SmugMug

We are very pleased to have found SmugMug, which is a photo storage (and much more) service online for all Photographers, both Professional and Hobby/Amateur.

Not only are they an American-owned company (father/sons team in California), but they utilize local US print shops (if that is what the end user chooses.)  They are growing fast and wow, they recently acquired Flickr!!  (Note: all of the paper and products used in the printing may not be American-sourced, but the actual work is done by American employees.)

This is a link to their Pricing Plans.

Next… we LOVE the vision of SmugMug.  From their About Us page:

“Most services would have you believe your stories are worth only what advertisers are willing to pay. Gone in 24 hours. Not worth the original pixels. They believe your stories are transient, disposable noise.”

“As technology changes the way we consume and create photographs, storytelling remains above the static: it’s a language for people, not machines. It’s utterly human.”

“We’re for photographers, by photographers. We just love photos. Show us yours.”

For Photographers:

SmugMug provides photographers with the ability to build a custom photo website (no coding needed), sell prints around the world on 100’s of items including wall art with local print shops (right here in the USA), have unlimited photo storage, create both private and public galleries.  These galleries can be used as portfolios to attract new business and drive sales, and the private ones are perfect for client shoots like boudoir, high school or family portraits, and corporate clients that need everything locked behind a password.

For Consumers:

SmugMug is a way to have unlimited photo storage.  Uploading your photos to social networks is great, but what happens when your account gets hacked, reported and closed?  If you cannot recover it, your memories are gone, especially for your images that are marked private.  By creating a SmugMug account you can have unlimited photo storage which you control.  That means your memories are safe, and you can create a way to easily display them for friends and family.

The friends and family galleries can be set to public or private, family members can purchase prints of your kids, reunions or vacation photos on magnets, in photo books and more, so they don’t have to ask you for files and wait to find a quality print shop.  SmugMug accounts can also be streamed to an apple TV so you can have your favorite memories work as a back drop during get-togethers and parties.