• VIDEO
  • STATUS
  • HUMAN
  • ERROR

How to animate static images with your AI

Connect Luma AI to your agent to turn any still image into a video sequence. Once connected, you just describe the motion you want to see.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I turn a photo into a video using my AI?

Upload your image and tell your agent to animate it. Your AI uses Luma AI to generate the video and then checks the status until the clip is ready. You'll get a dynamic video based on your original still.

Where every motion lands.

The results of your request.

Depending on how you prompt your agent, you'll end up with one of these outcomes.

VIDEO

A finished clip

The AI completes the generation and provides a video file. You get a moving sequence derived from your static image.

STATUS

Processing updates

If the video isn't ready immediately, your agent tracks the progress. You'll know exactly when the rendering finishes.

HUMAN

Refining the motion

The AI can't guess your intent perfectly. You'll need to tweak your descriptions if the movement looks wrong.

ERROR

Failed generations

If the image or prompt violates safety guidelines, the AI will report the failure. You'll have to try a different image.

The workflow

What your AI does when the image arrives.

Your agent handles the heavy lifting of talking to the Luma AI engine.

  1. Send the image

    Your agent takes your static file and sends it to the Luma AI engine to start the animation process.

    lm.image_to_video

  2. Track progress

    Since video takes time to render, your agent periodically checks if the video is finished.

    lm.get_generation

  3. Verify completion

    The agent monitors the generation status to ensure the video is ready for you to view.

    lm.get_generation

  4. Deliver the clip

    Once the status shows as complete, your agent provides the final video output to your chat interface.

    lm.get_generation

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to kick off your first animation.

Starting points

These are basic ideas. Swap out the bracketed text with your specific image descriptions or file names.

Luma AI Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eMuspQUEffZmIoaVTe2vhE8crBGgBQMVGBLmfs0C/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — Luma AI capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "luma-ai-generative-video-creative-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eMuspQUEffZmIoaVTe2vhE8crBGgBQMVGBLmfs0C/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Animate this image of a mountain range so the clouds drift slowly to the right.

  • Take this photo of a coffee cup and make the steam rise in a swirling motion.

  • Turn this portrait into a video where the subject blinks and smiles slightly.

  • Animate this landscape so the water in the lake ripples gently.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect Luma AI once, then ask.

Just click the link to connect. Your credentials stay encrypted and you can start animating immediately in your preferred client.

Connect Luma AI to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI edit existing videos?

    No. This specific toolset is for turning still images into video, not for editing video files.

  • 02

    Does the AI choose the motion for me?

    It can, but it's better if you tell it what to do. If you don't provide a description, it will use its own interpretation of the image.

  • 03

    Can I upload a video to animate it further?

    No. The available tools only support image-to-video workflows.

  • 04

    How long does it take to get the video?

    The AI has to wait for the generation to finish. The agent will use the status tool to let you know when it's done.

  • 05

    Will the AI save my images?

    The AI uses the images to perform the animation, but it doesn't act as a permanent storage gallery for your files.

  • More questions about Luma AI? The Connector page answers them. See everything the Luma AI Connector can do

Connect Luma AI to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more