How to Choose a Photo Sharing Site for Newbies

Guide Note

This page offers advice on finding how to choose a photo sharing site that's right for your needs. Table of Contents

Introduction

  • You've got a great digital camera and you've used it to take lots of fantastic photos. Now you want to show them to your friends and family. Instead of sending out a massive email with photo attachments, why not share them online? There are lots of easy-to-use photo sharing sites that let you invite people to a specific website to see your photos. Read on to find the perfect service for you and start sharing!

Select a Photo Sharing Website

Want to share your photos? (Photo by Jesse Miksic)
Want to share your photos? (Photo by Jesse Miksic)
  • There are many different online photo sharing services. Each service has its own strengths and weaknesses, though, so pay attention as you choose so you can find the right one for your needs. Think about questions like:
  1. Do you mind paying an annual fee, or would you rather use a free service?
  2. How much storage space do you require?
  3. Do you need to upload photos directly from your cell phone?
  4. Do you want to be able to import photos directly into your blog?
  5. Do you want family and friends to be able to print their own copies of your photos?
  6. Do you want to be able to order merchandise (calendars, mugs, T-shirts, etc.) featuring your photos?
  7. Do you want your photos available for public viewing, or would you prefer more privacy?
  • Also check with your friends and family about which service(s) they use. Using the same service makes sharing photos easier, particularly on sites with a strong social networking component, like Flickr.
  • Read on to learn about the pluses and minuses of a few popular photo-sharing sites.

Amiglia

http://www.amiglia.com/intro/
Amiglia
  • Pros:
    • Family-oriented
    • Family calendar where you can note important events
    • Easy to import photos and places them in an interactive family-tree navigation
    • Can upload photos by email or from a camera phone
    • Can order photo prints and other items
    • Integrates Skype; you can call family members from profile pages
    • Mapping option lets you show where photos taken
  • Cons:
    • Annual fee of $49.95, though this covers your entire family
    • Not for computer neophytes, users comfortable with social networks and services will benefit more from the site
  • Ideal User:

Flickr

http://flickr.com/
Flickr

Google’s Picasa Web

http://picasaweb.google.com/home
Google's Picasa Web
  • Pros:
  • Cons:
  • Ideal User:
    • Tech-savvy users who will appreciate storage options and uploading applications

Kodak Gallery

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Welcome.jsp
Kodak Gallery

Photobucket

http://photobucket.com/
Photobucket

Shutterfly

http://www.shutterfly.com/
Shutterfly

SmugMug

http://www.smugmug.com/
SmugMug

Snapfish

http://www.snapfish.com/
Snapfish

Webshots

http://www.webshots.com/
Webshots
  • Pros:
  • Cons:
    • Ad-heavy
    • Free storage capped at 1,000 photos for new members, although it increases by 100 each month (can upgrade account for $25 per year, which gives you 5,000 photos, increasing by 500 for each month of membership)
  • Ideal User:
    • User who appreciates ease of sharing photos and creating slideshows, and who does not mind restrictions on free storage

Zooomr

http://www.zooomr.com/
Zooomr

Create Your Account

  • Once you've picked out the perfect service for your needs, you're just a few steps away from sharing your photos.
Now you can show the world your pics! (Photo by Kelsey Johnson)
Now you can show the world your pics! (Photo by Kelsey Johnson)
  1. Organize your photos so they're easy to upload. You may want to save them in a file on your desktop or in another easily accessible location.
  2. Go to the photo sharing website and sign up for an account.
    • If you're using a site with public viewing, choose a username you're comfortable making public.
    • If you're using a site with public viewing options, choose a level of sharing you're comfortable with. You don't need to open your photos to public viewing if you don't want to!
    • If you chose a site that has fees, make sure to have your credit card or PayPal information handy.
  3. Upload your photos to your new account.
    • PictureSync lets you upload photos in batches, if you have a lot to upload.
    • Be cautious on public sites. You may not want to upload photos that reveal your home address, birthdate, or other private information.
  4. Invite people to view your photos.
  • Congratulations - you've successfully shared your photos online!

Resources for How to Choose a Photo Sharing Site for Newbies

Photo Sharing Sites

Related Searches

Digital Cameras | Flickr | How to Use Flickr: Basics and Beyond | Amiglia | Google Picasa Web | Kodak Gallery | Photobucket | Shutterfly | SmugMug | Snapfish | Webshots | Zooomr


Have any great tips on How to Choose a Photo Sharing Site for Newbies? Post your thoughts to the discussion board or email them to Sara: sara at mahalo dot com.