Camera to cloud: upload photos live from Sony, Canon and Nikon cameras

The usual event workflow has a gap in the middle. You shoot, then you pull the card, copy it to a laptop, pick photos and upload them. Guests and clients wait until that is done, often until the next day.

Camera to cloud removes the gap. The camera uploads each photo to the event gallery by itself, and people see the pictures while the event is still going.

How camera to cloud works

Many Sony, Canon and Nikon cameras have FTP transfer built in. ShareXtra gives you the server details for your gallery. You enter them in the camera once, turn on automatic transfer, and keep shooting. Each photo is sent as you take it.

There is no card reader and no laptop at the venue.

See Camera to Cloud

Set it up before the event

1. Add a camera in ShareXtra and choose the gallery its photos should go to.
2. Enter the settings. Pick your camera brand and ShareXtra shows the exact menu path and the values to enter in the camera's FTP menu.
3. Turn on auto transfer. From now on the camera sends each photo as you take it.
4. Shoot. Photos appear in the gallery, ready for guests.

Do this the day before, not at the venue.

What you need at the venue

The camera needs an internet connection. That can be the venue Wi-Fi or a phone hotspot. If your camera has no Wi-Fi, you can use the USB cable option; ShareXtra shows the steps when you choose it during setup.

Encrypted transfer is available on cameras that offer it.

Why live upload matters

• Guests get photos the same hour. Combined with a QR code at the venue, people leave with their pictures.
• Selfie search works live. Each photo is prepared for AI face search as it arrives.
• Clients see progress. A couple's family or an event sponsor can open the gallery during the event.
• You have a second copy. The photos are in the gallery as well as on the card.

Tips from the field

• Test the upload at home with a few frames before the event day.
• Carry a hotspot even if the venue promises Wi-Fi.
• Keep a spare battery ready, since wireless transfer uses more power.
• If you shoot RAW and JPEG, send the JPEGs for the live gallery and keep the RAW files on the card for editing.

Which cameras work?

Cameras with FTP transfer from Sony, Canon and Nikon have a guided setup. Other cameras with an FTP option can use the generic settings.

Read about event photo sharing with a QR code