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The Ultimate Guide to Family Photography

by Dima

From newborn shoots to graduations, there are countless milestones that can be used as an event for family portraits. That said, family photography doesn’t necessarily just need to be reserved for significant moments and any day can be used for a posed portrait session. To help capture those special times together and preserve them for generations to come, here’s an overview of all the fundamentals of family photography.

What Is Family Photography?

In short, family photography refers to any event where you photograph a family together. The photos can be a mixture of posed portraits or spontaneous interactions caught on camera. 

There is also no limit as to how many family members can be present and this type of photo shoot can also be used for bigger groups to accommodate extended family like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Here are a few popular examples of events where a family photographer might be needed:

  • Maternity shoots
  • Births
  • First day of school
  • Religious festivals like Christmas
  • Birthdays
  • Graduations
  • Weddings
  • Family reunions

Larger groups, in particular, can make it more challenging as you’ll need to be able to accommodate various needs. For example, for photo sessions that include grandparents, accessibility might become an issue. On the other end of the spectrum, newborn photo sessions will probably need to be planned around sleeping and feeding schedules.

Best Locations for Family Photo Shoots

Just like with other types of photoshoots, location is a key consideration. The challenge with family photography is that you might not always have a choice. For example, if it’s a wedding, the shoot will most likely be limited to the church or reception venue booked months in advance. 

Even if the venue has not been decided yet, it’s best practice to ask your client – the family – for recommendations. The chances are good that they already have a venue in mind that’s special to them. 

If they’re open to ideas, you can suggest taking it at their home or visiting you at your studio. Both these locations remain firm favorites. 

To help you identify a possible location, keep in mind these guidelines:

  • The location should be big enough to accommodate the group. If you need to photograph an extended family, a two-seater sofa won’t work. 
  • If the family wants to include children, the venue should be kid-friendly. Nowadays, it’s also common practice for families to include their pets. If this is the case, you’ll also need to find out beforehand if pets are allowed at the venue. 
  • It should be easy to access. Most family photoshoots involve young or older family members who might have difficulty walking long distances, climbing stairs, or standing on uneven terrain. 
  • The location should allow you to capture various portrait styles and poses.

Ideally, you should visit the venue beforehand. If this isn’t possible, be sure to ask the family or venue owner to tell you more about the location before the shoot date. 

What Should Family Members Wear for a Photoshoot?

In addition to the location, the wardrobe must also be sorted out beforehand. While it’s the family’s final decision as to what they want to wear, you can offer some guidelines as the photographer. 

For group shoots, the biggest consideration is the color scheme. Coordinating colors is always a good idea. This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone needs to wear the same, but you can also suggest that they wear colors that work well together, like pastels. 

If this isn’t possible, the next best thing is to double-check that the colors don’t completely mismatch. This applies to patterns, too. A red floral dress and a pink striped T-shirt can be too much and distracting from the primary object —  the beautiful family. 

If young children will be included, you can even suggest that the kids dress up in costumes. Not all parents will like this idea, but for those that do, it can help to get the kids more at ease in front of the camera and unfamiliar face holding it. 

Above all else, though, is that they should feel comfortable in whatever outfit they wear. This doesn’t mean they must rock up in their tracksuit pants, but if the outfit makes them feel self-conscious, it will show in the family pics.

Three Top Tips for Taking Good Family Photos

Photographing products or a landscape differs quite significantly from photographing a family unit. Here are key tips to keep in mind to help you apply your skills to this genre.

1. Use an assistant

A family shoot typically takes longer. You’ll need time for the family members to get comfortable in front of the lens (especially when working with younger subjects). You’ll also need to change positions and poses which can be a time-consuming activity when you’re photographing larger groups. 

Hiring a photographic assistant for a family shoot is strongly recommended. Your assistant will be able to get the group together and help everyone assume the correct positions.

2. Keep it fun

As your subjects are inexperienced models, they’ll need extra help to get comfortable in front of the camera. One way to do that is to keep the session fun for everyone.

Your energy will decide the atmosphere’s tone and the day’s success, but you can also use props to add that fantastical element. For example, when the shoot will involve kids, use a plush toy. Not only will this help them relax in front of the camera, but it can also guide them as to where they need to focus. Props can also be used for other family photo shoots where adding a playful element is part of the brief.

3. Let them take the lead at times

Adding to the previous tip, it might be necessary to let your subjects sometimes take the lead. This is especially important when you photograph children. You want to photograph their natural smiles. By giving the family members the chance to direct the photoshoot, you’ll create those golden moments when they can be their natural selves. It’s typically at this time when their natural smiles also appear.

Essential Family Photography Equipment to Pack for Better Portraits

The results that a digital SLR camera will create are far superior to any smartphone camera. After all, families have many pics snapped with their smartphones, and the appeal of hiring a professional photographer is to have better quality photos. 

If you’ll be concentrating mostly on newborn photography, it’s key that the camera is geared for low-light settings. Newborns’ eyes are more sensitive to light, so you’ll need to rely less on artificial lighting. 

In addition to a reputable digital SLR camera, you’ll also need the following equipment and accessories:

  • A 35mm lens
  • A 24-70mm lens
  • An external flash
  • Reflectors
  • A tripod

While all this equipment will be important, a tripod is essential. Not only will it help to reduce camera shake, but it also gives you more freedom to help your family members with their poses. 

After you’ve set up the composition, you can quickly adjust a family member’s pose if needed. Without a tripod, having your shot and all the members set up correctly simultaneously becomes very challenging. 

Best Camera for Family Portrait Photography

As for the best camera for family portraits, several makes and models will deliver great results. Needless to say, what you can afford to spend will play a key factor. If you’re on a tight budget, check out the Panasonic LUMIX ZS80. It’s a solid, all-in-one superzoom camera with a good face detection and autofocus system. 

If you’re still relatively new to the profession, your skill set will also guide your camera choice. In this case, you can, for example, look at the Canon EOS Rebel T7 Digital SLR Camera. Not only is it user-friendly, but it’s also reasonably priced compared to other camera models.  

Then, for professionals, there’s the Sony Alpha a9 II Full-frame mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. Its autofocus system is virtually flawless and will make shooting in various lighting settings much easier. Plus, its setup is also easy, and you’ll only have to change your settings occasionally. 

That said, always remember that each camera has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, a certain camera might take great photos but lack the same video quality. While price will always play a role, it’s only one of several factors. Just because you bought the most expensive camera does not guarantee you’ll take the best photos. 

Rules for Black and White Portrait Photography

If you aim to capture a personal family portrait, opting for black-and-white photography can be a good path. It’s a timeless favorite. 

However, to get the best results, there are a few considerations. You won’t be able to use color for dramatic effect. Instead, you can rely on form, texture, light, and contrast. By experimenting with these elements, you can create powerful photos.

Best Poses for Photographing Families

Most of the time, you’ll find that a family wants a combination of staged and more natural photos. If the family wants to go this route, it’s best to start with the staged photos first. 

This is especially helpful if you’re working with kids. Not only will they most likely lose focus towards the end, which will make it harder for them to look in a specific direction for those staged family photos, but it will also give them time to become more comfortable in front of the camera for those more candid shots. 

The location will also determine which type of poses will work better. You’ll typically find yourself switching between photos where everyone stands, sits, or reclining on the floor. You can also combine these poses by, for example, letting the parents sit while the kids stand. This way, everyone will more or less be at the same level, making it easier for the viewers to focus. Alternatively, you can let the parents sit on the floor, with the kids playing at their feet. 

All in all, the best approach is to capture a few different poses on the day.

Wrapping Things Up

The best family photographs manage to capture the love and warmth shared. This becomes more difficult if the members feel rigid, which will happen if the environment isn’t conducive. In addition to selecting the right location, spend some time with the family before taking photos. This will help them to feel more relaxed in front of the camera. 

That said, even if you spent extra time before the shoot getting everyone and everything set up correctly, there could be unforeseen circumstances during the shoot. This is especially true of working with kids or pets. When this happens, be willing to adapt and keep calm. Flexibility is a key skill that professional family photographers should develop.

FAQ

How much should you spend on family photography?

Professional family photographers can charge between $100 and $400 per hour. You’ll typically find that family photographers in urban areas charge more. Also, remember that prints and extras like a printed photo album will cost extra.

Are professional family photos worth it?

The short answer is absolutely. There are a few reasons why. Firstly, they can capture special family moments, which are difficult to do if one of the family members is responsible for taking the photos. Secondly, while smartphones can capture great-quality photos, when you hire a professional family photographer, you’ll also get access to state-of-the-art equipment and photo editing software. Lastly, and this is probably the most obvious reason, family photos capture family members and key milestones in digital format to be enjoyed and treasured forever. 

How long should family photos take?

A family photography session typically takes 45 minutes and an hour and a half. Several factors will impact the duration, including the number of family members that need to be photographed, the light conditions, and the mood of individual family members (this is especially true if you’ll be photographing young kids).

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Reviews

What is the Best photo scanning service?

by Dima

Not only can time cause memories to fade, but so too the photos meant to capture these special moments forever. Luckily, technological advances have presented a solution — photo scanning.

Sure, you can probably use your three-in-one printer, scanner and copier that you use at home, but it’s time-consuming and, for the best results, some manual edits will be needed. The best option — using one of the following 10 leading photo scanning services instead.

1. ScanMyPhotos.com

The story of ScanMyPhotos dates back as far as 1990. They initially started out as a boutique retail photo center that offers cost-effective photo processing services to their local market.

Thanks to the advances in tech, they spotted a gap in the market and started to focus on scanning services. Not only that, but they also shifted their company online, helping them to serve an international audience too.

One of their key features is that they can handle bulk photo scanning for various formats including film negatives and 35mm slide scanning. That being said, their high-speed, same-day scanning is only available for scanning prints.

The process is very straightforward. You simply send your photos to them and their pros at their facility in California will scan it into a JPEG file and send you your digital download via email.

Mylio has partnered with ScanMyPhotos to offer Mylio customers up to 50% discount on services provided by ScanMyPhotos. When you subscribe to Mylio Photos+, you’ll get a unique discount code that can save you hundreds of dollars on scanning services from the industry leader – ScanMyPhotos.

 Other key services include:

  • Photo restoration
  • VHS and film transfer

2. ScanCafe

ScanCafe’s photo scanning service has already saved millions of memories in only a few years. Like with most good brands, it all started from humble beginnings when one of the co-founders offered to scan in all his late grandfather’s old photos. 

Fast-forward a couple of years and all the processing has been moved to their sophisticated facility in Indianapolis where everything gets completed now. They chose this location so that they could easily serve customers from all over the United States.

In addition to offering a convenient, central location, they’re on a mission to offer quality and trustworthiness. Human editors have the final say about key choices like color and they’ve put in place several security measures to ensure all your precious memories remain safe.

To date, they’ve received hundreds of online reviews. Many have highlighted their reasonably priced services as one of the main reasons for choosing them. Happy customers have also praised them for making the process easy and less daunting.

Other key services include:

  • Video scanning
  • Home movie transfers
  • Audio scanning
  • Photo restoration

3. Memories Renewed

Founded in 2005, Memories Renewed offers professional media digitization services to help preserve analog formats. They have a team of digital archivists that will scan photos in any size or condition. 

While you don’t have to organize your photos in a specific order, they suggest that you group them into a zippered plastic bag. However, if your photos are currently in a photo album, you can send it to them as is. They also accept physical photo albums and will remove the photos to be scanned carefully and replace all of the photos again. If it’s a scrapbook with the photos glued to the page, no problem. They can scan the full pages individually to preserve the original page layout.

