Q&A with Nixplay Founder Mark Palfreeman: What Sets Nixplay Digital Frames Apart

We sat down with the founder of Nixplay, Mark Palfreeman, to talk about what sets Nixplay apart from other frames on the market, and learned a lot about the world of digital photo frames and how to select one that fits your family’s needs.  

Where does Nixplay store the photos uploaded to digital frames? Where do other brands store their photos?

Palfreeman shared that, “One thing that differentiates us from most other brands is that our servers are in the U.S. and our servers are encrypted. With cheaper brands, most of them are hosting users’ content in China, and even then, not even by the company that sold you the frame. So you don’t even know who’s actually got your photos and video content.” 

Does properly storing your photos affect the cost of digital frames? 

Palfreeman elaborated that, “yes, it’s more expensive for us to store them in the U.S, but for us that’s a non-negotiable.” 

Regardless of where you purchase your digital frames, it’s important to know the company’s privacy policy and how they are incorporating security as a top priority in their product from day one.

What kind of software do digital frames use?

Palfreeman explains it like this, “it’s no different than say, a mobile phone, sure you want a nice, shiny phone…but really what makes a phone special is the software behind it, and the apps that support it. Nixplay is no different in that it’s really the software that drives it, it’s the functions and the ability for it to perform what it is you need it to do.” 

Palfreeman elaborates, “It’s really about your photos, your memories, your moments that you want to celebrate with your family, that you want to share with your family, and so really it’s about the platform that supports that.” 

What kind of special features do Nixplay frames have? 

Palfreeman explains two unique features that come with Nixplay frames, “We just released preload gifting last year. So what that means is I can buy a frame, gift it to my mom, and before my mom even receives the frame, I can create a shared playlist, which is basically a curated playlist on Nixplay’s mobile app. I invite friends and family, and they can add photos, videos, video messages, to the playlist. And when my mom turns the frame on, it will automatically start playing that playlist.” 

What’s the takeaway?

When you’re choosing a digital frame, you are investing in the software, the hardware, and most importantly the housing of your most precious memories. Nixplay offers a variety of frames that are secure, supported by amazing software, and come with many unique features. Check out our shop to start sharing treasured memories with loved ones near and far.

For most pet owners, showing appreciation to your furry friends comes naturally. After all, they help to make us feel happier every day. Although life can get pretty busy, time isn’t always on our side when it comes to giving our pets the attention they deserve. That’s why we wanted to share some photography tips and tricks for getting the best pictures of your pet.. We’ve put together a mix of witty portrait and candid shot ideas for you to take of your pet and store in your wallet, share with friends, or upload to a shared Nixplay playlist. 

7 Fun Pet Photo Ideas 

1: Photos of your Pet’s Best Trick

The ultimate dog photo! Show off your pet’s skills with a snap of them doing their best trick. Whether that’s them up on their hind legs, shaking hands (or paws), rolling over, or another fun pet trick, this one is sure to be a crowd pleaser. If the photos are turning out blurry, try taking them in burst or live mode to try and get the best shot. Remember, with Nixplay smart and touch frames you can display both videos and photos – so don’t worry if you can’t get the perfect still shot, choose video instead!

Your pet can’t do any tricks? No problem! A cute snap of them looking their best is just as good.

2: Photos of Your Pet in Fresh Air 

Whatever the weather, it’s great to get pictures of your pet enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you’re off on your daily W-A-L-K (walk), at their favorite outdoor spot, or you’re trying your hand at a mini photoshoot in the backyard, capturing them in their element is sure to produce a happy photo that’s worth sharing with family and friends.

3: Photos of Your Smiling Pet 

It’s no secret that an adorable photo of an animal smiling into the camera can pull on the heartstrings. So why not share a snap of your pet showing off their best smile? Simple yet effective, you could even use a black and white filter for a timeless and ‘pawfessional’ look.

This one might be a bit tricky, but we’re sure a little treat wouldn’t go unnoticed!

4: Photos of Your Pet with Their Favorite Toy

Another great way to get a great photo of your pet is having a photoshoot with their favorite toys. From squeaky toys and cuddly animals, to tug of war ropes and bouncy balls, every pet wants to show off their favorite toy and this is the perfect opportunity to do it. So why not capture a quick shot (or two) of them playing with or even cuddling their favorite toy as they sleep?

5: Photos of Your Pet at Dinner Time

Serving up their favorite treat for dinner? Share a snap of them indulging in a gourmet meal. While a candid shot will work, you could also style it up to create a comical scene of your pet politely sitting at the dinner table. Better yet, take a different angle and show off your furry friend in a chef’s hat “preparing” dinner!

6: Photos of Your Pet Playing Dress Up

Dress them up in their Sunday best or a fun costume for a twist on a new set of pet photos. From fake glasses to jumpers and hats, there’s a range of pet clothes out there to try – although don’t force them into it. If they’re not feeling comfortable, simply set them up in a comical scene instead! Whether that’s reading a book, sitting at a computer, or having a drink on a deck chair in the backyard, it’ll be sure to create a priceless photo.

7: Photos of Your Pet with You

Don’t be afraid to take a photo with your pet! Even if you prefer to be behind the camera, your pet deserves a photo with their favorite person in the world, and we think you’ll be happy to have it too. Whether that’s a selfie, a professional portrait, or a snap of you lounging in the local park, a photo with your pet will be a treasured memory for years to come.

