How to Add Images to iMovie

This wikiHow teaches you how to add a still image to an iMovie project or media library on your Mac or iPhone/iPad.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On Mac

  1. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 1
    1
    Open iMovie. It's a purple star-shaped app with a white movie camera icon.
  2. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 2
    2
    Click the Media tab. It's at the top of the window.
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  3. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 3
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    Click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  4. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 4
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    Click Import Media….
  5. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 5
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    Click the Import to: drop-down at the top of the window.
  6. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 6
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    Click a destination for the new image. You can save it directly to a project or add it to your iMovie Media Library to use later.
  7. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 7
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    Select the image's location. Use the menu on the left side of the window to select the folder or location where your image(s) are saved.
    • Click a camera in the "CAMERAS" section to capture a new image.
  8. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 8
    8
    Click the image(s) you want to add. They'll be listed on the right side of the window after you've selected the folder or location where the videos are saved.
    • Hold the ⌘ key while you click to select multiple images.
    • Alternatively, click Import All in the lower-right to import all the media from the folder or location you selected.
  9. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 9
    9
    Click Import Selected in the lower-right. The selected image(s) will be imported to the destination you selected in iMovie.
    • To add the image to another project, double-click a project under the Projects tab, then click My Media in the upper-left, and drag the new image down to your project's timeline.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On iPhone/iPad

  1. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 10
    1
    Open the iMovie app. It's a purple app with a white star and a movie camera icon.
  2. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 11
    2
    Tap the Projects tab. It's at the top of the screen.
    • If iMovie opened into a video or different tab, tap the "back" link in the upper-left corner of the screen until you see three tabs at the top of the screen: Video, Projects, and Theater.
  3. Image titled Add Images to iMovie Step 12
    3
    Tap a project to open it.
    • Alternatively, tap ➕ to start a new project. You'll be prompted to select an image or video from your photo library.
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    Tap the round Edit button. It's near the bottom of the screen.
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    Select the location to insert the image. To do so, scroll through your project's timeline along the bottom of the screen.
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    Tap +. It's on the left side of the side of the screen, under or next to the preview of your iMovie project.
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    Tap Photos near the top of the screen.
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    Tap the location of the image. Use the menu to select the album, app, or location where your image(s) are saved.
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    Tap an image. The image you selected will be added to your iMovie project in the location you specified.
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    Is iMovie hard to learn?
    Travis Page
    Travis Page
    Brand & Product Specialist
    Travis Page is the Head of Product at Cinebody. Cinebody is a user-directed video content software company headquartered in Denver, Colorado that empowers brands to create instant, authentic, and engaging video content with anyone on earth. He holds a BS in Finance from the University of Colorado, Denver.
    Travis Page
    Travis Page
    Brand & Product Specialist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    No, iMovie is relatively straightforward compared to other editing and film production programs. It shouldn't take you too long to figure out how to add media and edit it in iMovie. It does have its limitations, though. If you're trying to do anything especially elaborate, you may want to take the time to learn Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere.
  • Question
    What is the shortest amount of time an image can be displayed for?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    0.1 seconds.
  • Question
    How can I get the image to stop moving or zooming? I just want it to stay still, but it has this weird movement to it, it makes the whole thing look cheap and cheesy.
    Sergeantpro
    Sergeantpro
    Community Answer
    Click the image that you want to keep still, and then click the square-like button (third from the left) on top of the preview screen (at the upper right area). Finally, select "Fit."
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About This Article

Travis Page
Co-authored by:
Travis Page
Brand & Product Specialist
This article was co-authored by Travis Page. Travis Page is the Head of Product at Cinebody. Cinebody is a user-directed video content software company headquartered in Denver, Colorado that empowers brands to create instant, authentic, and engaging video content with anyone on earth. He holds a BS in Finance from the University of Colorado, Denver. This article has been viewed 278,119 times.
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Co-authors: 9
Updated: January 2, 2021
Views: 278,119
Categories: IMovie
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