How to Post a Live Photo on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Michael Collins

Want to share a live photo on Instagram? It’s a snap! All you have to do is select the live photo from your camera roll, convert it to a Boomerang, and then post it to your Instagram story. That’s it! Now let’s dive into the details so you can start sharing those lively moments with your followers.

Step by Step Tutorial: Posting a Live Photo on Instagram

Before we begin, let’s clarify what we’re aiming to achieve. Live Photos are a feature on iPhones that capture the moments just before and after you take a picture, creating a short video effect. By following these steps, you’ll be able to share this moving picture on Instagram, where it will play as a Boomerang.

Step 1: Open your Instagram Story

Open your Instagram app and swipe right or tap on the camera icon in the top left corner to access your Instagram Story.

Instagram Stories are a fun way to share moments of your day, and they disappear after 24 hours. So, it’s a perfect place to post something as quick and lively as a Live Photo.

Step 2: Select the Live Photo from your camera roll

Swipe up or tap on the gallery icon in the lower-left corner to open your camera roll. Then, find and select the Live Photo you want to post.

Remember, Live Photos are only available on iPhone 6S and newer models, so if you don’t see any, your device might not support this feature.

Step 3: Convert the Live Photo to a Boomerang

Press and hold on the screen until you see the word "Boomerang" appear. This will convert your Live Photo into a Boomerang.

Boomerangs are short, looping videos that add an interesting dynamic to your photos. They’re perfect for capturing moments like toasts, high-fives, or even your dog’s wagging tail.

Step 4: Edit and share your Boomerang

Now, you can add text, stickers, or any other creative touches to your Boomerang. Once you’re happy with it, tap "Your Story" or "Send To" to share it with your friends or followers.

Editing your Boomerang can make it even more fun and personalized. Play around with the different tools Instagram offers to make your Live Photo stand out.

After completing these steps, your Live Photo will be posted as a Boomerang on your Instagram Story. It will be visible to your followers for 24 hours, looping back and forth for everyone to enjoy. If you’ve set your Instagram Stories settings to save automatically, it will also be saved to your Story Archive.

Tips for Posting a Live Photo on Instagram

  • Make sure your Live Photo has movement at the beginning and end for the best Boomerang effect.
  • Use the many Instagram Story editing tools to make your Boomerang more engaging.
  • Remember that Live Photos take up more space, so ensure you have enough storage on your phone.
  • Ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version to avoid any posting issues.
  • Experiment with different Live Photos to see which ones make the most entertaining Boomerangs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I post a live photo on my Instagram feed, not just my story?

Yes, you can post a Live Photo to your feed by using a third-party app to convert it to a video first.

Live Photos are primarily designed for the Stories feature, but with a little extra effort, you can share them on your feed too. Apps like Lively or Motion Stills can help you convert your Live Photo into a video file that can be shared like any other Instagram post.

Will the sound from my Live Photo be included in the Boomerang?

No, sound is not included when you convert a Live Photo to a Boomerang on Instagram.

Boomerangs are silent, looping videos, so any sound captured in your Live Photo will not be played. This is great for visuals, but if you want to share the audio, you’ll need to look for another method.

How long can a Live Photo be?

A Live Photo captures 1.5 seconds before and after you take the picture, making the total duration 3 seconds.

This short duration is perfect for creating a Boomerang, as it captures just enough movement to create an engaging loop without being too long.

Can I post a Live Photo on Instagram from an Android phone?

No, Live Photos are an iPhone feature, but Android users can post similar content using their phone’s motion photo or similar feature.

While Android doesn’t have the Live Photo feature specifically, many newer models offer similar capabilities that capture short videos around the time a photo is taken. Look into your phone’s camera options to see if you have a comparable feature.

Can I save a Boomerang to my phone after posting it on Instagram?

Yes, you can save a Boomerang to your phone either before or after posting it on Instagram.

Before posting, you’ll see a download icon at the top of the screen. Tap it to save your Boomerang. After posting, you can go to your Story, view the Boomerang, and use the three dots menu to save it.

Summary

  1. Open your Instagram Story
  2. Select the Live Photo from your camera roll
  3. Convert the Live Photo to a Boomerang
  4. Edit and share your Boomerang

Conclusion

Posting a live photo on Instagram is a fantastic way to bring your stories to life. By converting your Live Photos into Boomerangs, you create a dynamic and engaging experience for your followers. With the ease of posting and the added bonus of making your content more interactive, it’s no wonder why many users enjoy this feature.

Remember, while the process is straightforward, there’s plenty of room for creativity! Play around with different Live Photos and editing tools to make your Boomerang uniquely yours. And don’t forget to keep your Instagram app up to date to ensure a smooth posting experience.

Whether you’re capturing a hilarious moment with friends or a stunning scene from nature, sharing a live photo on Instagram can make that moment even more memorable. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch as your stories come to life in a whole new way!