Then, to ensure high-quality results, photos get custom edited individually for key elements like color and contrast correction, cropping, and orientation. Plus, as part of a final measure, a senior editor reviews all the images for quality. That said, if you’re equipped to take care of the editing yourself, they also offer a discounted scan-only option.

They’ve received dozens of five-star online reviews. Customers have praised them for their quick turnaround time, quality, and customer service.

Other key services include:

  • Memorabilia scanning
  • Slide scanning
  • Negative scanning
  • Film scanning
  • Videotape transfer

4. EverPresent

EverPresent might be a family-run business, but that didn’t stop them from becoming one of the biggest photo scanning services. Their team of over 70 employees work from more than 40 locations all across the US. To date, they’ve served 50,000+ clients and on average they scan millions of photos each year. Not only have they’ve worked with thousands of clients, but their photo scanning services have also been featured by leading publications like The Boston Globe and The New York Times.

Their philosophy — photos should be enjoyed and shared daily.

Before undertaking any new scanning project, they’ll first consult with you telephonically to understand your requirements. On top of scanning your photos, they can also create custom labels for better organization (and you don’t have to organize any of your photos before sending them). You can either use mail order or drop off your photos at one of their dozens of satellite locations. If you’re located in the Northeast, you also have the convenient option of taking advantage of a home pickup service.

They’ve received over 1,000 online reviews already. Their accuracy and on-time delivery are two features that stand out.

Other key services include:

  • Slide scanning
  • Video transfer
  • Audio transfer

5. ScanDigital

ScanDigital has scanned over 50 million images into a digital format that will last forever. Everything gets completed by hand — both the scanning as well as the editing.

One of the advantages of working with ScanDigital is that they’ll take great care to respect the way you’ve organized your photos. After completing the scans, they’ll return all your hard copies in the same way that they’ve received it. What’s more, they’ll categorize your new digital copies in the same manner. For example, if your photos came in labeled photo albums, they’ll make sure to use the same labels when they create your digital folders. This makes them a great choice if you’ve spent hours organizing your physical photos already.

However, if the photos that you wish to be scanned are a disorganized mess, they can still help.

Another plus point of using ScanDigital is that you can select between premium and expert resolution. And, if you have a larger print that needs to be scanned, they can do that too at an extra cost.

Other key services include:

  • Negative scanning
  • Slides scanning
  • Special media digital transfers

6. iMemories

Named by Fast Company as one of the most innovative companies in the world, iMemories is one of the leading names if you have any old photos that you need to digitize. They’re trusted by more than one million customers and have helped to digitize millions of assets.

They have a team of 200+ digital restoration specialists boasting nearly 20 years of experience. All photos get scanned at their new top-of-the-line facility in Arizona. The reason why they’ve picked this location is because it’s not prone to natural disasters. That’s how much they care about keeping your memories safe.

Then, to help keep your precious photos safe on its journey, it also includes a safe shipping kit. Using this kit, you can send your photos by yourself knowing that they have been packed correctly.

Other formats that they can digitize include:

  • Video tapes
  • Movie films
  • Photo slides
  • Photo negatives

7. Memory Fortress

Similarly to some of the other service providers in this niche, Memory Fortress originated from humble beginnings. With simply an old box of photos and an entry-level flatbed scanner, they got to work. Fast-forward more than a decade and they’ve upgraded to a facility in Georgia from where they serve all the US states.

Whether you want regular resolution or need a higher resolution, they can offer both for loose, individual photos as well as photo albums and return them in the same way that they have received them. As for delivery format, they offer several options including USB flash drives, external hard drives, DVDs, or cloud storage.

What’s more, included in their very low photo scanning pricing are services like color correction, cropping, image rotation, and sharpening. As for organizing your files, they’ll also create a folder system and customize the file names.

Other key services include:

  • Video and movie film transfer
  • Scrapbook scanning

8. Digital Memories

Digital Memories is a small, family-owned service provider that’s been transforming traditional media collections into digital format for over two decades. All their services are done in-house. 

While they’re based in Ohio, they serve customers from all over the United States. Whether it’s for your personal family collection or you’re a professional photographer, they offer a solution to match your needs. From loose, individual photos to photo albums to slides and film, they can digitize various popular formats. They also offer a special service for your special snapshots.

You simply complete the order from, prepare your material to be scanned for shipment, and send it. You’ll receive an email notification informing you when your shipment has been received and the order has started. Your hard-copy photos will be shipped back to you via FedEx Express.

Not only can you enjoy peace of mind knowing that the process is straightforward, but also that your photos will be scanned using state-of-the-art equipment. Plus, all optimizations and color adjustments are done manually.

One of their unique selling propositions is that unlike most of the other service providers, they also include a money-back guarantee. Plus, if you have a time-sensitive project, they do have a rushed service.

Other key services include:

  • Photo restoration
  • Online backup and sharing
  • DVD slideshows

9. Legacybox

For family photographs, you can check out Legacybox. Trusted by more than 1 million families, their team boasts 10+ years experience.

The process is very straightforward. You add custom barcodes to all your items, fill your Legacybox and then simply send it to them. Their team will digitize each item manually and keep you up to speed regarding the process. The digital versions will be sent to you via a secure online like or a USB flash drive and the originals shipped back to you.

They’ve received hundreds of online reviews. Their clear shipping instructions is one of the traits that have impressed customers the most. However, when it comes to customer service, some customers feel that there is slight room for improvement.

Other formats that they can digitize include:

  • Video tapes
  • Films

10. DiJiFi

DiJiFi is a digitizing company that was started in 2007. While they’re based in New York City, they serve customers from all over the world. From families to artists to government agencies, various clients have turned to their digital conversion services.

Their philosophy — do it right the first time.

They can scan any type of photo up to more or less 14 by 20 inches. What’s more, they can also offer various resolutions. For example, if you opt for full resolution, they’ll get all the useful details from the photo and future-proof the scans too. This way, it will display the best fidelity on the next generation of digital display.

All in all, what makes them one of the best photo scanning services is that they managed to find the right balance between quality and price. They’ve invested a lot of time and energy into testing various scanners to find the one that can offer the best quality without making the service too expensive.

Other key services include:

  • Large format scanning
  • Document scanning and shredding
  • Film, video, and audio digitizing

FAQ

What should you look for when choosing a photo scanning service?

While the rate per photo is a deciding factor, you should consider more than just the pricing. Also keep in mind what size photos they can scan, which image enhancements are included in the price and in which format the scanned images will be shared. It’s also very important to double-check that your photos won’t get shipped to another country, this increases the risk of damage or images getting lost.

How much do photo scans cost?

Prices range quite a lot. You can expect to pay anything from $0.30 per photo to $0.71 per photo. Keep in mind that factors like the resolution and photo sizes will impact the pricing.

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Top photo software
Reviews

Top 15 Photo Management Software – Free, Paid & Trial

by Dima

Digital photography has enabled everyone to take photos using common devices, such as cameras, smartphones, tablets, and even laptops (e.g., downloads, screenshots, drawings, etc.). 1.72 trillion photos are taken each year. We benefit from large storage space on our devices and even more on the cloud. Nothing can stop us from capturing family moments or special events, keeping photographs we receive from others, or creating images to illustrate our work.

But while it’s very easy to acquire and store images, it’s not that easy to organize them and find quickly what we need.
Photo manager software represents tools that help us categorize and organize digital assets, search, browse, and even rate our images. Furthermore, a digital photo organizer may provide other useful features, such as an in-built photo editor, share functionalities, metadata management, and automatic backups. It is much more than a folder structure. So, check out the best 15 photo manager software and choose the one that suits your workflow.

1. Mylio Photos (free + a premium plan with a 30-day free trial)

Mylio offers two photo library managers: Mylio Photos and Mylio Photos+. The first is free and features basic photo organizing tools, such as photo management, AI-powered search, collecting files from devices and photo-sharing sites, and interactive views. However, Mylio Photos+ is the ultimate photo manager.

The software offers automated backup and syncing with an unlimited number of devices, browse tools, theft and loss protection tools, and even tools to recover your photos from disk failure. Both Mylio’s photo library managers include a photo editor for quick retouches and connect with professional photo editors for advanced editing.

Pros: It imports photos and videos from any device plus social media accounts, is free for 30 days, and offers webinars and learning events.
Cons: The free application doesn’t include automatic backups and other advanced features.

2. Adobe Bridge (7-day free trial)

Why we like it: It integrates smoothly with Adobe software, such as Adobe Camera Raw and Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Bridge is Adobe’s digital asset management solution and goes beyond a photo library. It keeps all your Adobe projects in the same place and provides various tools for organizing them, such as labels, metadata, ratings, and keywords. Furthermore, Adobe Bridge offers exquisite search tools that use filters and collections. Being an Adobe product, Adobe Bridge integrates with Adobe’s photo editing programs, Adobe Stock and Portfolio, and Creative Cloud.

Pros: It provides good searching tools, options for working on multiple folders at once, and a customizable interface.
Cons: It only offers a 7-day free trial and may require a steep learning curve.

3. Google Photos (free + Premium plans)

Why we like it: It’s free and links to an existing Google account.

Google Photos is one of the many free apps Google offers its customers. If you have a Google account, you have access to up to 15GB of storage space you can use for storing emails, docs, and photographs. Google Photos include all the basic picture organization tools one needs, such as categorizing photos in albums and favorites, a search engine, a share functionality, a backup option, and a printing service.

Pros: It’s easy to learn and use and syncs with all your Google devices.
Cons: It doesn’t have advanced features and the free storage space is limited.

4. Magix Photo Manager (free + Deluxe plan with 30-day free trial)

Why we like it: It supports RAW formats and offers virtual albums for saving storage space.

Magix Photo Manager is a great choice if you work with many file formats, cloud services, and devices. It can easily import images from cloud services and devices and mix them with local files, identify duplicates and poor photos (e.g., blurry), and create backups or send you reminders to do so. The program also recovers files deleted by accident, allows you to protect files with passwords, and works with virtual albums so you don’t store the same image in multiple locations. Magix Photo Manager includes a photo editor for basic retouches, creating panoramas and slideshows, and applying photo filters.

Pros: It includes a quite good photo editor, a panorama tool, and an animation tool for travel routes.
Cons: It only works on Windows and doesn’t offer free upgrades.

5. digiKam (free and open-source)

Why we like it: It’s an open-source digital photo manager, meaning you can contribute to making it better.

digiKam has reached the 8.0.0 version. It’s a digital photo manager for those who not only want a good photo organizer but also want to get involved and develop the best one. digiKam can handle large libraries with up to 100,000 images, process RAW files, work with metadata, share photos on social media, rate and label files, search using advanced filters, and display histograms and ICC profiles.

Pros: It’s free and includes a photo editor that supports RAW files.
Cons: The interface is not very intuitive. Installing and managing an open-source app may not be for non-tech users.

6. FastStone Image Viewer (free for non-commercial use)

Why we like it: It’s a free and straightforward photo manager and converter and supports many file formats.

For amateur photographers, a free and simple digital photo organizer is the best solution. FastStone Image Viewer allows you to browse through your photos, convert them using the most common file formats, and edit them. It doesn’t have all the functionalities of a professional photo editor, but it provides the most used functions, such as scaling, resizing, red-eye removal, and color adjustments. You can use it to compare photographs and cull the best ones, send your images via email, create slideshows, tag and rate your photos, and visualize histograms.

