Uploading Photos

How do I add pictures using the Express Uploader?

The Express Uploader makes uploading your pictures simple. Before you begin, please make sure that all of the photos you want to upload are in JPEG format.

NOTE: If you have not already done so, download and install the Express Uploader.

Pictures can be added to albums in two ways:

• Browsing for pictures
  1. Click on Upload Photos.
  2. Create a new album or select an existing album, then click Next.
  3. From the Add photos to my Account page, click the browse for Photos button. This will open a separate window that will allow you to search the folders and files on your computer.
  4. When you find the photo(s) you want to upload, either double-click on them, or highlight them and click the Open button.
     
     Thumbnails of each photo will appear in the Express Uploader window.
  5. When finished, click the Upload button to send the pictures to the specified album.
• Drag and drop
  1. Click on Upload Photos.
  2. Create a new album or select an existing album, then click Next.
  3. Use Windows Explorer to open a separate window that will allow you to search the folders and files on your computer.
     
  4. When you find the photo(s) you want to upload, drag and drop each one onto the upload window. Thumbnails of each photo dropped there will appear in the Express Uploader window.
  5. When finished, click the Upload button to send the pictures to the specified album.
     

Note: If using Internet Explorer 8.0, you need to enable compatibility view to use the Express Uploader to the question, "Which upload tool should I use to upload my pictures?"

To Top

Which upload tool should I use to upload my pictures?

We offer two photo uploading tools - Express Uploader and One-by-One Photo Upload. Which tool you use may depend on your computer's operating system and Internet browser type.

One-by-One Photo Upload works with all browsers, in both Windows and Mac environments.

Express Uploader works in Windows using Internet Explorer 5.0 and above only.

To Top

How do I install the Express Uploader?

The Express Uploader makes uploading your pictures simple. Before you begin, please make sure that all of the photos you want to upload are in JPEG format.

To download and install the Express Uploader:

1. Click on Upload Photos.
2. Create a new album or select an existing album, then click Next.
3. If you don't have the Express Uploader already installed, you will come to a page that asks if you want to install it.
4. Click on Install.
5. You may be promoted with another message asking whether or not you want to install the software from the Publisher Pixami, Inc. Click on Install and the install will begin automatically.
   NOTE: If the program does not start, please disable any pop-up blockers on your browser.
6. Once you okay the installation, it will complete automatically and load the page with the Express Uploader.

You are now ready to Upload Photos.

To Top

I'm having trouble using the Express Uploader.

The upload control will not install if your Internet browser's security settings do not permit the installation and running of signed ActiveX controls.

To change the Internet Explorers security settings:

1. Click the Tools menu in your Internet browser.
2. Choose Internet Options
3. Then click the Security tab
4. Set the slider no higher than medium.
   As an alternative, if you wish to leave your Internet security setting at High, you can add creativememories.com/digital to the Trusted Sites zone and set the security level for that zone to Medium or Low instead.
5. Click OK to save the setting
6. Select the green Trusted Sites icon
7. Then, click the Sites button.
8. Type creativememories.com/digital in the top text area, then click Add. The "Require server verification" checkbox should be unchecked.
9. Click OK twice to save the setting.

The upload page also requires that a Java virtual machine be installed with your Internet browser. If you get an error regarding this, please go to Sun's Java page at www.java.com to download Java.

1. Sign into your Creative Memories Digital Center account
2. 2. Click the Tools or Page icon on the top of the Internet Explorer 8.0 browser
3. Select Compatibility View

To Top

What type(s) of image files can I send to my album?

Before you begin uploading images, make sure all of your photos are stored as JPEG (.jpg) files. The JPEG format allows us to provide you with the best-quality photographic prints.

If your images are saved in a format other than .jpg, you can use an image-editing application to convert the files.

To Top

How long does it take for my photos to upload to the site?

It can take as little as a few seconds or as long as several minutes to upload each image. The time will vary, depending on the speed of your Internet connection and the file size of the photo.

For example, it takes two to three minutes to upload a single 400 KB file over a typical 56kbps modem. It may take 30 minutes to upload 10 such images at this speed.

To Top

Can I upload photos taken with my film camera?

Film camera users can use the site by getting their pictures put onto photo CDs when getting pictures developed, and by using scanned negatives and prints.