Pet Photography Tips & Tricks 

Wondering how to improve your pet photo taking skills? Pets are unpredictable and often move about quite quickly, so capturing the right moment might be tricky. So, here are some of our top pet photography tips to get you started:

Take your pictures in burst mode: 

If they can’t sit still, shooting a burst of photos in one go will increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.

Look for the best light: 

As with any image, good light is everything – especially when it comes to pets with darker fur.

Offer a reward: 

Putting them through this many mini photoshoots most definitely deserves a reward! A few cuddles or treats should do it.

But the most important tip is to always remember to keep your pet safe, because putting them in danger to get the “perfect” photo definitely isn’t worth it.

Check out our top 4 pet photography tips to learn even more about how to take good pet photos.

Sharing Pet Photos

Remember not to keep the joy of pet photos to yourself, and to share your awesome pictures with friends and family. Upload your photos to your social media profiles, send them in an email or, better yet, share your photos with other Nixplay users! Create the ultimate pet photo frame with a loving slideshow of your favorite furry friend photos. Sharing memories has never been easier.

Friendships play an important role throughout our lives. They’re a constant and valuable part of our community that offer essential companionship and support. In honor of International Friendship Day, we wanted to talk about the different types of friendships many of us have and how they evolve in adulthood. As we mature and our lives change, it’s natural to have friends that fit different roles or for those roles to change over time. The most important thing is that friends continue to show up for each other in a way only they know how. 

Childhood Friends: The First of Many Friendships

Childhood friends are special for all of us. Whether you met as neighbors, in grade school, or at summer camp, these friendships have strong foundations in shared memories and experiencing some of life’s first milestones together. Childhood friends know us in a way many others never will, and they provide a sense of familiarity and unwavering support. Distance, adult responsibilities, and busy schedules may mean we don’t see these friends as much or that we aren’t fully up-to-date on the latest happenings in each other’s lives, but it doesn’t lessen that foundational bond. Time apart just makes reconnecting with childhood friends that much more rewarding and nostalgic. 

Shared Hobby Friends: The Friendships With Overlapping Passions 

As adults, one of the most cherished types of friends we can have is one with whom we share a hobby. A friend you make via shared interests not only understands that passion, but also actively participates in it with you. Whether it’s spending time outside, playing sports, making music, or any other variety of interesting hobbies, this friend fuels your enthusiasm and is creating memories right alongside you. When you share a bond over a mutual love for an activity, it becomes a powerful connection that deepens your friendship and creates a foundation for a long lasting relationship. Having a friend who loves what you do, makes the things you enjoy that much more meaningful. 

Ride or Die Friends: The Best Friendships

If you’re lucky, you have a best friend that is there for you through thick and thin. In adulthood, weeks can pass without catching up, but as soon as you do it’s like you never skipped a beat. The ride or die friends are the type that would drop everything to support us, and probably have at some point or another. They know you better than anyone and have the power to bring joy, comfort and a sense of belonging. They’re who you go to when you need advice or when you just need to vent — and they know the difference between the two. 

For many adults, friendships take on different forms and serve different roles. There are many more types of friends than what we can list here, and they’re all essential to forming a well rounded support system. While we might not have the same consistency that we did in the past, it’s now easier than ever to stay in touch. The internet allows us to check in with friends near and far in many different ways. We now have the ability to e-mail friends on different continents or reconnect with ones we haven’t seen in years through social media. Nixplay even offers digital frames that can be updated via shared playlists. So you can gift frames to friends and share photos via the frames that you’ll see everyday. It’s a great way to stay connected and see what everyone is up to, and it might even prompt an extra phone call or text message from time to time. However you choose to keep in touch, we hope you check in with your friends for International Friendship Day.

The arrival of summer brings an explosion of colors, warmth, and joy. It’s the perfect time to create beautiful memories and freeze them in time through the art of photography. Whether you’re lounging on a sandy beach, exploring breathtaking landscapes, or simply enjoying quality time with loved ones, capturing the essence of summer can be a delightful and easy experience. In this blog, we’ll explore some expert tips and tricks to help you take amazing summer photos that will make your memories last a lifetime.

Embrace Natural Light:

One of the key elements that set summer apart is the abundance of natural light. To make the most of it, try shooting during the “golden hour” – the hour after sunrise or before sunset – when the light is softer and creates a warm, flattering glow. If your summer activities necessitate taking photos in the middle of the day, seek out shaded areas to soften harsh shadows and create a more balanced exposure.

Compose with Care:

When framing your summer shots, pay attention to composition. Utilize the “rule of thirds” by mentally dividing your frame into a grid of nine equal parts and placing key elements along the intersecting lines. In beach or landscape shots, incorporate leading lines, such as a shoreline or a road, to guide the viewer’s eye toward the main subject. Experiment with different angles, perspectives, and points of view to add intrigue to your summer photographs.

Tell a story:

Your summer photos should do more than just capture a moment; they should tell a story. Look beyond posed shots and aim to capture candid moments. Whether it’s a niece or nephew building a sandcastle, friends laughing on a picnic blanket, or relatives sharing a meal at a family reunion, these authentic moments are special and sentimental to look back on for years to come. Be observant and ready to capture those fleeting, magical instances that define summer.

Preserve and Share Your Memories:

Now that you’ve preserved precious memories and created an extraordinary visual collection of the season’s magic, it’s time to showcase the beautiful photos you’ve captured. Nixplay digital frames allow you to display entire playlists of photos so you aren’t forced to choose just one. Plus, you can share playlists with friends and family to stay up-to-date on each other’s summer activities. They can even add their own photos to collaborative playlists, making shared memories a treasured part of your summer.