After a party, the best photos are scattered across a dozen phones. Someone starts a group chat, a few people send a handful of shots, and the rest never get shared. Nobody sorts it out.
A QR code photo album fixes that. Guests scan one code and their photos go into a single shared album. And yes, it is free to start: the free tier supports up to 7 guest uploaders per event. If you want to see how the code side works, our guide to making a QR code for free covers it, and the same idea is behind free event photo sharing.
How a QR code photo album works
The host creates an event, names it and picks an end time. That is the whole setup.
sync.camera then gives the event a QR code and an eight-character invite. The host shows the code, or shares the invite link with people who are not in the room.
Guests scan the code and join. No account is required, and any modern phone browser works through the invite link. The iOS and Android apps are optional. They add better camera controls and push notifications for new photos.
Once guests are in, they add photos straight to the shared album. See guest upload for more on that side, and QR code albums for the bigger picture.
The invite pass: hold it up and everyone is in
Each event has an invite pass with a large QR code and a join code. Hold it up at the door and guests can scan it and join in seconds.
Not everyone is in the room? The host can share the invite link instead of the code. It works well in a group chat.
A printed table card works the same way. Guests scan it to join. Read more about QR code invites, or see how it plays out at a wedding.
Choose when guests see the photos
There are three reveal modes. During means guests see photos live as they are taken. After the event means the gallery unlocks when the event ends. Additional delay unlocks it a set number of hours after the event ends.
Moments split an event into stages, such as ceremony, reception and after-party. Each stage has its own QR code and reveal timing, and guests move between them without switching apps.
See reveal modes for the details.
Who it is for
Wedding couples
Put a QR code on each table card so guests scan and add candids to one album, then open it together when the event ends.
Birthday party hosts
Hold up the invite pass at the door so friends join in seconds, with the reveal set so nobody peeks until the next day.
Group trip organisers
Share one invite link in the group chat so everyone adds photos to a single album instead of sending them one by one.
Small team or family events
Stay on the free tier with up to 7 guest uploaders, and upgrade for that one event only if the guest list grows.
Features
Scan to join
Guests join from a QR code or an eight-character invite. No account required.
Works in the browser
Any modern phone browser works through the invite link. Installing the iOS or Android app is optional.
Reveal modes
During, After the event, or Additional delay: you decide when the gallery opens.
Moments
Split an event into stages, each with its own QR code and reveal timing.
Filter by photographer
Narrow the album to one contributor's shots.
Export your favorites
Pull out the photos you want to keep.
Privacy by design
We don't sell your photos or your data. No ads. No cross-app tracking. Photos are encrypted in transit and stored in event-scoped buckets.
Frequently asked questions
Is a QR code photo album really free?
Yes, to start. The free tier supports up to 7 guest uploaders per event. SYNC PRO is a one-time purchase, not a subscription, that expands the guest and photo limits for a single event.
Do guests need an account or the app?
No account is required. Guests join from the QR code or an eight-character invite, and any modern phone browser works through the invite link. The iOS and Android apps are optional and add better camera controls and push notifications for new photos.
How do I set up the album?
Create an event, name it and pick an end time. Then show the QR code or share the invite link with your guests, and they can start adding photos.
Can I hide photos until the event is over?
Yes. Reveal modes let you choose During, After the event, or Additional delay, which opens the gallery a set number of hours after the event ends. Learn more on the reveal modes page.
What happens when I need a bigger event?
Upgrade again only when you create a larger event. SYNC PRO applies per event, so the free tier stays available for your smaller ones.
Who can see the photos, and are they private?
Photos are encrypted in transit and stored in event-scoped buckets, with access enforced by per-event row-level security. sync.camera does not sell your photos or data, shows no ads and does no cross-app tracking. It does use pseudonymous product analytics and a crash reporter. See privacy controls.