Snapchat or Instagram? An Unofficial Guide to Sharing Photos

Now that Instagram has rolled out its own form of private messaging, there's yet another, more specific way to spread that photo of your cat in slippers around.
Staring at all of the app icons on your phone can seem daunting, and too many choices can leave you paralyzed. Will your friend read into it too much if you send a picture of your lunch via Snapchat instead of a text?

 

• 1. Instragram Direct: When your picture is amazing(ly inappropriate).

  

  Your 15 closest friends need to see the drunk streaker outside your apartment. Your mom and old 7th grade teacher do not.
  This service is best when you have a great photo that may deserve a more intimate audience, but still deserves to live for longer than 10 seconds -- all without the obnoxiousness of group texts.
  

  Image: Tumblr petitetiaras

• 2. SnapChat: When you want to give your friends proof without evidence.

  

  If you just tell them a kid puked in your hair on the train, they might be skeptical. SnapChat confirms you're experiencing all of life's weird moments, without permanently placing the evidence in your phone.
  Plus, where else are you going to doodle a Spider-Man mask on your face?
  

  Image: Imgur, teavanala

• 3. Facebook: When you want to brag.

  

  Because every girl who dissed you in middle school, every aunt who criticizes your life choices and every ex need to see what a cool, cool party you attended.

  Image: Tumblr sydneyandrews

• 4. Twitter Direct Message: When you desperately need to share.

  

  For that PR guy willing to jump shamelessly through every hoop, just to get your attention.
  You're obviously not friends on any other more appropriate photo-sharing platform, so this is your only shot.
  

• 5. Text: When you want someone to feel really special.

  

  Because that girl you're flirting with doesn't want to be one of many.
  This is the most intimate way to share with someone, which often makes it the most likely to cause trouble.
  

  Image: Imgur, tree_village

• 6. Email: When you need to get your point across without being too intrusive.

  

  Emailing a photo is tricky. On one hand, it really makes a statement, albeit one that says, "Why are you sending this in an email?"
  On the other hand, there's always the chance that it could be mistaken for spam or slip into the cracks between daily deals.
  

• 7. An Actual, Physical Photograph: When you have no other option.

  

  Good for your grandma, anti-tech friend or anyone with conspicuously bare refrigerators.