Abstract: A user runs an album application on a digital device to generate a digital album and share the album with others. The album application creates a message with a first copy of the album and a link to a second copy of the album on a website hosted by a photo sharing provider. The first copy of the album is a small file because it contains low resolution versions of the photos and it uses a compact file format (e.g., Adobe Flash or HTML5). After the message is sent, the album application uploads high resolution versions of the photos to the photo sharing provider. A recipient of the message may view the first copy of the album in the message or click on the link to access the second copy of the album from the website hosted by the photo sharing provider. The recipient may order prints of the album from the photo sharing provider or a print provider working with the photo sharing provider. The recipient may further share the album by forwarding the message or the link to others.