What is Capture Australia?

Capture Australia is a photo digitisation service that scans printed photos and albums using proprietary glare-removal technology. We work with a network of partner shops in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and Brisbane. Customers drop off their albums or loose prints at a local partner shop, and the shop handles the scanning before returning the originals safely.

Where do I get my photos scanned?

Capture Australia operates through partner shops in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and Brisbane. You bring your albums or loose prints to the nearest partner location, leave them for scanning, and collect them once the job is done. Visit captureaus.com/where-to-scan to find your closest shop and its opening hours.

What technology does Capture Australia use to remove glare?

Capture Australia uses a proprietary 8-layer glare-removal process. The scanner captures multiple exposures of each photo through the album plastic sleeve, then processes those layers to strip out glare and reflections. The output is a clear, detailed digital copy, produced without ever removing the photo from the album.

Do my photos need to come out of the album?

No. The scanning technology works through album plastic sleeves and pages, so your photos stay exactly where they are throughout the process. There is no risk of tearing, bending or damaging the originals at any point.

What sizes of photos does Capture Australia scan?

Capture Australia scans printed photos across a wide range of sizes. Small wallet prints, standard 4x6 inch and 5x7 inch photographs, 8x10 portraits and larger prints up to and including large format scanning of framed portraits and artworks, with a capture area of up to 45cm x 70cm. The proprietary scanning equipment is physically installed at each partner shop, built specifically to handle this full size range without removing photos from their sleeves, albums or frames. The same 8-layer glare-removal technology applies at every scale, so the digital output is sharp and consistent whether the print is a pocket-sized snap or a large framed portrait or artwork. Slides, negatives and film require different equipment and some partner shops like Photoland, Camera House and Retromedia offer these services. The wider Capture group covers those formats outside of Australia at capture.com and capture.hk.

How are my digitised photos delivered?

Once scanning is complete, your photos are delivered as high-resolution digital files on a USB drive or via a secure online downloadable link. Confirm the delivery method with your partner shop when you drop off your photos.

Is Capture Australia listed in Google Photos?

Yes. You can find Capture Australia in the Google Photos app import function. In the Google Photos app or website, tap the '+' button, select 'From other places', then choose 'Digitise physical photos' to find us. After we deliver your files via USB or downloadable link, you upload them to your Google Photos account yourself through the app on your own device.

Is the scan quality consistent across all partner shops?

Yes. Every partner shop uses the same Capture Australia proprietary scanning workflow and glare-removal technology, so the output quality is consistent regardless of which location handles the job. Each photo goes through the same multi-layer processing at every shop.

How much does photo scanning cost in Australia?

The cost depends on your situation: the partner shop you use, the size of your collection, whether you need express turnaround, and whether any additional manual steps are involved, such as archival full-page captures or handling unusually fragile prints. Our semi-automated scanning workflow keeps the baseline cost low, because the technology does the heavy lifting on each photo rather than requiring hour-by-hour manual labour. Different partner shops run their own promotions from time to time, and larger collections can qualify for better rates. The best way to get an accurate figure is to contact your nearest partner shop with a rough count of your photos and albums.

How to Create Videos from Your Photos

Create Videos from PhotosTransform your cherished photos into captivating videos with Capture Australia's expert tips and technology. Easy tools to use to turn memories into lasting video tributes.

Why Turn Photos into a Video?

Transforming your photos into a video is one of the most meaningful ways to bring still memories to life. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, honouring a loved one’s legacy, reliving a family holiday, or surprising someone with a thoughtful anniversary gift, photo videos add motion, music, and emotion to every memory. Instead of flipping through albums, you can experience a full story, something more personal, more powerful, and easier to share with everyone who matters. For birthday-specific presentations, our guide on how to make a birthday slideshow covers structure and format in detail.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Make a Video from Photos

Step 1: Choose the Best Photos for Your Video

Start by gathering all the photos you want. They could be in your phone, your computer, or even a shoebox somewhere. If you have old prints, consider reaching out to companies like Capture Australia that specialise in photo digitisation to bring them into digital form easily. We specialise in album scanning, where you don't even need to take the photos out, and our technology scans through plastic (or glass), saving you time and effort to get it done. Just drop your photos off with us, the best photos scanning service, and we'll sort it out, it's really that easy!

Step 2: Pick the Right Tool or Software

Simple options like iMovie (Apple Mac, iPhone, iPad), or Google Photos (all Android, Windows, Mac platforms) are great if you're learning how to make a video from photos on your device. If you want more control, programs like Adobe Premiere Pro (free trial available) offer advanced features. For easy online tools, check out Canva, Clipchamp, or CapCut.

Step 3: Upload and Organise Your Photos

After choosing your tool, import your pictures. Most apps allow drag-and-drop uploads. Carefully arrange them in the order you want your story to unfold. Always double-check your photo sequence to keep the story clear.

Step 4: Add Simple Transitions and Effects

Transitions make your video feel smooth and professional. Stick with simple fades and slide transitions. Clean transitions keep the focus on your story, not the editing.

Step 5: Insert Music or Record a Voiceover

Music and voice make your video feel alive for sure. Choose a song that matches your mood: upbeat for celebrations, soft for sentimental moments. Aim to find royalty-free music to avoid copyright issues, and there are many that are cover songs, and when you share these on social platforms they pass the internal tests to protect artists and creatives. Consider adding a voiceover telling short stories during photo changes makes it even more personal, especially as a gift.

Step 6: Include Text and Captions

Text helps guide your viewers through the story. Add simple captions like names, dates, or short quotes or narration of the photos.

Step 7: Adjust the Timing for a Natural Flow

Timing matters more than you think, so play around with the different options of how long to display each of the photos in the video. Usually, showing each photo for 3 to 5 seconds works best. Syncing your photo changes with music beats adds a professional touch with only a little more effort.

Step 8: Export and Save Your Picture Video

Export your final project carefully. Normally you should choose the MP4 format, which is compatible with nearly every device, your TV, etc.

Best Free Editing Apps to Make a Video with Pictures

iMovie (Apple devices): Easy drag-and-drop editing.
Google Photos: Create simple videos right from your gallery.
Canva: Great for adding graphics and text.
Clipchamp: Free tool with templates and music options.
CapCut: Free mobile friendly editing tool with lots of easy customisation.

Tips for Creating an Amazing Picture Video

Use high-resolution photos for clear, vibrant videos.
Keep your final video under five minutes to hold attention.
Stick to one clear theme or event to avoid confusion.
Match the music tone to the emotion of the photos.

Now you know exactly how to make video from photos without stress, no worries! You don't need fancy tools or years of editing experience. With just good photos, the right steps, and a little creativity, you can create a touching, fun, and memorable video. If you’re starting from printed memories in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra or Brisbane, remember to convert photos to digital first, so nothing gets left behind and you get the best chance to display enhanced and improved photos in your video. Find a Capture partner near you to convert prints to digital first, and then follow these steps. Your photo video will shine every time, whether it's a birthday, a family reunion, or just everyday smiles turned into something unforgettable!

Looking for other ways to bring old photos to life beyond video? Our guide to repurposing old photo albums has 15 more ideas worth trying.

Preserve your memories with Capture Australia and our specialised glare-removal technology, for the best photo scanning service results.

For a step-by-step occasion example, see how to go about creating a memorable wedding slideshow.

A memory video also makes the best Father's Day gift for the dad who wants nothing.