Pros: The software includes image management, batch processing, photo retouching, and even image comparing (up to 4 at a time).
Cons: It doesn’t have advanced search tools.

7. StudioLine Photo Basic (free for non-commercial use)

Why we like it: It’s an image management tool that includes photo editing and presenting features.

StudioLine Photo Basic helps you manage large volumes of images but also provides editing and presenting features. The program includes functionalities for importing images from various media, sorting them based on custom criteria, working with metadata, batch processing, and quick searching and browsing. It allows you to export images in various formats, create backups, and edit your photos. Furthermore, StudioLine Photo Basic includes tools for creating web pages, sending photos via email, and creating calendars and greeting cards.

Pros: It features tools for large photo library management.
Cons: It is only available for Windows and supports only five languages.

8. Adobe Lightroom (7-day free trial)

Why we like it: It is a powerful and popular photo editor that perfects your images in seconds.

Adobe Lightroom is mostly a photo editor, but it also includes online photo storage and image organizing features. The program uses AI-powered algorithms to provide intelligent search, offers 1TB of cloud storage, has a complex system of albums and folders, and allows collaborative editing. And because everything is securely saved in a cloud-based location, you don’t risk losing your images and can access them from any device.

Pros: It features exquisite photo editing functionalities, offers cloud storage, and is accessible from any device.
Cons: The program may be too complex for people who don’t need the photo editing capabilities.

9. XnView (free for non-commercial use)

Why we like it: It provides batch tools that speed up your photo management workflow.

Supporting more than 500 file formats and exporting to 70 file formats, XnView is a powerful image viewer and manager. It allows you to browse large photo libraries, make the most common and needed adjustments, compare images, and apply the same function to multiple images simultaneously (e.g., resize, add text or watermark, enhance, filter, etc.).

Pros: It provides batch functionalities and diverse modalities to view, browse, and organize image files.
Cons: It doesn’t have advanced search tools or AI-powered features.

10. Phototheca X (15-day free trial)

Why we like it: It is a dedicated photo-organizing software that keeps things simple and efficient.

Phototheca X focuses on photo management and provides functionalities for every step of your workflow, from importing images from local drives, memory cards, network shares, and iOS devices to sharing your photos on social media and online galleries. In between, the program helps you add tags and keywords, work with metadata, create photo descriptions, and organize images based on event, location, album, and more. It also provides an advanced search (with facial recognition), smart albums, multiple viewing possibilities, duplicate removal, and easy export.

Pros: It is an advanced photo manager with smart tools for organizing, browsing, and searching images.
Cons: It only works on Windows systems.

11. Photo Organizer (free)

Why we like it: It’s a good solution for clutter-free photo management and is free.

If you want to have all your photos in a single place, without duplicates, and always at hand, Photo Organizer may be the answer. It’s free picture organization software that scans your computer and moves all image files to a single destination location. It can rename multiple files at once, create sub-folders based on criteria, work with metadata, delete duplicates, and sort your photos based on your preferences. It’s designed to release you from manually managing your files and is good at it.

Pros: The program provides automatic tools for organizing images.
Cons: It only works on Windows systems.

12. Photoscape (free)

Why we like it: It’s free, simple, and compatible with old Windows versions.

Photoscape is a simple photo manager that incorporates a few photo editing tools. It isn’t professional digital asset management software, but it doesn’t need to be. It focuses on home users who need a simple and quick way to deal with their holiday photos. Photoscape features an image viewer, a RAW to JPEG converter, a batch file rename tool, photo retouching tools, and functionalities for creating collages and animations.

Pros: It provides free tools for basic image organizing and editing.
Cons: It works only on Windows systems, and the interface looks a little bit outdated.

13. Nikon ViewNX-i (free)

Why we like it: It’s free, photography-oriented, and includes RAW editing.

Nikon ViewNX-i software is compatible with Nikon cameras and offers an intuitive way to manage photos and videos. The program features tools for organizing files, creating slideshows, adding GPS information, visualizing histograms, editing photos and videos, and sharing your photos. And because it is developed by Nikon, ViewNX-i provides RAW editing and has impressive results in this department.

Pros: It’s easy to use and learn, supports Nikon RAW formats, and includes photo editing capabilities.
Cons: It is only available for Nikon users.

14. Pictomio Image Management (free)

Why we like it: It shows photos in 3D models, which makes image culling and browsing extremely fun.

Pictomio is a cool photo organizing software that includes features such as categorizing photos by topics, sorting, rating, viewing and zooming, and managing files and folders. In addition, it displays histograms and EXIF information, creates slideshows, and saves the user settings. And it does everything by showing 3D models for photos, albums, and categories and applying 3D effects to photo collections.

Pros: It is easy to use and learn and provides straightforward tools for rating and labeling photos.
Cons: It works only on Windows systems.

15. Excire Foto (Paid)

Why we like it: It is an AI-powered photo manager with many automatic features.

Excire Foto is the photo-organizing software you want for automating image management workflow. It uses AI-based algorithms to provide automatic image analysis and tagging, smart search tools, an efficient duplicate finder, and content-based navigation. The program includes face recognition, search by people, keyword, face, an example image, and sharing tools.

Pros: The program includes automatic AI-powered features that simplify searching and browsing.
Cons: It only supports two languages and requires a lot of working memory and HDD space.

Conclusion

The best photo organizer may be simple or complex, versatile or on-point, available for any device or working on just one. Your workflow decides the features the software must provide. So ensure you list your requirements before deciding on a photo manager and remember to include your budget, hardware and software resources, image volume, and technical skills. In the end, the most advanced photo-organizing software may be a failure if it doesn’t suit you.

FAQs

What is photo organizing software?

Photo organizing software is an application that helps you manage image files, from storing photos on your computer or in a cloud-based location to browsing, searching, classifying, and sharing them. It helps work with big volumes of image files and includes features such as filters, categories, tags, keywords, and search criteria.

What is the best photo management software for Mac and Windows?

Mylio is the best photo management software for Mac and Windows because it provides all the tools you need within an intuitive interface. It’s easy to learn and use and suits everyone, from professional photographers and content creators to amateur photographers. Mylio collects your images from various sources, offers quick filters, organizes your folders automatically, and helps you eliminate bad photos.

What is the best free photo organizing software?

Google Photos is the best free photo organizing software because it’s available to all Google users free of charge. It provides basic photo management tools, storage space, and quick access to printing services and sharing tools. Furthermore, you can access your photos from any device.

How do you organize thousands of photos?

You need a file naming system and a well-organized folder structure to organize a large volume of photos. Whether you prefer to store your photos on a local disk or in a cloud-based location, you need the file and folder name to match the photo’s content. For example, you can classify your photos based on date, location, content, purpose (e.g., family or professional photos), or aesthetic (e.g., color, black and white). Metadata can help you with that because it includes location, date, camera, and keywords. Auto-tagging software may also help because AI-powered algorithms recognize the content of a photo (e.g., people recognition, photography genre recognition, etc.).
So, start with a personal file naming system and continue with classifications, metadata, tagging, and advanced image management tools.

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Photography

Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

by Dima

Family photos are our pride and joy. They may be the photographs we look at and share the most, the ones we keep in albums or display around the house, the ones we transform into greeting cards for Christmas or Mother’s Day.  

But although our family will always look good in our eyes, how we dress for a family photo shoot is key for a successful family portrait. And we can’t use the same outfits again and again or rely on clichés. We need inspired clothes that match our family’s personality, taste, and lifestyle. Family photo outfits should also match the occasion, season, and photo shoot location as well as the photographs’ aesthetic. 

So it’s not easy to come up with the perfect outfit. And if you do a family photo session a few times a year, you’ll run out of ideas very quickly. Thus, check out our tips for how to dress for family photo shoots based on various criteria and choose what suits your family style.

How to Dress for Family Photos Based on Season

Dressing according to the season enhances the visual story of your family pictures. It’s part of what photographers and filmmakers call localization: establishing where the action takes place in space and time. Your family’s outfits may indicate the season in the absence of other cues, such as a relevant background. Choosing a family photo outfit based on season refers to warmth, texture, fabric, colors, and style.

Family Photo Outfit Ideas for a Summer Photo Shoot

Summer means sunny days, vacations, and warm weather, which translates into casual family photo outfits in light colors and natural fabrics. It’s also a season full of leisure activities, such as hiking, biking, camping, and going to the beach. Get inspired by the colors and textures of summer and translate them into the perfect clothing items for your family photo shoot. Here are some ideas:

  • Neutral colors with white pieces and natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen. You may want to include straw hats, sandals, and handmade bohemian accessories.
  • Bright greens, yellows, and orange shades are impossible to ignore in any context. They scream vacation, freedom, and joy and look perfect in a travel-theme photo session. You can pair strong colors with white and beige items.
  • Ready-for-adventure sports outfits, such as hiking equipment, hats, and boots. It’s funny and sends a message: We are out for adventure; see you in the fall! Use white T-shirts to brighten up your faces.
  • Marine-inspired outfits that include multiple shades of blue and a lot of white, fluid dresses, stripes, and natural fabrics. You can pose barefoot if you want.

Family Photo Outfit Ideas for a Winter Photo Shoot

Winter is about snow and snow-related sports but also about the coziness of a warm house, the delight of a hot drink, and the winter holidays. Incorporate all these characteristics in your family photo outfit, focusing on what is relevant for your family.

Earth colors, such as grays, browns, and dark greens, complement the winter landscape. Use thick and textured fabrics such as knitwear and leather. Don’t forget about accessories: long boots and shawls go well here.

  • Layers are a must in winter. Why not use them for your photo session? You may want to use long, fluid dresses and sweaters, tight trousers and oversized shirts, or any other combination that matches your style and attitude. Make sure you don’t use too many different textures and patterns.
  • Winter sports equipment, such as ski and snowboard equipment, looks adventurous in an outdoor photo session and hilarious in an indoor photo session. Nevertheless, it conveys your spirit and makes a fun family photo shoot.

Warm outfits that include heavy coats, gloves, and wool hats are perfect for an outdoor family photo session. You may want to use strong colors to stand out from the background and convey energy and happiness.

Family Photo Outfit Ideas for a Spring Photo Shoot

Spring is well-known for its blossomed trees and beautiful colors. All you have to do is match your outfits with the natural beauty that surrounds you. But if you prefer a less-is-more approach, here are some ideas:

  • Floral outfits are a good choice, but add a twist. Don’t go all floral; use just one clothing item with a floral pattern, such as a shirt or a skirt. Use plain colors for the remaining pieces, such as green, brown, or purple.
  • Camouflage outfits but not the military way; the blossoming way. Do you plan a photo shoot in a blossomed cherry orchard? Wear pink. In a rapeseed field? Wear yellow. Blend in the landscape.

Go green is a great approach for spring family photo outfits. Find clothing items in the same shade of green as the fresh foliage of the trees. Use statement items, such as T-shirts, and pair them with denim.

Family Photo Outfit Ideas for a Fall Photo Shoot

Fall has the best light for photography. Just imagine a sunset, the golden autumn colors, and the deep blue skies. If you don’t know already what to wear for a fall family photo session, here are some ideas:

Autumn color outfits, the obvious choice, are suited for an indoor photo session. If you and the background have the same colors, you will blend in too much. So, either pair autumn colors (shades of red, brown, and orange) with cold shades (blue, gray) or use a studio.

Cold colors outfits contrast the warm autumn colors and make you stand out. It’s a good moment for an all-denim outfit, for example.

