OVERLAY CROP GUIDE
How to Prepare Photos for a Before-and-After Video
Updated June 19, 2026
A before-and-after video looks professional when the subject stays still and only the intended change appears to move. Matching crops before editing the video is the simplest way to prevent jumps.
Decide the video canvas first
Choose 9:16 for vertical reels and stories, 16:9 for landscape video, or 1:1 for square posts. Exporting photos in the final video ratio avoids additional cropping in the editor.
Align the subject before export
Overlay the first and last frame, reduce opacity, and match fixed landmarks. Add intermediate versions one at a time while using the same reference image.
Use identical pixel dimensions
Video software can scale mismatched images automatically, but this may shift framing or soften one image. Export every frame at the exact same width and height.
Check transitions
Test a short crossfade. If the subject appears to pulse, recheck scale. If it slides, recheck position. If only the intended edit changes, the alignment is ready.
FAQ
Which format should I export?
JPEG is suitable for most photos. PNG is useful when transparency or lossless graphics are important.
Why does the face appear to pulse during a crossfade?
The two images probably use slightly different face scale or camera perspective.
Overlay image crop editor
Upload your original and edited photos, lower the top image opacity, then align facial features or fixed background points. Every exported image uses the same crop ratio and pixel dimensions.
Start cropping