Photo sharing has exploded over the last few years. There are now thousands of websites and online services dedicated to helping you upload and share photos with the rest of the world. Finding the best photo sharing websites is now essential if you want your photography to be found and taken seriously. This article will show you the best photo sharing websites of 2012 so that you can easily share your photography with clients and curious onlookers.

500px

This is a relatively new website for photo sharing that many professional photographers are starting to notice. The best thing about 500px is its beautiful user interface. You can easily customize your profile so that it shows your photos exactly how you want them to be seen. This allows you to give your photos more power than if you placed them on another website.

Another good thing about 500px is that you can easily share your photos on other websites. You might also be able to make some money if people buy prints of your photos. While 500px isn’t quite as big as some of the other websites on this list, it has a growing audience and it’s sure to explode in the coming years.

Flickr

Flickr is easily the biggest photo sharing website of 2012, and there are many good reasons for hosting your photos on this website. Many people recognize Flickr, and there is a high chance that someone will find your photo by just randomly searching through the millions of uploaded pictures. It is also very likely that people will share your photos on their websites. This means that your photography will get some exposure.

Another great thing about Flickr is that the new uploading and organizing tools are made with HTML5. This means that you can easily use these features on a desktop or mobile device, and the tools work better than any Flash- or PHP-based features. While the free account allows you to upload a good number of photos, you can upload an unlimited number of photos if you get a paid account.

Fotki

Fotki lacks some of the editing tools that other photo sharing websites have, but it’s unlikely that you’ll need these tools if you are a professional photographer. Fotki gives you all of the basic tools like geotagging, visitor statistics and the ability to create slideshows. The real power behind Fotki is its layout.

Fotki doubles as a social network. This means that there are many users that are specifically looking for photos to share and post. You can also make money if people purchase prints of your photos, and there are various contests on the website that can increase your exposure.

Zenfolio

Zenfolio is a website that is specifically built for professionals. You can easily create an online store so that people can buy prints, the profiles are made to help your dynamic photos look that much better and the online portfolios have a distinct look that users will appreciate.

If you want to use a photo sharing website that really makes you look like a professional, then Zenfolio is easily one of the best.

There are many photo sharing websites, but most of them are made for miscellaneous photos. If you are a professional photographer, then you need to join a photo sharing website that gives you access to millions of people while showing your photos in the best light. All of the above websites are great for professional photographers to show off their best photos.

This article was contributed by professional photographer Carol Walker who specializes in horse photography and photography workshops.