  • Minimalist outfits look good in the fall because the landscape already has plenty of texture. A simple monochrome outfit will create a focal point. You may want to try overalls, long dresses, suits, and matching shirt and trousers sets.

How to Dress for Family Photos Based on Occasion

If you want to transform your family photo shoot into a memorable event, consider the occasion when you choose your outfits. Keep in mind that you don’t need to match the entire outfit to the occasion. A single clothing item or accessory acts as a powerful hint.

Family Christmas Photo Outfit Ideas

Christmas photos are so used that often become a cliché. So avoid reindeer sweaters and complete matching outfits in red and green. Instead, try one of these ideas:

  • T-shirts with Christmas messages tell everything you need to tell without making the photos tacky. You can be as stylish as you are in your normal life. And you can use the canvas to say something meaningful to you.
  • Velvet, whether it is red, green, or another color, is a symbol of Christmas in a very subtle way. It’s classy and elegant and looks amazing in photos.

Three Festive Colors is a family photo outfit idea that leaves you plenty of creative freedom. You can go for a traditional red-green-dark blue or a glamorous white-silver-gold, but also for something that represents your family, such as red-white-black, purple-gold-cream, or light blue-silver-dark green. Choose one bright color and two softer ones.

Beach Family Photo Outfit Ideas

If you are on holiday or live near a beach, you have the perfect location for a family photo session. However, you need multiple beach family photo outfit ideas if this is your favorite décor for family pictures. Here is what we propose you wear:

  • Bright colors and beach-themed accessories are a faultless idea. It provides endless combinations and authentic approaches, such as colorful swimsuits, beach toys, surf costumes, and light clothes that flatter your skin tone. You choose the clothes you love and make them look ready for the beach.
  • Black items are often avoided when it comes to a beach photo session. But black is so classy and stylish, making your pictures elegant and timeless. Avoid black if you don’t have a tan, and stay away from all-black outfits. Otherwise, you are good to go!
  • Light materials create a romantic atmosphere on windy days. Choose white, soft pastels, and neutral colors to complement the flow of the clothes and let the wind play with your hair. For this outfit, you don’t need shoes or hats; just a kite for kids to play with.

Newborn Family Photo Outfit Ideas

When a newborn is welcomed into the family, the outfits have to match the occasion. But celebration meets practicality because you can’t wear clothes that will make the baby uncomfortable. But don’t worry; there are some tricks a happy family with a new baby can easily implement.

Minimalism always works. Choose matching outfits in plain colors for the entire family, but start by dressing the newborn. Then, adjust the color palette to meet his or her needs. Avoid patterns and rich textures, and choose comfortable fabrics, such as cotton and linen. Use just one or two colors that complement your skin tone.

Knitwear is comfy, warm, and photogenic. And it allows you to use saturated colors and create a fun and joyful atmosphere. Not all baby photos have to be white, delicate, and serene. If your family’s personality suits colorful outfits, knitwear is your friend.

  • Patterns like stripes, paws, and hearts are often part of a newborn’s wardrobe. Why not use them for the family’s outfits as well? Don’t mix too many patterns and colors; you’ll create fun and eye-catching family portraits.

How to Dress for Family Photos Based on Location

Location is also an important factor in your decision on what to wear for a family photo shoot. And not just because taking photos outdoors means you depend on the weather conditions. But what goes for an indoor photo session isn’t always appropriate for an outdoor one and vice versa. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best outdoor and indoor outfits.

Outdoor Family Photo Clothing Ideas

Consider the weather, landscape, and atmosphere for an outdoor family photo session. For example, if you have the ocean as the background, dressing in blue makes you blend in, while dressing in orange makes you pop out. 

  • Activity wear is appropriate when your family photos capture a particular moment of your life. It may be an exotic holiday with water sports activities, preparations for a camping trip, gardening, or running a marathon. Whatever brings your family together deserves to be in your family portraits.
  • Color contrast with the background is a good idea for family portraits because it makes you stand out. Choose reds and oranges for a blue background, purples and violets for a green background, and bright colors for a neutral background.

Blend in with the background to emphasize your connection with nature. Choose similar clothing items for your family members, such as denim jackets, white T-shirts, and matching shoes. Choose organic fabrics and sustainable items to tell your story and raise awareness.

Indoor Family Portraits Outfit Ideas

For indoor family portraits, you can opt for more elegant outfits. Your photo session will most likely be static and require you to pose and be aware of the camera. It’s your time to shine and create beautiful family portraits.

Evening wear is a good idea if you intend to transform your family photos into wall art or greeting cards. Choose glamorous fabrics, such as velvet and silk, wear accessories, and visit a hairdresser and a makeup artist.

Outfits that match the interior will help you create clean family photos with fewer distractions. If your home has Mediterranean or countryside influences, ensure your outfits use the same color palettes, accessory styles, and textures. You want your photos to look natural and honest.

  • Funny outfits are an excellent touch-up when you take photos at home. You can wear pajamas, funny T-shirts, crazy accessories, and princess skirts. Showcase your family’s portfolio in terms of Halloween costumes and unconventional ideas. Be yourself!

How to Dress for Family Photos in Every Situation

A photo shoot is about your family; every member should be considered. It may be easy to dress two people in matching outfits, but finding matching outfits for a large family with diverse sizes, styles, and preferences is a challenge. Check out our ideas to maintain peace in the family. 

Large Family Photo Outfit Ideas

A large family photo session usually means static poses. Therefore, people’s outfits need to match in color, style, and texture. As some people may refuse to wear a particular color or style, discuss the outfits as a group and come to a common decision.

  • A neutral color palette allows every family member to find something appropriate in their wardrobe. Some may want to go for white or black, but others may want something in between, such as beige, gray, brown, or burgundy. And if you have a common color palette, you may much more easily incorporate different textures.

Gradient color shades are a great way to offer flexibility, display the relationships within your family, and add a new dimension to family photos. Choose a color everyone likes and invite your family to select a particular shade. Some may prefer a bold shade; others prefer pastel tones or even white. It’s OK as long as everyone stands in line.

  • Thematic outfits are fun and engaging. Family members receive a theme and can choose any clothing that fits the theme. You can use a chromatic theme (e.g., yellow, all-black), a seasonal one (e.g., spring vibes), something related to the photo shoot’s location (e.g., Earth Day), or something specific to your family (e.g., Italian background).

Plus-Size Outfit Family Photo Ideas

When you dress for family photos, what you like to wear comes first. Even the most gorgeous outfit can’t hide the fact that you are uncomfortable wearing it. Besides, family photo sessions are long and tiring. You need comfortable clothes and shoes to make it through the day. So, if one of the family members is a plus size, see what makes them feel at ease and go from there.

  • Black and white outfits create an appealing contrast and geometric design. They are also elegant, sophisticated, and easy to wear in any size. You can go for plain black or white clothing items or items with black and white patterns.
  • Colorful patterns, especially flowers, make any outfit look fun and joyful. Choose bold colors and match them with denim, linen pieces, and festival accessories. Make a fashion statement and wear the colors that make you smile.
  • Monochrome outfits are another excellent choice for plus-size families. They show there’s no place for judgment and comparison within your family. If you prefer black or white, the photos will be elegant. But if you prefer a happy color, such as yellow or lime, your family portraits will document your mood and family spirit. 

Conclusion

Family photos should represent your family and capture the personalities of each of its members. Although outfits should match and look good on camera, it’s more important that they provide the right mindset and mood. Family photo outfits are more about you as a family than they are about the photographs. So, discuss with your family and agree on outfits that make you happy, relaxed, and ready for the next adventure.

FAQ

How should I dress for a family photo shoot?

Dress according to your personality, style, and mood. Also, consider the location, occasion, and family story. You may consult the photographer to guide you through colors and patterns to ensure you choose something that works in the photo environment.

What are the best colors to wear for family pictures?

It depends on where you take the photographs, on what occasion, and for what purpose. It also depends on your skin tone and personal style. Black and white convey an elegant and serious attitude, while bold colors are fun and happy. Neutral and pastel colors create a romantic or nostalgic mood. But it’s more about how you wear a color than the color itself.

What to wear in family photos to look thinner?

You will look thinner if you wear colors that blend in the background. If you take photos outdoors, that means natural shades of blue, green, and brown. In a group photo, people look thinner if they wear dark clothes and stand near people wearing bright clothes.

What not to wear for a family photo shoot?

Don’t wear too many different patterns or too many bold colors. Try to harmonize the color palette of the group and alternate saturated colors and patterns with neutral tones, soft fabrics, and plain color items. Also, unless it’s intentional, you may want to avoid reflective pieces that may catch the flash and create glares. Discuss with the photographer and ask for professional advice based on lighting design and photo setup.

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Reviews

Good Cameras for Photography & Vlogging

by Dima

From digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras to mirrorless cameras to compact cameras, there are various types of cameras that can take great family photos. The best option will be determined by your budget, skill set, and needs. Some prefer a small, compact camera, while others aren’t intimidated by long zoom lenses. 

To help you find the best camera for family photography, here are 10 great choices:

1. Best Cheap Camera for Family Photography

For budget-conscious photographers, there’s the Panasonic LUMIX ZS80, a great all-in-one superzoom camera. It has a solid build and super quick autofocus system. Its face detection also deserves special mention, making it a great choice for family photography. 

Other notable features include its very responsive LCD touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi, and RAW shooting option.  

All in all, it’s a great fit if you don’t want to lug a big camera around with you and you also don’t want to spend a large sum of money just on a camera. On the downside is its image quality. It’s not the best, but considering that it’s not the most expensive camera either, it’s a case of you get what you’re willing to pay for. 

2. Best Camera for Beginners

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 Digital SLR Camera is a great choice for aspiring family photographers new to the industry. It’s an entry-level DSLR that’s not only easy to use, but it’s also one of the more affordable options. 

If you’ve been using a mobile device’s built-in camera up until now, this Canon will be the next logical step and the jump between the two isn’t that big. Its clear LCD screen makes it easy to find the right camera settings and, to help you take better pictures, it includes manual and autofocus support with multiple autofocus (AF) points. 

While it’s intuitive, it’s not at the expense of functionality. It still offers plenty of powerful features and connectivity including image stabilization, Wi-Fi integration, and optional GPS. 

Compared to other Canon models, you’ll find that its sensor is more powerful and the body more compact. Though, its ISO range has room for improvement. 

You can pair it with a standard 18-55 lens kit which is one of the more affordable zoom lenses. For portraits, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a good choice, while the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM works well for headshots, but it’s less versatile.

3. Best Camera for Professional Family Photography

The Sony Alpha a9 II Full-frame mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera offers a near perfect autofocus system, helping you to photograph in a range of lighting settings. After the initial setup, you’ll also find that you’ll rarely have to change the settings. 

What makes it such a good choice for professionals is its RAW noise levels and faster wired transfer speeds. You can also look forward to a consistent experience, helping you to deliver the same high-quality family photos that you’ve become known for. 

One drawback, though, is its video capabilities and rear screen. You might also find that it’s not the best choice for landscape photos. However, if you’re going to stick to family events, it’s a solid choice and you can count on it to catch all the action. 

4. Best Camera for Vlogging With Your Family

If you’ll be vlogging mainly, you’re spoilt with two top choices: The DJI Osmo Action 3 (or GoPro) and the Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera With Vlogger Accessory Kit. 

While DJI is synonymous with drone photography, it also offers a selection of compact action cameras. What makes the DJI Osmo Action 3 such a good choice for family photography is its focus on portrait-mode shooting. You can also shoot in 4K resolution, which is key for successful vlogging. 

Plus, if the action gets a bit intense (or literally too cool), it offers great image stabilization, HorizonSteady and HorizonBalancing features, and improved heat management. Not only can you count on it that it will be able to capture even the most action-packed moments, but thanks to its great battery capabilities, you won’t miss out on any action. According to DJI’s product info, it takes only 50 minutes to charge the battery fully and on a fully charged battery you can record about 2.5 hours. 

Other useful features of the DJI Osmo Action 3 include: 

  • A protective frame which supports vertical and horizontal mounting
  • A quick-release design
  • Two touchscreens
  • Three-mic stereo recording
  • 4X digital zoom

For something compact, yet powerful, you’ll like the Sony. Its size is probably its biggest attraction. That being said, it still offers impressive depth. Thanks to its optimized audio system, it’s perfectly suited for vlogging. If you know that you won’t need interchangeable lenses, this pocket-sized camera is great for family filmmaking. 

5. Best Camera for Travel Family Photography

For families that often hit the road, there’s Nikon’s 20.9 D500 Sports & Wildlife Kit With 3.2” LCD. As its name suggests, it’s actually aimed at sports and wildlife photography. However, for families who love to spend time outdoors, this camera can help to capture the best of worlds — family life and wildlife. That being said, it’s not meant for the amateur. It’s a high-speed, advanced-tier camera, which is made clear by its heavy body. 

Its notable features include the image quality and autofocus system. It’s great at capturing fine details, actions, and even landscape settings. However, for shooting video mode, there are better options available. 

6. Best Camera for Landscape Family Photos

The Nikon D5600 offers a great balance of control and ease of use. There are enough features, but not too many to confuse you if you’re still learning the basics of the finer art of landscape photography. 

Included in its honourable features are dozens of autofocus points ensuring accurate focus shot after shot, Wi-Fi, and video capabilities. With the D5600 in your camera bag, you can look forward to sharp, crisp images.

The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality might be disappointing, but the pros of this camera far outweigh the cons. 

7. Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

The Sony α7R IV Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera offers great resolution at a great price. It will help you to capture great detail and its autofocus system is one of the most powerful available on the market. With the help of its Pixel Shift Multi-shooting feature, you’ll end up with impressive image quality, making it a great choice if you plan on enlarging many of your family prints. 

Another standout feature that deserves special mention is its 4K video capability. It lets you capture great slow motion video for slowing down those magical milestones like a baby’s first step. 

If you plan on using multiple lenses, you’ll love its huge lens range. In addition to Sony’s own range, you can also check out third-party lens makers.  

8. Best for Family Photography and Video Content Creation

The Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera with 4K Video is a great camera for family photography. It offers very impressive autofocus capabilities and equally great image stabilization. It’s also great for low-light conditions and will deliver crisp and detailed shots without fail.  

Keep in mind, though, that some users have complained about the battery life. So, you might have to budget for more batteries. You might also find that its resolution is not the best, compared to similar cameras. 

All in all, it’s one of the best cameras for family photography and handles well. Advanced amateurs will love its ability to capture moving objects, like toddlers. 

9. Best of Both Worlds 

If you can’t decide between buying an entry-level DSLR or a compact camera, there’s the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ1000 20.1 MP 4K Point and Shoot Digital Camera w/ 16X Zoom Leica Lens. It offers a great selection of features to help you create high-quality photos and videos. Basically, if you want to enjoy DSLR-like controls and the convenience of a single fixed lens, this is a great solution. 

You can get about 360 shots per charge which is not that great compared to similar cameras in its category. It’s also slightly heavier.

10. Best DSLR Camera for Family Photography

If you prefer a DSLR over a mirrorless camera, be sure to check out the Nikon D850. It remains one of Nikon’s most iconic cameras and a firm favorite among professional photographers. While it only offers a mechanical viewing system, its image quality and range of features give even the best mirrorless cameras a good go. 

Its standout features include its ability to shoot in low light. Plus, if you have a nice collection of older lenses, you won’t need an adapter.

FAQ

What is the best camera for family photography?

Your needs, skill set, and budget will impact which will ultimately be the best camera for family photography for you. The Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 is a great choice for beginners, while professionals can check out the Sony Alpha a9 II Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. If you’ll be using more for vlogging than photos, you’ll want to pay attention to its video capabilities too, in which case the DJI Osmo Action 3 and the Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera With Vlogger Accessory Kit are great options.

Which type of camera is best for photography?

The short answer is that every camera has its own unique pros and cons. It will mostly depend on which type of photography it will mainly be used for. For example, if you’ll be using it mostly for family photography, you’ll want to pay attention to features like its autofocus system. Price is only one factor and shouldn’t be the deciding factor.

How do I choose a camera?

Family photographers are blessed with a selection of great cameras which can make choosing the best camera more challenging. Here are key things to keep in mind which will help with the process of shopping for a new camera:
1) The image quality should be better than your mobile phone’s photo quality.
2) The camera should have a good grip to suit your hands and habits. Light and compact cameras are better, for example, for parents with young kids, while a larger camera can make more sense if you typically walk around with a bag.
3) If you prefer a bigger camera, an interchangeable lens camera that suits your budget can be the smarter investment.
4) Where possible, avoid older models. Tech advances quickly and you’ll want the latest model in order to leverage the new features.

Do expensive cameras take better pictures?

The short answer is no. If you don’t know how to use the features, it will be useless if you have the most expensive camera. What you need to be able to take great photos are the skills and knowledge to know how to use your gear. You’ll also need a good grip on the basics of photography. To sum up, it’s knowledge about gear and the fundamentals of photography as well as basic skills that are needed to take great photos.

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Education

Best Ways to Store Photos Forever

by Dima

Preserving memories is important, and digital photos have made it easier to keep them for a long time. However, not all storage options are created equal. Here are some of the best ways to store photos, with a focus on reliability, security, and ease of use.

1. Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is becoming increasingly popular as a way to store digital photos. Some of the best options include:

  • Google Drive: provides 15GB of free storage and allows you to upload photos directly from your phone or computer.
  • iCloud: Specifically designed for Apple devices, it offers 5GB of free storage.

One of the main advantages of cloud storage is that you can access your photos from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This makes sharing your photos with friends and family easy and provides extra protection in case your computer or external hard drive fails. However, it is essential to remember that you are entrusting your photos to a third-party service, which means there is always a risk of data breaches or hacking.

Regarding cloud storage, it is important to research your options and choose a provider that meets your needs. Some cloud storage providers offer automatic backup and synchronization across devices, while others require manual uploading and downloading. Some cloud storage providers offer unlimited storage, while others have strict storage limits. It is also essential to consider the security of your photos when using cloud storage. While most cloud storage providers take measures to protect your data, using a strong password and enabling two-factor authentication is recommended.

2. External Hard Drives

Another option for storing digital photos is to use an external hard drive. This physical device connects to your computer and provides additional storage space. Some popular brands include:

One of the benefits of using an external hard drive is that it allows you to store your photos offline, which means they are not vulnerable to hacking or other digital threats. However, it’s important to note that hard drives can fail over time, so it’s essential to back up your photos regularly and keep the hard drive in a safe place.

When choosing an external hard drive, many factors must be considered. For example, you will need to choose a storage capacity that is appropriate for your needs and a brand and model known for reliability and durability. You may also consider additional features such as password protection and automatic backup software. It is also important to format your external hard drive before using it to ensure it is compatible with your computer and operating system.

Another important consideration when using an external hard drive is the file format of your photos. Some external hard drives use the FAT32 file system, which has a maximum file size of 4GB. If you plan to store high-resolution photos or videos, you may need to use a different file system, such as NTFS or exFAT.

3. Physical Storage Formats

In addition to cloud storage and external hard drives, there are other physical storage formats that you can use to store your photos. These include:

  • CDs and DVDs
    USB drives
    Memory cards

While these formats can be convenient, they also have some drawbacks. For example, they can be easily lost or damaged and become obsolete. They often have limited storage capacity and may require special equipment to access the photos.

If you have an extensive collection of photos, it can be time-consuming and difficult to organize manually. Automatic face recognition software can help simplify the process by identifying the individuals in each picture and automatically tagging them. This makes it easy to find specific photos and create personalized albums.

4. Photo Organizing Software

Automatic face recognition software is an AI technology that uses algorithms to identify and recognize faces in photos. Mylio Photos is an example of such software offering advanced face detection and tagging capabilities. With features like automatic geotagging and calendar views, Mylio Photos makes organizing and simplifying photo management easy. Additionally, it provides a secure and private way to store your cherished memories in one place.

This technology can organize photos by identifying the individuals in each picture. Once the software has identified faces, it can automatically tag each person in the photo to make finding pictures easier. Regardless of your storage option, it is important to regularly back up your photos to prevent data loss in case of a hardware failure or other disasters. In addition to backing up your digital photos, you may also want to consider creating physical prints of your favorite photos as a backup option. Printed photos can last for generations and provide a tangible way to preserve memories.

5. Online Backup Services

Online backup services are one of the most effective ways to safeguard your photos. With online backup, all your photos and files are automatically saved to a remote server, which means you can access them anytime and anywhere. This storage method is particularly helpful if you’re worried about losing your pictures because of theft, accidents, or natural disasters.

Some popular online backup services include Backblaze and Carbonite, which offer plenty of storage space, security features, and affordable pricing plans. However, before you choose an online backup service, it’s essential to research and compare different options to find the one that suits your needs the best. Consider storage space, pricing, security features, and customer reviews.

Mylio Photos is an advanced photo manager that uses AI technology to identify and recognize faces and objects in your photos. Still, it also provides one of the best backup services available. With Mylio Photos, you can store your photos securely and privately on your devices without an internet connection. Mylio Photos offers automatic face recognition, allowing you to easily organize your photos by identifying the individuals in each picture and automatically tagging them. Additionally, Mylio Photos provides advanced object recognition capabilities that can help you quickly find specific photos based on the objects within them. With features like automatic geotagging and calendar views, Mylio Photos makes it easy to simplify photo management and back up your cherished memories in one place.

The best way to store and organize digital & printed photos

Preserving your memories is vital; you can do so effectively by selecting the right storage option. With so many options available, each with advantages and disadvantages, choosing based on your needs and preferences is important. Whether you store your photos on cloud storage, external hard drives, physical storage formats, or online backup services, it’s crucial to ensure that your photos are backed up regularly to avoid data loss.

In addition to backing up digital photos, it’s also a good idea to create physical prints of your favorite photos as a backup option. Printed photos are tangible and can last for generations, making them an excellent way to preserve memories. Remember that preserving your memories is essential, and by selecting the right storage option, you can protect your photos from damage or loss.

The key to selecting the right storage option is considering factors such as storage capacity, device compatibility, security features, and ease of use. By considering these factors, you can ensure that your cherished memories are preserved for years.

If you want a reliable and secure way to store your digital photos, consider using Mylio Photos. With its advanced face and object recognition capabilities, Mylio Photos makes it easy to organize and manage your photos while providing a secure and private way to store them on your devices. Whether you’re using cloud storage, external hard drives, or physical storage formats, Mylio Photos can help simplify the process and ensure that your photos are backed up regularly to avoid data loss.

In addition, it is worth noting that different storage options can have different implications for the quality and fidelity of your photos. For example, when using cloud storage, it’s essential to consider the compression and encoding of your photos, as this can affect their resolution and overall quality. Similarly, when using physical storage formats like CDs or DVDs, it’s essential to consider the longevity and durability of the media, as well as the compatibility with different devices and players.

