If you're like me, you may just be getting around to printing your holiday photos. (It seems I'm a bit late with everything...I realized I hadn't even sent out a newsletter since Nov 30!) So if you still have a bunch of photos on your computer or in your camera, here are some tips on ways to make sharing your photos with your family and friends easier.

Tips on Sharing Your Digital Photos
Digital Camera & Equipment Sales
Digital Photo Software Sales/Promos
Digital Photo Printing Services Sales & Discounts

Sharing and Emailing Your Photos

SHARING PHOTOS AS EMAIL ATTACHMENTS

A lot of people try to simply attach photo files to an e-mail and send them. The problem is, photo files are big, usually several megabytes each, and even one or two photos can bog down the recipient's e-mail. And for those recipients who still have dial-up, it can be a real pain. One solution is to use photo software to automatically reduce the file size so you can send smaller attachments, right from the software program. It uses your e-mail client such as Outlook to send the e-mail. Virtually all photo editors have this capability.

TOO MANY PHOTOS TO SEND AS ATTACHMENTS?

Have you ever received an email with a dozen or more photos attached as separate files? I have. Usually I only get around to opening 2 or 3 of them. It's somewhat annoying to have to open, one by one, a dozen picture files. Therefore, it is a real advantage to be able to send--and receive--photos that have been automatically reduced in file size and embedded directly in an e-mail message. Plus, you're much more likely to get your recipients to actually look at your pictures.

Some e-mail programs, like AOL, will reduce the image size for you and embed the pictures in your e-mail, but not everyone has AOL. Outlook lets you embed photos in the e-mail (by using Insert > Picture), but the pictures are so large you can't see the full image without scrolling, unless you saved your pictures at a smaller size. So what to do? I would use a photo program that automates everything. Here are my favorites:

SOFTWARE FOR AUTOMATING PHOTO SHARING/EMAILING

Photoshop Elements 5.0: Lets you send photos within a themed e-mail with captions and backgrounds. It automatically optimizes your photos (reduces the file size) so they download quickly. Photoshop Elements 5.0 software also allows you to upload your photos directly into SmugMug galleries. Read my Photoshop Elements review and get a link to a free 30-day trial.

Corel Paint Shop Pro XI: Send photos as attachments or embed photos directly in the body of an e-mail. Paint Shop Pro Photo automatically resizes photos for e-mail so you don't have to open and resave. Read my review of Corel Paint Shop Pro XI

Send Photos: An inexpensive, easy-to-use photo sharing program that automatically reduces picture sizes and embeds within your e-mail. You just select the images you want to send, type in your e-mail message, add captions to the photos if desired, and choose a layout, border, stationery and background. Sweet and simple. Read my SendPhotos review.

ACDSee Photo Editor will automatically resize images for sending e-mail as attachments. While it doesn't have the capability to embed photos in an e-mail, it comes with SendPix, a free digital image sharing service. You can create albums of your images to share with your friends and family. The albums you create are stored on ACD Systems’ secure servers for 30 days. SendPix sends an e-mail to selected recipients who can then view your albums using a standard Web browser — no special software is required. Read my review and get link to a free 30-day trial. ACDSee is on sale. See Digital Photo Software sales below.

The above software programs also let you create slide shows, which you can share with family and friends. There can be some kinks in emailing a slide show, so I will give you some tips in the next newsletter.

USE A PHOTO SHARING SITE

Smugmug: The king of photo sharing. It's not a software program, but a sharing site. Smugmug is easy to use and offers lots of options. You upload your photos to their site and you can edit them and customize them with a variety of elegant templates. You'll also find a selection of presentation styles including thumbnail, thumbnails plus images, slide shows, and journals where you can include text. If you are technically inclined, Smugmug even supports html, CSS and Javascript so you can customize your album pages. There is a low yearly fee, but for all the features you get, it is well worth it to get unlimited photo storage and sharing. Read my Smugmug review and get a link to a free trial.

Digital Camera and Equipment Sales

• Get a free memory card--up to 1 GB of photo storage--with the purchase of one of 30 top cameras from Canon, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic, Nikon, and others. You can also apply the value of the free card to a higher-capacity card--up to 2 GB.
• Fuji Finepix V10 5.1 MP digital camera for only $149.99
• Samsung S800 8.1 MP digital camera for only $129.94
• Big rebates on qualifying Canon digital SLR cameras, single lenses, zoom lenses, Speedlites, or binoculars thru February 19, 2007. Double your rebate amounts on each item--for totals of up to $600 or more--when you buy two or more qualifying items.
  

Go to Amazon.com

» Walmart features lots of internet-only sales on digital cameras, printers and equipment that change regularly.

• Save up to $100 with Kodak Digital Camera Bundles Free shipping on all bundles.
• Free Kodak EasyShare Gallery Premier Subscription with purchase of the EasyShare One Camera
  

Shop the Kodak Store

Nikon Coolpix P4 Digital Camera: $299.99 - $10 Google Checkout Offer + No Sales Tax & Free Ground Shipping = Final Cost $289.99

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 Digital Camera Best Price Deal: Was $399.99, Now $299.99 + No Sales Tax & Free Ground Shipping

• Get $5 off any order over $25. Use coupon code AFFOFF2506 Thru Feb 28
• 25 Free Prints + FREE SHIPPING on up to 25 4x6 prints Code: FEBAFFSH25
  
• 20% off photo gifts at HP Snapfish Coupon code FEBAFFGFT20
• Special Promo: One free 11x14 poster print New customers only.

• Get a FREE Greeting Card. Use promo code: 19AF-CDS1 (expires February 27, 2007).
• 15% off personalized Photo Gifts. New Customer Offer (Expires February 20, 2007.)
  

• 25 Free Photo Cards: Use coupon code C7772-38-5112-51 (Expires 2/28/07)
• Get 50% off Photo Mugs
• Free Shipping. Use coupon code C622-38-5144-71 (Expires 2/28/07)
• 50% off all photo mouse pads. Coupon code C903-38-5113-31 Offer expires 2/12/07.
• Up to 30% off Photo Cards (don't forget Valentines Day)
  

Go to Photoworks.com

• 50% savings on Calendars (they can start on any month). Enter coupon code FRESHSTART. Offer expires 2/20/07.
• 20% off Kodak Gallery Photo Cards for Valentine’s Day Enter coupon code SWEETIE. Offer expires 2/14/07.
• Get a FREE collage for your loved one when you spend $25
• Buy 10 or more Martha Stewart Holiday Cards and get up to 35% off. No coupon required.
• Buy 10 or more Kodak Gallery photo cards and get up to 40% off!
  

PHOTOSTAMPS: Create your own U.S. postage stamps with your photo (great for weddings, graduations and other special occasions--you can even make a stamp with your pet's photo.

• Free shipping: Use promo code: SAVE. Expires 3/15/07.
  

Digital Photo Software - Sales, Rebates

Here are the current sales/promos on digital photo editing and organizing software as of Feb 8. They can change at any time. There are several rebates available too.

ACDSee Photo Editor On sale: Take $10 off when you BUY TODAY ( Read my review)

Save 20% on ACDSee 9 Photo Manager - only $39.99

Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 for Windows (reviewed here) is $99.99 full or $79.99 upgrade at Adobe.com. Get a free 30-day trial.

Corel Paint Shop Pro XI is $49.99 with free shipping at Amazon and a rebate.

Corel Photo Album 6 Deluxe is $29.99 at Amazon after rebate plus free shipping. Great program, too.

Microsoft Digital Image Suite only $29.99 with free shipping at Amazon

Happy Valentine's Day!