TikTok Photo Mode, launched in late 2022, allowed users to post carousels of still images that viewers could swipe through at their own pace. This feature immediately sparked a new wave of meme culture, moving away from short-form video toward narrative-driven swipe stories. Common uses include image dumps set to trending music, bait-and-switch memes where a serious first slide leads to a ridiculous punchline, and hard images compilations. The format is prized for its ability to build suspense, making the reveal on the final slide a powerful tool for humor, relatable storytelling, and viral engagement across the platform. By mimicking the native UI of the app, this meme style creates an immersive experience that keeps users swiping until the very end.