How to Send Photos by Email

Whether you're sharing vacation pictures or sending an important chart to your team, knowing how to email photos quickly and in the correct way can save you a lot of time. However, the steps vary depending on your device and the email service you use - and large files come with their own challenge!

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to send photos by email. 

How Do You Send Multiple Photos by Email?

There are many ways to send several images by email. The right method depends mainly on the number of images, their size, but also what your email provider supports. 

Send Photos One by One as Attachments

This is the most intuitive method when you have only a few photos to send. Simply select your photos from your computer, gallery, cloud storage, or a URL, and attach them using the add file function. Most email software even allow you to drag and drop directly from your desktop into the email composition window.

Compress Photos Into a Zip File

When sending a large number of images or large photos, it may be useful to reduce the file size or dimensions of your photos. To do this, you can first use image optimization software such as Caesium, which allows you to resize and optimize the files. 

If you are sending multiple photos, another method is to gather them in a single folder, right-click on the folder, and then compress it into a Zip file. If your device does not have this feature, use a third-party tool such as 7-Zip.

Share Photos on Your Online Workspace

If you use an online workspace such as Google Drive or OneDrive, sharing photos is straightforward! Simply drop them into an online folder and share the link with your recipients.

This is a handy option for quickly sharing large files without cluttering up your inbox. It also makes it easier to share visuals with your team, like email signatures or branded assets. 

Use WeTransfer

Another effective option for large files is to avoid attachments altogether by using a file-sharing service

With a tool such as Wetransfer or Filemail, simply drop your large files onto the interface, then enter your professional or personal email address. The recipient will then receive a download link to your files.

Steps for Sending a Photo by Email

Want to keep it simple and send one or more photos one by one? Here's how to do it using the main email software program on desktop, as well as on a smartphone.

Depending on the Email Program

1. Open Outlook (web version or desktop application).
2. Click on New Message (top left).
3. Write your email (use an Outlook email template to save time!), enter the recipient's address(es).
4. Click on Attach a file (paperclip icon in the top sidebar) or Insert > Attach a file. You can select your photos from your computer or from the OneDrive cloud. By clicking on Insert, your photos will be embedded directly into the body of the message.
5. Choose your photos.
6. Click Send.

or

Select your photos and drag and drop them from your computer directly into the text box. The photos will automatically be added as attachments.

1. Open Gmail.
2. Click New message in the top left corner.
3. Write your message and enter your recipients.
4. Click on Attach files (paperclip icon at the bottom of the compose window) or Insert photos (frame icon). The first option allows you to import files (including photos) from your computer. The second option allows you to add photos directly from the Drive cloud, from your computer, or from a URL.
5. Select your photos by double-clicking on them or by clicking on Open.
6. Click on Send.

or

After opening a new message, select your photos from your computer and drag and drop them directly into the text box. Your photos will then appear in the body of the message.

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird. 
2. Click Write to create a new message.
3. Enter the recipient, subject and write your email. 
4. Click Attach (paperclip icon) in the top toolbar.  
5. Select your photos. 
6. Click Open. The images will appear as file attachments. 
7. Click Send. 

or

Drag and dro the photos directly from your computer into the email window. Thunderbird will ask you whether to Insert Inline (embed the images in the email body) or Attach the pictures. Choose your option then click send.

Note: You can also use Mozilla Thunderbird’s Filelink feature to share large files quickly, without attaching them directly to your email.

From a phone

iPhone

From the Mail app:

1. Open your Mail app.
2. Open a new message.
3. Tap in the body of the message, then click Insert Photo. You can also click Attach File (paperclip icon) at the bottom of the compose window, then choose Photo Library or Attach File.
4. Select your photos.
5. Tap Send, then choose the image quality if prompted. 

From the photo library/Photos app:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Tap Select in the top right corner.
3. Choose the photos you want to send.
4. Tap the share icon in the bottom left corner.
5. Select Mail: a new email will open with your photos already attached.

Android

From Gmail (default email app on Android):

1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Select Compose.
3. Tap Attach a file (paperclip icon).
4. Select your photos from Gallery or Files.
5. Tap Send.

From Gallery:

1. In your Gallery, select the photos you want to send.
2. Long press your selection, then tap Share (three connected dots or arrow).
3. Select your email app. A new email will open with your photos.
4. Enter your recipients and your message.
5. Tap Send.

*****

In just two or three clicks, even large photos can be shared quickly! All you have to do is choose the method that suits you best for sending your photos by email. And because life isn't just about still images, consider adding an animated email signature to make your communication more dynamic!