Photo Joy To Your World

Photo Joy To Your World

Families and friends gather this time of year whether celebrating a holiday or taking advantage of time off from work.  From celebrations to traditions, moments are captured in abundance.  Many let go of their inhibitions allowing great photo-ops.  Others finally have time to document the memories.  But the smiles only bloom when the treasures are shared.

Even if you’re busy baking cookies or shoveling snow, you will still have the time to share the memories using these apps.  Spread the joy!

Photo Circles

Sharing pics is simpler than ever before.  Don’t want to take the time to send photos later or harass Uncle Ed for that group shot?

PinWeel (free iOS app) – An easy way to share and collect everyone’s photos in one place for all to see.  Create albums, share only with those you choose and allow others to add pics.  Now your friends and family can share in the fun even if unable to attend an event.  Great for keeping in touch long-distance!  In-app camera with filters but you can also import photos.

Flock (free iOS app) -  Flock uses location technology to scour your photos, determining where you are and the friends you are with, freeing you to use any camera app (location services must be enabled).  It will automatically create an album and notify you there are pics to share.  You still retain control over which shots are added to the album.  It even works retroactively finding those old photos in your roll.  Note: Flock relies on Facebook sign-up and uses this as the basis for your ‘friends’.

Mail Slots

Our world is digital.  We want instant gratification & no take-backs.  But there’s something about going tactile.  Whether it winds up on the fridge, on a desk or even in a drawer, there’s a bit of magic when ‘you’ve got mail.’

Postagram (free iOS or Android app) – Yes I may have mentioned this once or twenty.  What are you waiting for?  You can send great postcards with square ‘punch out’ photos with a message to anyone, anywhere.  Follow them on Facebook or Twitter for free credit offers (Nicky “thephotomomma”, fellow PhotoCruncher blogger, gave you a secret code earlier this week).  $0.99 USA, $1.99 international

Treat Cards (website) – If you’re looking for something a little more posh, this is The One.  These cards are absolutely smashing!  Printed on wonderfully heavy cardstock, the design and photo details are crisp and sharp.  Almost every design is completely customizable so change the greeting, colors, add a photo or three .  Bonus: You can have a ‘gift card’ included.  (They also have a free iOS app but it’s for Birthday Cards only which is a shame because the interface is beautiful.)  Starting at $3.49+shipping; ‘Card Club’ as low as $1.99

THE MASHED POTATO

Get down and dirty with your pics by mashing them into interesting layouts or featuring specific moments.  With these apps the possibilities are endless.

Fuzel Pro ($0.99 iOS app) – Even misfires can be cool when mashed into a grid.  Have some laughs compiling your pics into a collage using this brilliant app.  A bounty of layouts, photo filters, border options, colors & patterns.  Bonus: They have teamed up with MyPublisher so you can send full-bleed large 5.25″ square postcards starting at $1.99 USA/$3.99 International.  Also available in a Free version with limited layouts and options.

PicFrame Artist with Photo Templates Pro ($1.99 iOS app) – The long name may leave you a little tongue-tied but the power of this app will leave you breathless.  Use predefined templates such as Newsletter & Calendar or easily create your own using a grid merge system make for endless possibilities.  Add photos, text and stickers.  Customize font, colors, cell shape & size. (Check out my previous article on this app here.) Also available in a Free version so you can try before you buy.

SAY CHEESE

Don’t be a digital hoarder.  Let those pics shine.  End of the year ‘remember that’, holiday ‘memories’ or New Year ‘until we meet again’ moments; any time is the perfect time to share your life in pictures.

Share yours with us on Instagram by using our #photocruncher tag, Tweet us @photocruncher or share via Facebook.

About Marsha Bezzina

Marsha Bezzina has always enjoyed writing. But photography was mostly relegated to annual trips until the acquisition of her first smartphone, the iPhone 4s. Now this self-declared ‘mental crafter’ is a data hog – capturing moments, hoarding photo apps and editing with abandon. She is @notDelilah on Instagram but had to settle for @notDelilah_ on Twitter. Or check out her site, www.notDelilah.com

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