Photo Sharing Sites - Soon to be EX Phanfare.com User!

[jmr_arch]

I am not sure if there are a lot of Phanfare.com users, but I had recently starting using their site to post photos, which was great. I could send my weblink to anyone and they can view my photos. It had unlimited storage and FULL SIZE photo uploads. Users could also download entire full size albums with ease.

Today I got an email telling me about their new format and I get upgraded today. I am not happy with the changes they are making, for everything I liked, that had I joined for will no longer work. Basically they are making it a more "online community" and all acess to the user galleries will be by invitation only through our main page, YUCK!

So I am looking for advice on other photo sites...There are so many and I have looked into all of them and thought phanfare was the best for my needs. So any real-world recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I am really not intereted in Flickr.

I am looking for great design (or the ability to design a page layout), ability to send links to others of our galleries, and for ease of user downloads.

Thanks.

[KenG]

zenfolio does all you indicated and more...

[jmr_arch]

Thanks Ken. Zenfolio does look the most promising.

[koalagurl]

Another soon to be Ex Phanfare user here too...

I LOVED the site as is...but the deal breaker for me is that they are turning OFF the feature that lets me share photos without letting those I share with download the high res file. I love to share, but I love being able disable the downloading feature.

I had signed up to do Beta testing for the new site, but haven't heard anything yet about upgrading.

[azneric3]

www.zenfolio.com is the best.

If you'd like I have a referral code in my sig that can get you $5 off your account.

[jmr_arch]

Koalagurl, did you sign up with phanfare just recently? I actually just got refunded my yearly fee for I had just signed up in December. They offered me to keep a new "free account" which I accepted for I do have family members who were using the site too. I am now looking into better things....like zenfolio perhaps...

The upgrading is their 2.0 version, which is being phased in up to June or so. I got bumped up to an earlier upgrade because a family member joined recently and invited me to their photos. 2.0 is not what I signed up for and it's not as easy to share photos, at least how I had intended. I am sure it will work for many people but it's not what I was looking for. Happy hunting.

[Dave_PM]

Well I have recently been through quite a few photos sharing site and ended up leaving them for technical reasons as well. I am now with SmugMug and love what you can do with your albums and the way it all come together. Furthermore something that has really impressed me is the technical support. Within a few hours of asking for help you have it via e-mail. Now I have not come across a site that has such a prompt technical section.
http://www.smugmug.com/

[koalagurl]

My subscription for the year is just about up, so I'll probably play around with the new site until I need to renew in March.

I do have to say that I am really impressed with Phanfare's support. I emailed the owner (Andrew) and we ended up trading a bunch of emails about the security changes I didn't like. It turns out, they are thinking of possibly adding it back in. I am impressed I even got a response at all!

Beta testing (though the 2.0 release is out to new subscribers) is better than I thought, but still the downloading of hi res files is my issue.

I tried Smugmug a few years ago, and hated it since I couldn't upload a bunch at a time. I was left trying to upload folders in batches. That was super annoying! I wonder if uploading is as easy as Phanfare?? (That to me was my favorite part of Phanfare; the desktop client that made uploading a breeze.)

[I Simonius]

I am looking for great design (or the ability to design a page layout), ability to send links to others of our galleries, and for ease of user downloads.

Thanks.

I went with Smugmug after checking al the others out - my personal choice and my recommendation. They do all you ask plus, and a big plus, their customer service is exceptional;)

my referral code if you want to give them a try:jS8X1Sapu33tY

[Packhorse-4]

I’m very pleased with SmugMug! I’ve been using them for a couple of years now and they have several ways to share your photos and your galleries with friends and Family. I’m using the standard account but I can upload unlimited pictures into galleries I want to share and galleries I don’t want to share.

I tried Smugmug a few years ago, and hated it since I couldn't upload a bunch at a time. I was left trying to upload folders in batches. That was super annoying! I wonder if uploading is as easy as Phanfare?? (That to me was my favorite part of Phanfare; the desktop client that made uploading a breeze.)

Uploading pictures has been improved since your last experience. You now have multiple ways to upload multiple pictures. They even have a way to select an entire folder for upload. I use a Lightroom preset to export my pictures to a folder for SmugMug and then just send the entire folder up when I’m ready.

They also make it easy to link your photos into forum posts.

[koalagurl]

Uploading pictures has been improved since your last experience. You now have multiple ways to upload multiple pictures. They even have a way to select an entire folder for upload. I use a Lightroom preset to export my pictures to a folder for SmugMug and then just send the entire folder up when I’m ready.

They also make it easy to link your photos into forum posts.

Good to know! The last time I tried, I went to upload pictures in a folder, and it told me it was too much to do at one time. I didn't want to sit there, pick x number of files in a folder, upload, then remember where I left off.

[TraceyA]

Just so everyone knows..if you put Phanfare in the code part during the smugmug sign up you will get 50% off :)

[Ham1]

Just so everyone knows..if you put Phanfare in the code part during the smugmug sign up you will get 50% off :)

Yes, use the: phanfare code for 50% off as well as if you want to copy your photos over from Phanfare to SmugMug, we have built a firefox plugin: http://smugglr.smugmug.com/

Until Phanfare API gets updated, the tool only works on Phanfare 1.0 version.

NOTE: Phanfare has been really kind in allowing people to downgrade their 1.0 from the 2.0 version in order to use the SmugMug tool. You just need to email their customer support and ask them to do it.

Markham

[I Simonius]

]Uploading pictures has been improved since your last experience. You now have multiple ways to upload multiple pictures. They even have a way to select an entire folder for upload. I use a Lightroom preset to export my pictures to a folder for SmugMug and then just send the entire folder up when I’m ready.

The options for uploading have increased ( and improved tremendously) - but like you my favourite is the SM uploading direct from Lightroom!

[Ham1]

The options for uploading have increased ( and improved tremendously) - but like you my favourite is the SM uploading direct from Lightroom!

Not only are there plugins to Lightroom and Aperture, we also are built in natively to Bridge CS2 and CS3. Photoshop Elements 5 & 6.

Also, ACDSee, iPhoto, Picasa, and many other organizational tools. :)

[EnronRocks]

Another one for Zenfolio, which it seems you have chosen or are looking at from your signature link. They are worth it!