Instantly Framed Review: Framed Photos From Your Smartphone

by Kristina Rust Photography

If you are like me you probably have hundreds thousands of photos on your smartphone.  While it's nice to scroll through them to relive the moments, it's even better to have your favorite images printed and hanging on your wall.

But the fact is it takes some effort to get them off your phone and on your walls. This is why I am a new fan of the app Instantly Framed.  Instantly Framed is a smartphone app that provides a simple process for printing, framing, and shipping your photos from your camera.  Whether you are using Instagram photos, Facebook photos, or photos from your camera roll, all you have to do is upload the image and in 3 days you will have a beautiful print delivered to your door.

Instantly Framed uses archival printing materials and a beautiful walnut framing in a soft black finish.   You can choose from 3 different print sizes that are in an acid-free archival mat which fit a 12" x 12" frame.  And they've made displaying your framed print easy by providing an option for hanging or using the easel backing.

I had the opportunity to try out Instantly Framed and was thrilled with the beautiful framed photo I received.  Ordering was very easy.  All I had to do was download the app, select a photo (which ended up being the hardest part), choose a photo size and hit send.   The print arrived carefully packed in 3 days.   No more waiting for prints to arrive from the printer (or printing it myself only to realize I'm running low on ink), running around hunting for frames and assembling everything once I finally get it all together.  Now I can just Print. Frame and Ship.

The video below shows you just how simple the process is.




Instantly Framed's flat rate is $65 which includes shipping in the United States.  You can receive $10 off your order (through February 15, 2015) by using the code CIMOMSCLICK10.

Disclosure: I received a framed photo from Instantly Framed for the purposes of this post. This does not influence my opinions of the company or the product. 

MyPublisher Photo Book Review

I finally put together a photo book from our trip to the beach during this year's spring break and this time I tried out MyPublisher.  I've used a variety of different photo book making services and I think I just found my new favorite.  

MyPublisher offers 4 different landscape sizes from soft cover mini books (starting at $2.99) to deluxe hardcover books (like what I made pictured above, with price starting at $59.99). You can also choose from a variety of different cover options including photo finish where the image is printed directly on the cover (like my example), removable book jackets, and linen or leather covers which feature a customizable front window frame for a photo or text.

Although it is not web-based, making a book is simple to do.  Just download the software, create your book using their fully customizable layouts/templates and upload and order when you're done.  What I really like about MyPublisher is that the focus is on the images themselves and clean design and less on scrapbooking elements.  

Below you'll see the user interface which is very intuitive.  I also like the Quick Start Guide on the sidebar which serves as a handy reminder of the steps involved in creating your book.  

When you are finished creating your book, you can choose to upgrade the paper (which I did and fully recommend for the additional $3.99) as well as upgrade to lay flat (where the binding technology keeps pages laying flat when the book is open for an additional $45).  There are also additional accessories you can choose to really make your book unique like a memorabilia pocket, presentation box or photo window box.  

For those of you who might consider using MyPublisher for a client, you can remove the MyPublisher logo for a $10 fee however you can not upload your own logo.

Overall, I am very impressed with the quality of my book.  The images are sharp and the colors look great as you can see from some of my page examples below.  And again, the upgraded paper really feels like an upgrade unlike some other companies I've used.  

If you have not tried MyPublisher, I encourage you to give them a go.  And be sure to check out their special offer to new customers where you can receive a free additional book (buy one get one) by providing your email address on their site.

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a free book in exchange for this review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own.

Keyprop--The Simplest Stand and Clap to Snap App

I recently had the opportunity to check an amazing smartphone accessory called the Keyprop by Integral Design that I know you are going to love.  It is the perfect companion to the camera that you always have with you....your smartphone.

Now when you want to actually get in a photo, you have any easy and secure way to prop up your phone and you don't even have to take off you phone case.  There is nothing to assemble, open or stick on.  It is so simple!

For all smartphones, just insert the prong into the headphone jack and Keyprop rests against the front panel to prop up your phone.  For iPhone5, the bottom prong can also fit right into the Lightning dock. To adjust the angle all you need to do is prop the stand on your keys.

I love the design of the Keyprop, it is shaped like a key and easily slides onto your key ring.  It truly is the perfect design.

Take it from me, I have tried two other accessories designed to prop up your phone but they are much bigger and bulkier.  And honestly, I rarely take them out with me because it is one more thing to put in my already heavy purse. 

Right now Integral Design is in the midst of securing funding through Kickstarter.  For a pledge as little as $15 you can be one of the first to get this awesome product.

In addition to designing the Keyprop, Integral Design is also developing a self-timer app called KeyCam.  This self-timer is unique in that no longer do you have to push a button and run to get into the frame....now all you have to do is set up your camera and then clap.  Yes, you read that right, CLAP.  You can CLAP to SNAP.  Check out this video to see it in action.


KeyCam features in use from Integral Design on Vimeo.

To help kickstart the Keyprop and be one of the first to get this amazing product check out the Kickstarter Key Prop page.