The invention allows for persons to create motion photo videos or MPVs from photographs, video segments, personal narratives or animation by use of templates. Templates are created for specific songs, may be created or further modified by any person. MPVs are novel because they very quickly and inexpensively enable users to select a song and accompanying pre-made template and create a high-quality synchronized custom music video using their own hand-selected visual material. These custom videos can be shared by users with friends or can be published on the Internet and can be easily modified by swapping visual material or updating templates. Additionally, image capture devices may be employed to assist the user in capture, composition, and selection of images to be placed in pre-defined template bins, resulting in instant high-quality director-assisted video creation.