Well, everyone has their limits. I know some parents who just won't share their children's names on social media or others that hand select a few pictures. The majority however, share everything - and who could blame them? Kids are cute and it's so hard to resist! CGB and I have decided that family photos are okay, and so is the occasional "too cute not to share", but in general we keep BBH out of focus or off social networks simply in respect to her future self. Like us, when she's older, she can share all the baby pics of herself that she wants.
So what's a proud mama to do? My iPhone is chock FULL of photos and videos just begging to be cooed and fawned over. And besides, even the over-sharers know there are just some videos and pics you would only want family to see.
Well, here's how my proud parent bug is satiated:
Apple's Shared Photo Streams:
One of the latest iOS updates made shared Photo Streams available. Shared Photo Streams are the easiest way I've found to share photos in my Camera Roll with just the people I choose. Friends and family are invited to subscribe via email and every time I add a photo to my stream, they can leave comments and "like" it. In fact, they get notified automatically when I add a new photo or when comments are added. It's our own private social network for photos!
It's become such a hit, each of our family members has their own stream and we share everyday photos with just a tap of the finger. Learn more about it here. Only available for Apple devices.
Fantastic for photos, but what about video? Well, I'm addicted to:
Joya - Send Mobile Family Videos
Pretty much anything you can do with the streams, Joya does for mobile videos. In addition, the beauty of this app is that it takes all the technology out of sharing videos. Viewers don't need the app (unless they want to view and keep all your videos on their mobile device). Also, unlike Photo Streams, this app is device agnostic, android/apple they're all friends here.
No more grainy videos via MMS or fiddling with attachments and downloads. No need to worry about what kind of file extensions I have or finding the right program to play the video. I just upload within the app, and a private link can be sent via SMS or email to Grandma - all she has to do is click and my full length, full quality video plays in a browser window.
With Joya I don't worry about who is viewing my videos. I don't have to take time setting anything to private or editing lists because I invite and send videos directly to my family and friends. It doesn't sit on YouTube somewhere or semi-hidden in Facebook. In addition, I get a notice every time one of my friends or family watch a clip. It brings a smile to my face knowing they can get a little nugget of BBH's world anytime they want.
Just like the Photo Streams, we've expanded our usage beyond baby. I have family members sending vacation videos, funny pet clips and even special messages to BBH to get her accustomed to their faces and voices (wayyy better than just photos!). The privacy element actually makes the experience very personal. Download it for free here!
The funny thing is, with these private options available, I actually share more than I would have with just social media. I think I average about a photo every other day and a video ever other week! BBH just started crawling about two weeks ago, so I've got quite the bevy of videos taking up my Joya stream these days!
Disclaimer: All views and opinions are my own. Full disclosure: Though I had the privilege of working with the Joya team, I was not compensated or asked to write about this app I simply love :)