Remember, images must be saved in the JPEG format in order to be uploaded to the site.

We do not currently offer film processing.

To Top

What are albums? How do we use them?

The primary way we "store" your photos is in virtual albums. Albums are our storage containers for your photographs.

We automatically name photo albums according to the date they are created. However, you can always rename them to reflect another date (e.g. the date they were taken) or some other name at your option.

When you want to create logical collections of images - such as family, vacations, etc. - you can then create one or more photo albums.

To Top

Orders

What are the shipping costs for prints?

The shipping cost is dependent on the number of prints. Generally, less than 10 - 4 x 6" prints incur a shipping cost of about $1.79 (plus applicable tax).

Shipping costs can be tracked by adding items to the Cart and moving down the checkout process. Payment information does not need to be entered until after the full total of the order, including shipping costs and applicable tax, is determined.

To Top

When will my order ship?

Processing times for products on the Photo Center vary. Please click here for more information.

To Top

When will I receive my order?

The time it takes for an order to reach you is dependent on when it ships - see When will my order ship? - as well as the shipping method you choose:

• First-Class mail typically takes 4-7 days, in addition to processing time.
• Priority mail (for most shipments) typically takes three days from the time the items are produced and shipped.
• Two-day and overnight shipping methods will be faster (Two days or one day from ship date. This is in addition to processing time).

To Top

How can I review my order before completing it?

When you have selected quantities and recipients, you'll go automatically to the Order review page. Choose shipping methods and review your order summary - be sure to check your shipping address, the size and quantity of items you have ordered - to make sure all information is correct.

Shipping charges and applicable tax are added automatically.

Follow the steps shown on-screen, and your order will be on its way!

Confirmation: When your order is complete, you'll see a screen with your order number and shipping information. Please print this page for your records - you cannot bookmark it. We will also send you a confirmation Email.

To Top

What happens if I need to cancel my order?

In rare occurrence you may need to cancel your order, you can contact Creative Memories. We will make every attempt to stop your order up to the time it ships. If cancelation is successful, you will be charged a $15 cancelation fee. Please note that we are only available to offer this cancelation option on items that are printed by Creative Memories.

To Top

How does Creative Memories Photo Center ensure the security of my transactions?

The privacy of your information is very important to us. If you have any questions, please see our Privacy Policy.

To ensure the security of your online transaction, Creative Memories Digital Center's payment pages encrypt data using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL technology, the industry-standard method for protecting Web communications, was developed by Netscape Communications Corporation. The SSL security protocol provides data encryption, server authentication, and message integrity. Because SSL is built into all major Internet browsers and Web servers, this security is automatic.

To Top

Can I order without using a credit card?

At this time, all purchases must be made by credit card.

A possible alternative may be to share your pictures and projects with a friend who has a credit card, and then have the friend order for you.

To Top

What payment methods are accepted?

The Digital Center accepts the following payment methods for all products:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Discover

The Digital Center employs industry-standard security to protect your credit card information and your privacy.

To Top

How can I review a history of my orders?

Your Order History shows a complete list of the orders you have placed on the Creative Memories Digital Center. You'll see the order number, order date, amount charged and status. You can also drill down to more details for each order.

To review your Order History:

1. Click My Account.
2. Then, click on Order History/Status

To Top

Can I send in a finished roll of film to be processed and printed?

We do not offer traditional film processing at this time. We recommend that you take the roll to a local photo retailer for developing.

If you want to share your photos online, ask for a CD with your order and upload your pictures to our site. Then you can have them printed at the Creative Memories Digital Center, and you will also be able share them through the Digital Center with your friends and family.

To Top

Sharing Photos, StoryBooks, and Page Prints

How can I share my photos with family and friends?

To share with family and friends:

1. Click My Photos at the top of the screen.
2. Select which photo(s) you want to share:
   • To share an entire album of photos, select the album by clicking the button under the album name.
   • To share only certain photos, click the album to open it or click the checkbox under the album and then select View and Enhance on the top menu, then use the checkboxes to select the photos you want to share.
3. In the Select Recipients box, enter the Email addresses of those you would like to share.
4. Click the Share button.

To Top

Our Products

How do I claim my free pictures?

The credit for the free prints will be automatically applied to your order when you check out. The free print credit is for 4 x 6 and 4XD prints.

NOTE: You will be responsible for shipping and applicable tax, but the prints themselves are on us!
To Top

What are the current prices for Photo Center prints and products?

For up-to-date pricing information for prints and gifts, see our Pricing page.

To Top

Does the Creative Memories Digital Center offer services to those living outside the U.S. and Canada?

Currently, the Creative Memories Digital Center ships to the U.S. and Canada only.

To Top

My Account

I forgot my password. How can I log in?

Just click on the Forgot password? link (located just above the Sign in button on the home page), enter your Email address, and click Next.

A temporary password will be sent to your Email address. Use it to log in, then change the temporary password to one of your choice by using the My Account link.

To Top

How do I change the name and/or e-mail address on my account?

To change the name and/or Email address associated with your account:

1. Login as you normally would, using the email and password you used to join the Creative Memories Digital Center.
2. Click the My Account link located near the top of the screen.
3. Click on Personal Info to make changes to your first name, last name and/or Email address.
4. Click Save.

To Top

How do I delete an album?

To delete an album:

1. After signing in to your account, click on My Photos.
2. Select the Album you'd like to delete (click the checkbox under the album) and then click Delete in the navigation under the title Photos.
   - or -
   Click on the album thumbprint and then click on the Album and then select Delete in the navigation under the title of your Album.
3. Click the OK button when prompted to delete the Album, and all photos in it.

To Top

Can I set up my account to sign in automatically?

When you sign in to the Creative Memories Digital Center with your password, you ensure the privacy of your online albums. Some members prefer signing in on each visit to the site, while others choose the convenience of automatic sign-in. Both methods are secure.

Signing in with every visit: On the Digital Center sign-in page enter your Email address and password. Then click Sign In to go directly to your Digital Center account.

Automatic sign in: Enter your Email address and password when you join, or on the Sign-in page, and check Remember my password. Now, when you visit the Digital Center, you will go directly to your Digital Center account without having to sign in.

NOTE: Automatic sign-in will work only if your internet browser is set to accept cookies. You must enable cookies in order to use this feature. For more information about cookies, please see the online help of your Internet browser.

To remove the automatic sign-in setting: Click on Sign Out in the upper left corner.

To Top

What information does Creative Memories Photo Center retain when I register?

When you register, we ask for your Email address and a password that you create. This allows us to make sure that only you or your invited guests have access to your online albums. We may also use this information to contact you when necessary. With your permission, we may also send you information about our company, and promotional material from some of our partners. For more details, please see our Privacy Policy.

Other information we might need to complete an order (e.g. billing and/or delivery addresses, etc.) are only required when you get to those steps.

To Top

General/Other

Our Quality Guarantee

Creative Memories guarantees the quality of every print we produce and mail to you - same for our photo-related products. If you are not completely satisfied with the quality of your order, please contact us via phone (877)932-8419 or email customerservice@cmphotocenter.com within 30 days from the date your order is shipped, and we will either send you a replacement or issue a refund for the products in question.

The following are important exceptions to our customer satisfaction guarantee:

• a poor image you selected for a print, photo card or gift that does not meet the minimum recommended resolution and results in a poor quality image
• submission of incorrect or misspelled information to be printed on your photo card, calendar or gift
• the sequence of calendar pages is out of order and you requested that sequence

To Top

Why do my printed photos look darker or lighter than they appear on my monitor?

The most common and probable cause for printed photos to look differently than a photo on your monitor are the monitor settings. You can manually adjust your monitor settings by changing the brightness and contrast levels to replicate real color levels. The human eye perceives reflected color differently than transmitted color, so most likely you would not get an exact match. Another option would be to purchase a monitor calibration device, that would adjust your monitor levels to the appropriate color depth.

To Top

Terms of use - Do I retain all rights to my pictures?

By ordering prints, the only right you grant us is to make the prints for you. You retain all copyrights.

To Top

Website Issues

Creative Memories Digital Center - Privacy Policy

The privacy of your information is very important to us. If you have any questions, please see our Privacy Policy.

To ensure the security of your online transaction, Creative Memories Digital Center's payment pages encrypt data using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL technology, the industry-standard method for protecting Web communications, was developed by Netscape Communications Corporation. The SSL security protocol provides data encryption, server authentication, and message integrity. Because SSL is built into all major Internet browsers and Web servers, this security is automatic.

To Top