Share Your Photos Securely With Familiar

Last week I paused, looking intently at my almost 3 year old daughter as she stood in front of me showing off her new Belle dress.  When did this sweet baby of mine become a gorgeous brown-eyed, curly-haired little girl? My mother looked at the photos I took and told me my daughter reminded her of me as a little girl. Because I see her every day, the changes from my perspective are subtle. It’s when I look back at last year’s photos that I realize how much she’s changed and matured in just one year.

My husband always asks me why I take so many pictures…too many pictures…pictures that remain on hard drives and jump drives and smart phones.  You won’t see me out and about without a camera…even if it’s just my iPhone. I don’t want to miss a single memory…a single laugh… a first step…a lost tooth. Those photos are the only tangible memories I’ll have as my children grow up.  And thankfully I take that many pictures because both sets of grandparents and great grandparents bridge the gaps when they’re away via photos.

While our lives are not as private as most families, there are photos I never share online because I want to protect my children. Founded by a father who was concerned about online privacy, Familiar.com gives users the ability to share photos with a select group of friends and family members directly to their computer, iPad, or Smart Phone.

Once you’ve signed up and downloaded the private application (Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire), you can begin adding photos from you computer, smart phone, or tablet.  You can also sync your existing photos from Facebook, Picasa, SmugMug, and Flickr.  In order for friends and family members to view your photos on their computer, tablet, or smart phone, they’ll have to join Familiar (which is free).

Once you’ve set up your account, you can send photos privately to your friends and family members. Familiar will create a private social photo album and you’ll be able to send and receive photos from those who you add.

Here are my top 5 reasons why I like Familiar:

1. It’s free!

2. It’s easy to use. In just a few minutes, I was able to set up accounts on both my iPad and my iPhone.  It’s perfect for those who may not be tech savvy.

3.  It’s secure. Only those I designate can view my photos.

4.  It’s quick! Rather than having to download and upload photos, I was able to share those already stored in my accounts in just a few minutes.

5. It’s versatile.  You can use the app on your computer/laptop, smart phone (Windows PC/MAC), and tablet. I also like the interface with Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, and SmugMug.

Here is a quick video demonstrating Familiar: