# Make a then and now video of yourself

> Hug Your Younger Self turns a then-and-now pair into a video: your childhood photo and a photo of you today become a 5 to 10 second MP4 of both ages hugging. Each second costs 30 credits; the first 5-second video is free for a new account, once per network (an IPv4 address or IPv6 /64) every 30 days.

Most then-and-now posts set two photos side by side. Here, the younger you and the you of today meet in one moving scene and share a warm hug.

## At a glance

- **Photos:** Then: a childhood photo. Now: a recent photo of you
- **Price:** 30 credits per second; a 5-second video is 150 credits (about $1.36 to $1.50)
- **Free to try:** First 5-second video free for a new account, once per network (an IPv4 address or IPv6 /64) every 30 days
- **Format:** MP4 at 540p, 720p or 1080p; 9:16 vertical by default, or 1:1 or 16:9

- First 5-second video free
- Old prints welcome
- 5, 8 or 10 seconds

[Make a then and now video](https://hugyouryoungerself.app/create)

## Then and now, in motion

- **More than side by side**: Instead of two still photos next to each other, both versions of you share one scene and one hug.
- **Vertical by default**: A 9:16 video fits phone stories and chats; square and widescreen are one tap away.
- **Keep the old look if you like**: Ask in the prompt to keep the childhood photo's faded colors, or let the scene take a fresh look.

## How to make a then and now video

1. **Then**: Upload a clear childhood photo of you.
2. **Now**: Upload a recent photo of you, from the waist up.
3. **Together**: Describe a place, make the video and download the MP4.

## From a then-and-now post to a video

A then-and-now post usually puts two photos side by side. This video uses the same two photos as references and makes one new scene in which both ages appear together, then the adult kneels and hugs the child.

If you already made a side-by-side picture, you can upload it with One photo of both. The picture becomes the first frame; a scene without a dividing line between the two halves works best.


## Choosing the two photos

The model can only keep what it can see, so a clear face in each photo matters more than anything else.

- A childhood photo where your face is sharp and turned toward the camera
- Scan an old print, or photograph it flat in daylight without glare
- Crop a group photo so the younger you fills most of the frame
- A recent photo of you from the waist up, so there is room to kneel and hug
- Similar light in both photos, so the scene looks like one moment
- No sunglasses, heavy filters or stickers over faces

## An AI recreation, not real footage

The video is generated by an AI video model from your two photos and your words. It is not a recording, and small details, such as hands or the background, may look different from life.

Upload only your own childhood photo, or one you have the right to use with the person's permission, and say the video was made with AI when you share it.


## Simple pricing

- Starter: $19.99 / month, 2,000 credits
- Pro: $49.99 / month, 5,500 credits
- Small: $9.99, 1,000 credits
- Large: $29.99, 3,200 credits

## Then and now video FAQ

### Can I use my then-and-now collage?

Yes, with One photo of both; it becomes the first frame. A picture where both of you stand in one scene works better than a collage split by a line.

### What is the best length for a then and now video?

Five seconds is enough for the hug; 8 or 10 seconds gives it more time. Each extra second costs 30 credits.

### Can I add music or text?

Add music or captions in your editing or sharing app after you download the MP4; the site does not add them.

## Put then and now in one scene

Upload a childhood photo and a photo of you today, and describe the place.

_Last updated 2026-11-09_