Gathering Around Virtual Photo Album

If you are involved at all with any social networking sites, it's probably a safe bet to assume that you have at least a few pictures of yourself up and maybe those of some close friends as well. Even if you are a novice participant in those arenas, you probably have a blog or at least a cool image that you have set as an avatar that you share with others on your IM program of choice.

As more and more people open up large segments of their lives to the ever-expanding online global community, the popularity of websites dedicated solely to photo sharing continues to grow. Sites like Photobucket have been used for years as huge image repositories for blogs and websites.

These types of sites have led to the birth of massive photo sharing hubs such as Shutterfly, Kodak EasyShare, Snapfish, Flickr, and SeeHere, just to name a few.

Now you may know the names, but you might be sitting there scratching your head because the only experience you have with actually sharing photos is analog, not digital. Meaning, you snap the photo, get the prints, and hand them out in cards or in person when sitting around with a group. With photo sharing sites, the digital age has made it possible for the photo to actually be the card...or the t-shirt...or the paperless album...and to travel from person-to-person with a simple click of the mouse.

So, how does digital photo sharing actually work? Basically it brings the old family stand-by of gathering around the photo album and exchanging laughs, smiles, a few tears, but mostly warm memories in the company of those you love to the digital universe. Family time essentially goes 21st century. For little to no cost, you can join a site to backup any and all photos you have via transfer from a digital camera, scanner or other USB photo-sharing device. You can build photo albums and even transfer your most precious images onto cups, shirts, or posters. These can become unique gifts that are way cooler than just handing Dad that extra set of graduation prints you don't need. For a small fee, some sites even offer the ability to create a customized album so that family and friends can purchase as many photos from a particular album or as many gifts with your lovable image plastered on them as they want.

Shutterfly, for example also offers free, unlimited full-resolution picture storage. A free personalized website package comes with the service and they throw in 50 free 4x6 prints with your initial sign-up. Most of these sites also have great shipping deals for any prints, cards, or other custom items you might want to create.

Snapfish, according to most sources, has the best price at $.09 for professional-quality prints. They also offer talking photo cards and 50 free prints for new customers.

Kodak EasyShare has an option that lets you send rolls of film. They have also partnered with Martha Stewart to offer a beautiful design line for photo cards and have an assortment of cards in Spanish as well.

SeeHere offers unlimited free uploads and in-store pickups at Walmart of prints stored online in your free web albums.

So what has been your most memorable online photo sharing experience? Any good sites that you love not listed above? Add a comment and let us know what you think about sharing photos via the web.