Another factor to consider when choosing a storage option for your photos is the level of accessibility and sharing that you require. While cloud storage and online backup services provide convenient access and sharing options, they can also be subject to network connectivity issues, data caps, and other limitations. On the other hand, physical storage formats like USB drives or external hard drives may offer more reliable and flexible access but may not be as easy to share or collaborate on with others.


Ultimately, the choice of storage option for your photos will depend on various factors, including your specific needs and preferences and the technical and practical considerations of the different options available. By taking the time to research and evaluate your options and by regularly backing up your photos, you can ensure that your cherished memories are preserved and protected for years to come.

FAQ

What is the best way to store videos?

The same way as for photos. Cloud storage, external hard drives, and physical storage formats are all viable options.

What are the best ways to store photos from a phone (iPhone or Android)?

Cloud storage is the easiest and most convenient way to store photos from your phone. Google Drive and iCloud are great options, allowing you to upload photos directly from your phone.

What are the best ways to store photos on Windows or Mac?

The best way to store photos on Windows or Mac is to combine cloud and physical storage. This will ensure that you have multiple copies of your photos in case one storage option fails.

What is the best way to store thousands of photos?

Mylio Photos is an excellent option for storing and organizing thousands of photos. Its advanced face recognition technology and automatic geotagging make finding and organizing your photos easy, no matter how many you have.

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Education

White Balance in Photography – Definition and Examples

by Dima

The purpose of a photographic camera is to transform the three-dimensional reality in front of the lens into an accurate two-dimensional picture. But the result depends on the quality of the available light. And while shutter speed, aperture, and ISO deal with the light’s intensity, white balance deals with the color of the light. 

Therefore, if you want photographs with natural-looking colors, you need to understand white balance and start setting up the camera by adjusting the white balance according to the available lighting conditions. The following guide will explain in detail what white balance is, how to adjust it, and when to rely on automatic settings and when not.

What Is White Balance?

White balance is a camera setting that establishes what filtering the camera has to do in order to represent white objects as white areas in the photograph. It is essentially a calibration process that ensures high color accuracy by eliminating the color casts induced by light. By establishing a reference color point (white), all the other colors will be correctly represented. As a result, your photos will look realistic and have natural-looking colors.

You need white balance because the light is not always white. It may have another color. For example, natural light is closer to orange during the golden hours, closer to blue on overcast days, and closer to white on sunny days at noon. Artificial light may also have different colors based on its source (e.g., fluorescent bulbs, LED panels, candles, household bulbs with warm or cool light, etc.). 

The color of light is called color temperature and is measured in Kelvin (K). Understanding white balance starts with understanding color temperature because when the light is warm or cold, the camera has to compensate to create a correct representation of colors.

Color Temperature

Color temperature is a physical property of light. It is called color temperature because it represents the spectrum of light radiated by a black surface with a particular temperature. Surfaces with high temperatures radiate cool colors in the spectrum of blue and violet. Surfaces with low temperatures radiate warm colors in the spectrum of orange and red.

Wikipedia: Approximation of the hues of the Planckian locus as a function of the Kelvin temperature, rendered with a white point near 6500 K.

For photography and white balance in particular you need to know that perfectly white light has a color temperature of 6500K. Daylight on a sunny day has a neutral color and around 5000K color temperature. This type of light doesn’t create a color cast. That’s why flash units have a color temperature of approximate 5500K; they try to replicate daylight.

Light during the golden hours, household bulbs with warm light, and candlelight are warm and have a lower color temperature (3000-4000K golden hours, 2500-3500K household bulbs with warm light, 1000-2000K candlelight). They produce an orange color cast.

Photo by Petr Vyšohlíd on Unsplash

Daylight on overcast days and household bulbs with cool light have a higher color temperature (6000-10000K). They produce a blue color cast.

White balance should consider the color temperature of the available light to be able to remove its color cast and produce accurate colors.

When to Set Up White Balance Manually

Setting up white balance manually, like setting up any other camera setting, ensures you get exactly what you want and eliminates possible camera errors. You evaluate the color temperature of the available light and tell the camera what to do. That’s no room for mistakes.

One way to go is to set the white balance correctly to eliminate any color cast and produce photographs with high color accuracy. Another way to go is intentionally allow or even emphasize a color cast and create an artistic effect by setting a slightly erroneous white balance. For example, you may want to add a warm color cast to enhance autumn foliage or a subtle blue color cast to convey the cold of a winter day. In these situations, you tell the camera that the available light’s color temperature is colder or warmer than it actually is to enforce color compensation.

Correct photograph versus slightly golden version due to an intentional off-white balance.

Professional cameras have a Custom White Balance setting that allows you to photograph a neutral white surface in the same lighting conditions you have during the photo shoot and use it as a reference white point. You need a neutral white card or a white surface in your photograph space for this setup.

Another way to set up white balance manually is to give the camera the color temperature of the available light. The camera will compensate with its opposite color temperature. Remember, daylight has a color temperature of around 5000K. Anything less than that means warm light, and the camera will compensate by increasing the amount of blue. Anything higher than that means blue light, and the camera will compensate by increasing the amount of orange.

However, if the lighting conditions change during the photo shoot, you must redo the white balance setup. Studio photographers usually set up white balance manually for each photo session because they control the lighting design, and the scenery doesn’t change (e.g., product and commercial photography, headshots and portraits, fashion and beauty photography, etc.). But outside the studio, it may take too much time and effort to set up white balance whenever the lighting conditions change, which makes many photographers use white balance presets instead.

White Balance Presets

White balance presets are predefined settings that speed up the white balance setup process. Most cameras offer white balance presets for the most common lighting situations, such as Daylight (5600K), Cloudy(6000K), Fluorescent(4000K), Flash(5500K), Incandescent(3200K), and Shade(7000K).

In order, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade

Some cameras also allow you to create custom presets for other lighting situations you frequently encounter. Check out your camera’s manual, and don’t waste time if you have predefined white balance settings you can use.

When to Use Auto White Balance

Auto white balance means letting the camera decide the color temperature of the available light and compensate it accordingly. It’s fast and helpful when you move from one lighting scenario to another within the same photo shoot. For example, if you move from photographing subjects in full sunlight to photographing subjects in the shadows, you don’t have time to manually adjust the white balance each time you move the camera.

However, auto-white balance isn’t always precise, which means it may overcompensate for particular color casts. For example, if your scene includes many warm colors (e.g., autumn foliage, a field of orange flowers, etc.), the camera may use a white balance for low temperatures and create a cold, bluish landscape. On the contrary, if your scene includes cold colors (e.g., a blue evening sky), the camera may use a white balance for high temperatures and create yellow buildings or people.

The camera uses the entire scene to determine the color temperature and set the white balance. But if your scenery has high contrast between warm and cold colors, the camera will average them. The result may not be flattering for either of the image’s parts.

Auto white balance versus manual white balance

So, use auto white balance when the scene has good lighting, is mostly natural, and has no mixed color temperatures. In more complicated situations, make the decision yourself.

Adjusting White Balance in Post-Processing

We all want to achieve the perfect photographs in-camera, but it’s not always possible. The truth is most of our photos require post-processing. We shoot in RAW to ensure the camera records the tiniest details, leaving us room for editing. Although JPEG files take less card space and allow us to take more photos, they record only essential data. In this case, adjusting the white balance in post-processing is more difficult and affects image quality.

Regardless of your photo editor, you have multiple ways to adjust the white balance. For example, Lightroom offers white balance presets that resemble the ones in your camera and allow for quick fixes. Other photo editors, such as Mylio’s built-in photo tool, feature an Auto White Balance adjustment that fixes the white balance for you. However, like with the in-camera auto white balance setting, automatic and semi-automatic adjustments don’t necessarily represent your vision but the algorithms’. So, if you want precision and color accuracy, you should adjust the white balance manually.

The result of using the Auto White Balance tool

The easiest way to adjust the white balance in post-processing is to use a dedicated tool that allows you to reduce the orange or blue color cast using sliders. Usually, the tool also provides a Picker or Eye-Dropper that lets you select a pixel you know should be white. The editor then uses the reference white pixel to adjust the colors in the entire image.

White Balance tool

Other post-processing tools for fixing white balance are Color Balance (allows you to change the color balance between cyan and red, magenta and green, and yellow and blue for highlights, midtones, and shadows) and Levels and Curves (allows you to adjust levels of red, green, and blue). Even a color filter that compensates for your photo’s color cast can be used to fix white balance. Just make sure you don’t overdo it. Remember, the goal is to achieve natural-looking colors.

The result of using the Curves tool

The excellent news about photo editing is that you can adjust the white balance only for a particular image area. For example, suppose you used in-camera auto white balance, and the image has bluish tones where it isn’t supposed to. In that case, you can separate the affected area and compensate for the blue color cast (e.g., retouch people’s skin tones in a photograph taken at sunset).

Conclusion

White balance is an essential setting that can make or break a photograph. Although post-processing corrections are possible, don’t rely on editing. Analyze the three characteristics of light – direction, intensity, and color – and set up the camera accordingly. When you don’t have time for manual settings, use the automatic features or available presets to speed up the workflow. Nonetheless, remain in control and press the shutter release button only when all settings are correctly set up.

FAQ

What is ISO?

ISO is a camera setting that sets the camera’s sensitivity to light. The name stands for International Organization for Standardization, which defined the standard for analog photography in 1988.
Initially, ISO represented the film’s sensitivity to light, a property of the film. Digital sensors, however, can have more than one ISO value. At high ISO values, the sensor becomes more sensitive to light and thus creates brighter images. Most modern digital cameras provide an ISO range between 100 and 25600.

What is the correct white balance? 

The correct white balance is the white balance that allows the camera to represent white objects as being white and, therefore, produce a realistic representation of the scenery. The correct white balance depends on the color temperature of the available light at the moment of shooting.

Why is adjusting the white balance important?

White balance is essential for color accuracy. Without a correct white balance, the subject of your photographs may look artificial (e.g., blue skin tones, yellow teeth, green food, etc.) or not resemble the original. When photo accuracy is essential, such as in portrait, nature, and product photography, the first setting the photographer needs to do is white balance.

How do I know if my white balance is off?

If you use a digital camera, photograph and look at it on its LCD screen. Your white balance is off if you notice a yellow or blue tint. Even at the small scale of the camera’s screen, the image should look exactly like the scenery in front of you.

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Reviews

Apps for Photographers to Share Photos [Top 7 List]

by Dima

Photography has come a long way with the proliferation of smartphones and digital cameras. With the increased frequency of taking photos, it can be challenging to store and share them with friends and family. Luckily, there are many photo sharing apps available, which can help you organize, store, and share your photos with ease. In this article, we will review some of the best photo sharing apps that you can use in 2024. The aim is to provide enough information to help you make an informed decision.

1. Mylio Photos

Mylio Photos is a powerful photo organizing and sharing app designed to keep your photos in sync across all your devices. With Mylio, you can store your photos in the cloud, on your computer, and on your mobile devices. One of the best features of Mylio Photos is its ability to automatically organize your photos based on the time and location they were taken. This app also has a batch photo sharing option, which makes it easy to share lots of photos with just a few clicks. Mylio is an excellent choice for those who want to keep their photos organized and easily accessible. However, it is worth noting that the free plan is limited, and paid plans may be expensive. Additionally, Mylio offers a range of editing tools that can help you enhance the quality of your photos.

