How To Post A Carousel With Mixed Photos And Videos On Instagram?

Published on May 12th, 2025

Instagram’s carousel feature has evolved significantly, allowing users to share up to 20 photos or videos in a single post.

This flexibility enables content creators, marketers, and everyday users to craft dynamic, engaging posts that tell a story or showcase multiple aspects of an experience.

Whether you’re highlighting a product launch, sharing a tutorial, or documenting an event, mastering the art of mixed media carousels can enhance your content’s impact.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Mixed Media Carousel

1. Initiate a New Post

Open the Instagram app on your device.
Tap the “+” icon located at the bottom center of the screen.
Select “Post” from the options presented.

2. Select Multiple Media

Tap the “Select Multiple” icon (represented by two overlapping squares).
Browse your gallery and select up to 20 photos and videos.
Ensure that the media types (photos and videos) are mixed as desired.

3. Arrange and Edit Your Selection

After selecting your media, tap “Next”.
Arrange the order of your photos and videos by dragging them into your preferred sequence.
Edit each item individually by selecting it, applying filters, adjusting brightness, contrast, and other settings as needed.

4. Finalize and Share

Once satisfied with your edits, tap “Next”.
Write a compelling caption, add relevant hashtags, tag people, and include a location if desired.
Tap “Share” to publish your carousel post.

Best Practices for Mixed Media Carousels

Maintain Consistent Aspect Ratios: While Instagram allows mixing different aspect ratios, maintaining consistency can provide a cleaner, more professional appearance. For instance, if your first image is in portrait mode, subsequent images and videos should ideally match this orientation.
Optimize Media Quality: Ensure all photos and videos are of high quality. Use the recommended dimensions for Instagram posts to prevent cropping or distortion.
Tell a Story: Arrange your media in a way that tells a cohesive story or presents information logically. This approach encourages viewers to swipe through all slides.
Engage Your Audience: Include calls to action in your captions, such as asking questions or encouraging comments, to boost engagement.

Pro Tips for Enhanced Engagement

Start with a Hook: The first slide should grab attention. Use a captivating image or video that piques curiosity.
Use Captions Wisely: Since Instagram allows up to 2,200 characters in captions, use this space to provide context, tell a story, or share insights.
Leverage Hashtags: Include relevant hashtags to increase the discoverability of your post. However, avoid overstuffing; focus on quality and relevance.
Monitor Performance: Use Instagram Insights to track the performance of your carousel posts. Analyze metrics like reach, engagement, and swipe-through rates to understand what resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Creating a carousel post with mixed photos and videos on Instagram is a powerful way to engage your audience and share multifaceted content.

By following the steps outlined above and adhering to best practices, you can craft compelling posts that capture attention and encourage interaction.

Remember to maintain consistency, optimize your media, and tell a cohesive story to maximize the impact of your carousel posts.

For a visual walkthrough of creating Instagram carousel posts, consider watching the following tutorial: