Yesterday we had a school event and I got home and realized I hadn’t taken ONE photo. Not one.  As someone who typically Instagrams everything from cool cracks in the sidewalk to sunsets, and even uses “Instagrams” as a verb, I was shocked at myself… and a little mad.  After all, how in the world was I going to make a video of the event.  Wait…. I may not have taken photos, but other people did. Lots of people.  Lots of perspectives on the event.  Close ups, group shots, video clips.  Their phones, iPads, and cameras were snapping, clicking, and recording moments.   So, maybe I could ask everyone to email me their favorites, or worse, put them on a flash drive that would fill up in about 3.2 seconds.  No way.  Then I saw it like a little superhero with a cape…. Google Photos!  Just HOW easy would it be for me to create an album in Google Photos and send the link out to everyone?  Since we’re a Google Apps school, it was easier than shaking a Polaroid. (Note: If you don’t know what that means, please pretend you do… because I’m apparently getting older than I’ll ever admit.)

1.) Visit the album link:  I created this  Sample Shared Album and you are welcomed to add a photo it to try out the tutorial below.  

2.) Click the “+”  Button on the top right to add photos from your computer.

NOTE: Google will ask you to click “Got It” a few times when you first try this. 🙂

3.) To add photos, you must “Join” the album.  This gives you permission, and it will show up in your “Shared Albums” in your own Google Photos so you have access.  

4.) Once you are a member of the album, you will see a tiny image of an “image” on the toolbar up top.  Click it and you will get access to your computer to select any photos and/or videos you have to share.  Add a photo to the sample album to try it out! 

5.) Select photos and click “OPEN” and your photos will be added to the shared album.  

A FEW MORE HELPFUL TIPS:

*Create a monthly, event based, or yearly album for your classroom or gradelevel and add photos to it.  Share with parents and they can download the photos they’d like to keep.  No CD of photos to burn or flash drives to fill up!

*Get the Google Photos app on your phone, tablet, or iPad and easily access photos from your phone on your computer, and vice versa!   [Android] [Apple]  [Tutorial on the App]

*Install the app on a classroom set of iPads and students can add anything that saves to the camera roll to a shared album to share with you!  Create an album for each student, show them how to add to it, and have an instant portfolio!  A portfolio that parents can download at the end of the year… and students CHOOSE what to add.