Pros:

  • Keeps your photos in sync across all your devices
  • Automatically organizes your photos based on time and location
  • Batch photo sharing option for easy sharing
  • Offers a range of editing tools to enhance photo quality

Cons:

  • Limited free plan

2. Google Photos

Google Photos is one of the most popular photo sharing apps globally. It offers unlimited storage for your photos and videos, making it an excellent choice for those who take a lot of photos. Google Photos also has some powerful editing tools that you can use to enhance your photos. This app has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. In addition to its editing tools, Google Photos offers a range of features that cater to different needs. For instance, it has an automatic backup feature that ensures your photos are always safe and secure.

Pros:

  • Offers unlimited storage for photos and videos
  • Powerful editing tools to enhance photo quality
  • User-friendly interface
  • Automatic backup feature to ensure photos are safe

Cons:

  • Raises privacy concerns
  • Limited to 16-megapixel photos and 1080p videos

Google Photos is an excellent choice for individuals who take many photos and want to store them safely. The app’s user-friendly interface and editing tools make it easy to enhance photo quality. Additionally, the app’s automatic backup feature ensures that photos are safe and secure. However, some users may have concerns about privacy, and the app is limited to 16-megapixel photos and 1080p videos.

3. Apple Photos

iCloud Photos is Apple’s photo sharing app, designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem of devices. With iCloud Photos, you can store and share your photos across all your Apple devices. This app also has some powerful editing tools that you can use to enhance your photos. iCloud Photos offers 5GB of free storage, which can be upgraded to a paid plan if you need more storage. Additionally, iCloud Photos offers a range of features that cater to different needs, such as the ability to create shared albums with your friends and family.

Pros:

  • Works seamlessly with Apple devices
  • Powerful editing tools to enhance photo quality
  • Ability to create shared albums

Cons:

  • Limited free storage
  • Only works with Apple devices
  • iCloud Photos is an excellent choice for Apple users who want to store and share their photos across different devices. The app’s editing tools make it easy to enhance photo quality, and the ability to create shared albums is a helpful feature. However, the free storage is limited, and the app is only available for Apple devices.

4. Flickr

Flickr is a popular photo sharing app that has been around for a long time. It offers free storage for your photos, making it an excellent choice for those who want to store their photos for free. Flickr also has a community of photographers who share their photos and offer feedback on your photos. This app has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Additionally, Flickr offers a range of features that cater to different needs, such as the ability to create albums and organize your photos.

Pros:

  • Offers free storage for photos
  • Community of photographers to share photos and receive feedback
  • User-friendly interface
  • Ability to create albums

Cons:

  • Limited editing tools
  • Limited to 1000 photos for free accounts
  • Flickr is an excellent choice for individuals who are interested in sharing their photos with a community of photographers. The free storage and user-friendly interface are major pros. However, the editing tools are limited, and free accounts are limited to 1000 photos.

5. SmugMug

SmugMug is a photo-sharing app designed for professional photographers. It offers a range of features geared towards photographers, including the ability to create custom galleries and sell your photos. SmugMug offers unlimited storage for your photos, making it an excellent choice for those who take many photos. Additionally, SmugMug offers a range of editing tools that can help you enhance the quality of your photos.

Pros:

  • Offers unlimited storage for photos
  • Geared towards professional photographers
  • Ability to create custom galleries and sell photos
  • Range of editing tools to enhance photo quality

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Not user-friendly for beginners
  • SmugMug is an excellent choice for professional photographers who want to store and sell their photos. Unlimited storage and editing tools are major pros. However, the app is expensive and may not be user-friendly for beginners.

6. Instagram

Instagram is a social media platform designed for sharing photos and videos. It offers a range of filters and editing tools that you can use to enhance your photos. Instagram also has many users who can like and comment on your photos. This app is free to use, making it an excellent choice for those who want to share their photos for free. In addition to its editing tools, Instagram offers a range of features that cater to different needs. For instance, it has a direct messaging feature that lets you privately share photos with your friends and family.

Pros:

  • Free to use
  • A large community of users to like and comment on photos
  • Direct messaging feature to share photos privately
  • Range of editing tools to enhance photo quality

Cons:

  • Limited to square format photos
  • Raises privacy concerns
  • Instagram is an excellent choice for individuals interested in sharing their photos with a large community of users. The app’s editing tools and direct messaging feature are helpful features. However, the app is limited to square format photos, and privacy concerns are a major con.

7. Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage service that can be used to share photos. With Dropbox, you can store your photos in the cloud and share them with friends and family. This app also has a batch photo-sharing option, making it easy to share many photos with just a few clicks. In addition to its photo-sharing feature, Dropbox offers a range of features that cater to different needs, such as collaborating with others on documents and presentations.

Pros:

  • It can be used for cloud storage and photo sharing
  • Batch photo sharing option for easy sharing
  • Ability to collaborate with others on documents and presentations

Cons:

  • Limited free storage
  • Not designed specifically for photo sharing
  • Dropbox is an excellent choice for individuals already using it for cloud storage. The app’s batch photo-sharing option and collaboration features are helpful. However, the free storage is limited, and the app is not specifically designed for photo sharing.
  • In conclusion, many photo-sharing apps will be available in 2024, each with unique features and benefits. Whether you are a professional photographer or someone who loves taking photos, there is an app out there that can help you easily store, organize, and share your photos. These apps offer a variety of features that cater to different needs and preferences. You should consider your needs and preferences before choosing a photo-sharing app. Additionally, it is essential to note that some apps may be more suitable for certain users than others.
  • With the right photo-sharing app, you can easily organize and share your photos with friends and family, no matter where you are.

FAQ

What is the best photo-sharing app for professional photographers?

SmugMug is the best photo-sharing app for professional photographers. It offers a range of features geared towards photographers, including the ability to create custom galleries and sell your photos. Additionally, SmugMug offers unlimited storage for your photos, making it an excellent choice for those who take many photos. However, the app is expensive and may not be user-friendly for beginners.

What is the best free photo-sharing app?

Flickr is the best free photo-sharing app. It offers free storage for your photos, making it an excellent choice for those who want to store them for free. Flickr also has a community of photographers who share their photos and offer feedback on your photos. This app has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. However, the editing tools and free accounts are limited to 1000 photos.

What is the best photo-sharing app for Apple users?

iCloud Photos is the best photo-sharing app for Apple users. The app is designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem of devices, allowing you to store and share your photos across all your devices. iCloud Photos offers 5GB of free storage, which can be upgraded to a paid plan if you need more storage. Additionally, iCloud Photos offers a range of features that cater to different needs, such as the ability to create shared albums with your friends and family.

What is the best photo-sharing app for individuals who take many photos?

Google Photos is the best photo-sharing app for individuals who take many photos. The app offers unlimited storage for your photos and videos, making it an excellent choice for those who take many photos. Google Photos also has some powerful editing tools that you can use to enhance your photos. This app has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. In addition to its editing tools, Google Photos offers a range of features that cater to different needs.

What is the best way to store thousands of photos?

Mylio Photos is an excellent option for storing and organizing thousands of photos. Its advanced face recognition technology and automatic geotagging make finding and organizing your photos easy, no matter how many you have.

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How-to

[Step-by-step Guide] How to Organize Digital and Printed Photos

by Dima

The best approach for organizing images is a step-by-step approach. It’s when you start to rename digital files randomly that you end up getting overwhelmed. 

As for how to organize printed photos, there’s more to it than simply throwing it into the first box that you can find. Printed photos can fade over time, but with the following photo storage ideas that won’t be a big concern. 

How to Organize Digital Photos

Organizing your digital photos is usually easier than having to sort through paper copies. So, let’s start with the easiest first. 

Step 1: Gather all your digital photo files into a single location

Most of us have more than one device for taking photos. Some of us still use a proper digital camera with an SD slot where our most recent photos will be stored. For most of us, our digital photo files will be found on our smartphones. 

In addition to DLSRs and smartphones, here are some other places where digital photos might lurk:

  • A PC’s hard drive
  • A laptop’s hard drive
  • A tablet
  • An external hard drive
  • CDs
  • USB drives
  • Additional SD memory cards
  • Cloud storage drives
  • Social media networks

Check all these devices and storage solutions and move the files to one central location. If you don’t have enough space on your laptop or PC, buying an external hard drive or cloud drive that will be used exclusively for storing photos is best. 

Step 2: Create new folders

Okay, so you’ve consolidated all your digital pics. You probably dumped them into a single folder. 

One of the main perks of digital photography is that you can take as many photos as you want without worrying about the cost involved in developing them. The only worry is storage space — and what to do with all the duplicate and low-quality photos. Now is a good chance to delete duplicate and blurry photos. Doing this now will make it much easier to create individual file names, as you’ll have fewer photos to rename. 

Next, you’ll want to create a system to make sense of all the madness. You’ll want to find a formula for naming your files and creating a folder structure. Popular methods are using a device (for example, tablet, DSLR, or camera phone), date (you’ll probably find the year is easiest and more than enough), or location. 

When it comes to naming the individual files, the trick is that there should be a system, yet each file name should be unique. In other words, you can’t simply rename all the photos of Bruno, the family dog, to Bruno. 

You’ll find that sequence numbers, underscores, and hyphens work best. Some software solutions have useful automation functionality to help you with this step. 

All in all, the best approach is to use the dates for organizing your digital pics. Unlike printed photos, where you’ll have to rely on memory to identify the date it was taken, many digital photos have EXIF data that include the date and time embedded in the file. 

The best is to create folders for the individual years. You can then create subfolders for specific events within that year like graduation, honeymoon, Christmas, etc. If you have loads of photos, you can use the month as an extra criterion and then create subfolders within each month that are named after noteworthy events. When going this route, it’s best to use a numbering system instead of the month’s name or place the number in front of the name so that it gets sorted chronologically.

The secret is to find a naming system that works for you and then apply it consistently. 

In addition to these folders, you might also want to create a folder for all your low-res pics or edited copies. 

Moving forward, you’ll want to use the same system when you upload new pics. You’ll first want to rename the photo using your formula and then create folders and subfolders. 

How to Organize Printed Photos

Organizing printed images is slightly more challenging. Much of this process will need to be completed manually, plus you’ll also need to take greater care not to damage the copies.

Step 1: Plan

Before organizing your printed photos, you must identify your why. You need to work with a goal in mind. 

Perhaps it’s because you’re running out of space and must free up a drawer. Maybe you have a big birthday looming? 

For example, if you’re on a mission to declutter, you might have to throw out some of the blurry pics. On the other hand, if you want to create a photo montage for a birthday celebration, you’ll organize your photos differently. 

Step 2: Get all your printed photos 

Depending on your current “filing system,” the next step can be very time-consuming. However, if you take the time at the beginning first to gather all your photos, the rest of the process will be much easier. Think of it like building a puzzle. First, you must ensure that all the puzzle pieces are facing the right side up. 

Decide on a place where you’ll work. If you don’t have a spare bedroom or unoccupied home office, your second best bet is to turn your dining room table into a workstation for a few days. 

Aside from the obvious place — photo albums, there are various places all over your home where you might have stored a random photo or two. The following are some of the popular places where people keep their photos. Make sure to check all these places. 

  • Dresser drawers
  • Memory boxes
  • Framed pictures
  • Scrapbooks
  • Under beds
  • Wallets
  • In files
  • On the refrigerator
  • Wardrobes
  • Cardboard boxes on shelves
  • Envelopes
  • A safe

It can also be a good idea to check at the office. If some of your children have moved out of the house, use this as a reason to give them a phone call and double-check if they might have any precious pics. 

