simulations (camera flash, bouncing, etc.)

Slow Paced Slideshows:

• Effects
  • Basic montages
  • Slow, minimal rotations & slides
  • Framed images
• Transitions
  • Basic side-to-side or top-to-bottom
  • Shapes to full screen
  • Slow slides & pushes

As far as the length of slides goes, that also depends on the tone you want the show to set. Fast-paced shows should have individual slide times of 2.4 – 3 seconds and transition times of 1 – 2 seconds. Slower shows should have slide times of 3 – 4.5 seconds and transitions of 2 – 3.5 seconds. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.

We’ve created slideshows for clients where each photo is displayed for 20-30 seconds at a time. This super slow-paced setup is best to use with slow music and when the show will be played in the background. It can really have an emotional impact on your guests and could be a good option for a funeral slideshow or memorial slideshow.

*If you have mini montages throughout your show or multiple images on a slide you may need to increase the slide time slightly.

Types of Photo Slideshows & Suggestions

While you can make any slideshow at any length or tempo regardless of the occasion, we will share what we’ve typically done in the past!

Birthday Slideshow

Birthday slideshows are usually upbeat, fast-paced, lively shows! We typically like to keep them short and sweet so the whole party can truly enjoy each and every image. Slides can have individual images, mini collages, or even effects like balloons & confetti. Here are some possible songs:

Classic Birthday Songs

• Happy Birthday Song
• Birthday – The Beatles
• Happy Birthday Darlin’- Conway Twitty
• Happy Birthday – Stevie Wonder

Other Party Songs

• Treasure – Bruno Mars
• Got To Give It Up – Marvin Gaye
• Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Deniece Williams
• Celebration – Kool & the Gang
• Happy – Pharrell Williams

Wedding/ Anniversary Slideshow

Wedding and anniversary slideshows are normally a moderate pace – not particularly fast or slow. Some moments are sentimental and some are very upbeat and fun. These shows are either longer in length and play in the background throughout the entirety of the event OR they are short and people watch the show once and then it is played on repeat in the background. Potential songs include:

• I Want To Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
• You Make Me Feel So Young – Frank Sinatra
• I Will Always Love You – Whitney Huston
• I Just Called To Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder
• Crazy In Love – Beyonce
• Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur

Funeral/ Memorial Slideshow

A funeral slideshow or memorial slideshow is typically a medium to long length show at a slow pace. Slides last for a few seconds each at a minimum. Many people will have mini collages throughout the show where those slides stay up for up to 10 seconds. Oftentimes these shows are played in the background on repeat for people to enjoy as they please. Here are some songs people often request for a memorial slideshow:

• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
• Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
• Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
• Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt
• I Will Remember You – Sarah McLachlan

Custom Slideshow Maker Software

There is a variety of photo slideshow maker software floating around the internet these days. Some programs are completely free to use but are very limited in functionality. As you would expect, the paid programs typically have more transition & effects options and give you more room to take a creative license. Usually, you can download a trial version before deciding to buy. Here are some reputable programs you could consider trying: SmileBox, Wondershare, & iSkysoft.

The Takeaways

There are SO many factors that go into creating the perfect custom slideshow. Before you take on this project make sure you know why you are making the show and how you want it to impact your viewers.

Be aware of how many photos you want to use, how many & what kinds of songs you want to play in the background, and how long you’d like the show to be. Then, be sure that your slide transitions and effects resonate with all of the above.

While you can absolutely create a slideshow yourself, we know this is A LOT of work – especially if you don’t have any experience. If you need a photo slideshow, but don’t have the time, patience, or desire to deal with everything mentioned in this article – give Smooth Photo Scanning Services a call! Our custom slideshow service packages even include the price of scanning the photos, slides & negatives you need for the show!