Step 3: Buy the right tools

You’ll basically only need a good software solution for organizing digital photos. Handling digital photos also requires less care as they can’t smudge, tear, or get water damaged. Plus, it’s much easier to duplicate a digital pic. 

On the other hand, printed photos have to be handled with a lot of care. There’s a good chance that the negatives are long gone, meaning that should something happen to it, you won’t be able to print a new copy.  

As such, buying the right equipment to help with handling and storing is a worthwhile investment. After all, your photo memories are priceless.

Let’s start with the container. It might come as a surprise but a plastic storage container isn’t a good choice. It’s prone to trapping moisture which can lead to irreversible water damage.

Instead, invest in an archival photo storage box. It’s made from paper that’s free from acid and lignin and won’t break down over time. Plus, not only will it keep it safe from moisture, but also other harmful elements like light and chemicals:

In addition to the right storage box, you’ll also want to have stationery for adding notes. You can, for example, use a photo-safe pencil or sticky notes. 

If you’ve been storing your photos in a photo album and want to remove them and any adhesive residue, household staples like dental floss and a blowdryer will come in handy. The dental floss can be used to loosen the photo gently from the backing. Then, to remove any residue glue, turn on your blow dryer to a low-heat setting and slowly move it over the glue area. Alternatively, you can buy a commercial product used to remove glue residue. Just double-check to see that it’s safe to be used on photo paper. 

Step 4: Get organizing

Now, the fun part can finally start. It’s time to start organizing all the photos that you’ve gathered. 

Think back to the goal you’ve identified — why you’re tackling this project — and let that guide you. 

For most, it makes the most sense to organize it chronologically. 

The challenge, though, is when the dates are missing. That said, it doesn’t have to be 100% correct. 

If you honestly have no idea what was taken when and timelines are a big blur, an alternative is to organize it around a theme. You can, for example, choose to dedicate a photo album or box just to one family member. Other ideas for sorting include hobbies like sporting events or milestones like birthdays, weddings, or family holidays. 

Even if your goal wasn’t necessarily to win back space, now is the perfect opportunity to eliminate low-quality photos. You know, those where someone’s head got chopped off or those photos that are out of focus. If you have a number of the same shot, pick the best ones and say goodbye to the others. 

To help ensure that your photo memories remain safe and secure for years for the next generations, it’s also a good idea to take the extra step and digitize your photos. Essentially, you want to make backup copies of your pics. 

Just make sure that the format you choose will still be accessible years down the line. Very few computers still have a CD drive. USB ports are also becoming less popular. As such, it’s best to use cloud storage. 

If you still have the negatives of the photos, keep these with the set photos. As an extra safety precaution, it can also be a good idea to scan these in and label them accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you organize photos on your iPhone?

One of the best ways to organize your photos on your iPhone is to use the Albums feature. To create a new album, you open the Photos app. Select the Albums tab and click on the Add button (+). You’ll be prompted to create a name for your album. Then, to add photos to specific albums, you only need to tap on the photos you want to add. After selecting the photos, tap the Share button (it looks like a block with an arrow pointing up), tap Add to Album, and select the album.

What device should I use to organize my digital photos?

The short answer is that you can use any smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or notebook. As for which software to use, one of the best software solutions is Mylio because of its user-friendliness. It’s easy to use, but if you should get stuck, you can check out its extensive library with video tutorials. What’s more, it’s available free of charge.

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Education

How to organize family photos

by Dima

Learn how to organize old photos and get rid of clutter. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of family photos await to be taken out of boxes and old HDDs and organized efficiently and stylishly.

Old photos overwhelm us with memories. They follow our families’ paths, capture milestones, and help us grow roots. We love to look at them from time to time, whether we take out photo albums at family parties or scroll through digital folders and files. But not many of us love to organize old family photos. And because we gather lots of them, they soon become cluttered and end up in a box or on a lost hard disk. It makes finding a particular photograph or album impossible, so we avoid the mess and struggle and stop looking at old photos altogether.

So, what can one do with hundreds of family photos to avoid abandoning them in a forgotten place? Here are the best methods to organize physical and digital photographs and have them at hand all the time.

1. How to Organize Old Digital Photos (The best way):

Digital photos don’t take physical space but fill up your laptop’s hard disk, smartphone’s SD card, or cloud storage. And navigating through an unorganized lifetime of digital photos is as hard as looking through your boxes in the garage. But there is a difference: you already have all the tools for organizing digital family photos right there on your device. You have boxes (aka folders), labels (aka file and folder names), search mechanisms, and sorting tools. And you can hardly run out of space.

So, the best way to organize old photos is building a simple system. Not one that you will forget tomorrow, but one that stands the test of time. For that you need categories and sub-categories, a naming system, and a workflow. For example, you can divide your old photos using the criteria date, location, family member(s), event, and so on. Of course, each category is a folder that may have sub-categories (sub-folders). You can then decide to name your digital files using the name structure year-month-location-person name-occasion and place them in the correct folder.

However, making everything from scratch may take some time. It’s a good system when you start with tens of photos, but when you already have a few hundred to gather from various locations and organize, you may get a headache. That’s where photo organizing software comes in.

Use Photo Organizing Software

You may already have photo organizing software pre-installed on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Many device providers take care of that. However, pre-installed software isn’t necessarily the best option for you because it is designed for a particular device. For example, you can’t share photos with your family using the pre-installed software on your computer. Furthermore, if you change the device (let’s say going from an Android phone to an iPhone), all your organizing work may be lost. So, if you decide to organize your family photos using photo organizing software, choose a universal app that can be used via browser or installed on any device. You’ll be able to grant your family access to your old photo collection without worrying about what device they use, keep your photos in a secure place, and learn a single program. To help you understand what using photo organizing software means, we will guide you step by step through one of the best photo managers on the market, Mylio.

Download/Install/Sign in

Mylio is a universal program that supports a variety of devices, such as Windows and Mac computers, Android phones and tablets, and iPhone and iPad devices. It has a free version, Mylio Photos, and a paid one, Mylio Photos+, with a 30-day free trial. It’s always a good idea to install free software or a free trial version to see if it fits your workflow before buying it.

To install Mylio on a computer, all you have to do is create an account on Mylio.com, download the app for your device, and double-click the installation kit. To install Mylio on a smartphone or tablet, you need to use the app store on your device (Google Play for Android devices and App Store for iOS devices). Search for Mylio Photos and tap Install (Android) or Get (iOS).

After installation, open the app and log in using an existing account or creating a new one. You are now ready to organize your photos.

Adding Devices to Your Mylio Photos Library

One of the best things about Mylio, one that you should look for in other apps as well, is keeping all your family photos in one place called a Vault. A Vault is a device or cloud service that can store your entire photo collection and its organizing information (e.g., catalogs, etc.). It may be an external hard disk or a secure cloud service, but also a computer with a large internal hard disk or a phone with a large SD card.

To add a device to your Mylio library, select Devices from the Dashboard and click on ADD. Then choose the type of device you want to add and continue the setup process step-by-step. Mylio’s interface is intuitive and guides you throughout the entire process.

Import/Export Photos

Once you’ve set up the location where you want to keep your family photos, it’s time to import them into the Mylio library. You want all your photos in the same place, not scattered across drives, memory cards, and cloud services.

Mylio provides tools for importing your old photos from internal and external hard disks, memory cards, iOS and Android devices, online galleries and social media, and scanners. Practically, you can gather your photographs from everywhere. Moreover, you can choose whether you want to move them and free space or copy them and keep duplicates on the original devices.

Organizing

Organizing is the most difficult step, but the good news is you only have to do it once. Maintaining well-organized family photos is a breeze.

If your photos have metadata (additional information automatically saved by cameras, including the capture date, location, camera settings, author data, etc.), Mylio uses it to organize the pictures. The program lets you edit metadata, rename image files, create and manage categories, and rate your photos. For example, you can rate your old photographs based on their emotional value and later on search for the most important to you. Or you can let Mylio sort your photos chronologically based on metadata and view them in a calendar form.

If your old family photos are more about people than dates, Mylio’s face-tagging tool will come in handy. It is a face recognition tool that scans your images in search of people, and lets you identify them. Once a photo is tagged, it’s very easy to search for old photos of grandma or your youngest child. Each family member will have their own photo collection. Instead of manually looking for pictures of a particular family member, renaming the files, and saving them in a tree of folders, you have Mylio do the job for you.

Managing

Now that your old photos are well-organized and safely stored in a Vault, managing them becomes much easier. You can search using the categories and ratings you’ve created, add new albums or merge existing ones, check for duplicates and remove them (Mylio does it automatically), look for similar images, and create backups. Photo organizing software such as Mylio offers multiple views and allows you to browse by date or location but also to look just at a particular album or folder. They also provide sorting criteria, zoom tools, and filters. You’ll never lose a photo again.

2. How to Organize Printed Old Family Photos

When your family’s old photos are on paper, you have a little bit more organizational work to do. First of all you need to put together a tool kit that includes acid-free albums, boxes, and labels. Then you need to decide where to keep the photos because old photos require a dry and cool storage space, far away from sunlight. Printed photographs fade in time, don’t resist humidity, and are easily damaging.

The next step is similar to organizing digital photos: create a system. You can categorize your family photos based on a person, date, or part of the family (e.g., my mother’s side, my husband’s relatives, etc.). Once you figure out the large categories, create sub-categories to help you search faster.

While you can easily rename digital files, labeling printed photos is more complicated. Writing on the back of the print may damage the photo. Furthermore, over time, the photo and the ink may age differently, and you may end up seeing the label through the paper. If you put your photos in albums, add labels on the album’s pages. If you store them in boxes, use envelopes for each sub-category and list the labels on the envelope.

To avoid printed photos stick together, put a thin paper sheet between them then put the batch into an envelope or box.

Family photo collections that cover a few generations should also be scanned and preserved as digital files. Photos from the beginning of photography, when the printing process wasn’t very good, will soon fade, making their content unrecognizable. Scanning your printed photos has another benefit: it allows you to use photo organizing software and reduce the time and energy spent organizing photographs.

Nevertheless, if you like how your old family photos look on paper, transform them into photo books. Photo books hold multiple images on one page, allow labels and notes, and offer a broad range of design options. They are great to take out at a family reunion without worrying that someone will damage the photos.

Conclusion

It’s not easy to organize 30 years or more of family photos, but it’s a pleasant activity. It allows you to relive important moments of your family’s life and reconnect with your family members. Furthermore, if you do it right, you only have to do it once. Using photo organizing software creates a structure and workflow that won’t let you drift away from order. It will be much easier to stay organized than to break the order. So use the organizing tools at your disposal and arrange your old photos to match your preferences, usage, and style.

FAQ

What is the best way to store photos forever?

Having a digital copy of your photographs is probably the best way to store your family photos. You can create secure backups in cloud-based locations or on external hard disks, share them with your family members and ensure they have a copy too, and look at them using any device. You don’t have to carry them when you move or worry about humidity in your apartment. They are safe forever.

What is the best free program to organize photos?

Mylio is the best free photo manager that allows you to have all your family photos in one place, provides intuitive tools for organizing image files, and lets you access your photo collection from any device. The app features automatic organizing tools that use metadata to categorize your photos, face recognition, rating, quick searching for duplicates and bad shots, and essential editing tools. It offers everything you need to organize and manage old photos.

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