Foto: A Humane Photo-Sharing App Built for Everyone
Nashville, Tennessee – Foto, a new global photo-sharing platform, is set to launch on Android and iOS, offering a refreshing alternative to the ad-driven, video-heavy social media platforms dominating today’s landscape. Foto celebrates the timeless art of photography, serving as a space where photos—not algorithms or attention metrics—take center stage.
Unlike traditional platforms focused on short-form video and maximizing screen time, Foto’s mission is simple: to create a more humane social network that prioritizes thoughtful connection and empathy through images.
Why Foto is Different - A Quiet Corner for Photography
In an era where platforms like Instagram have pivoted towards video and entertainment, Foto asks:
“While Instagram chases the allure of motion and sound…is there a quiet corner left for the art of photography?”
Foto was created for everyone—from casual users to professionals—who value the power of images to tell stories and bridge divides. Unlike other platforms, Foto doesn’t emphasize follower counts or likes, reducing the social comparison that can come with traditional social media.
“It’s a medium that, at its best, brings us closer together, fostering empathy and understanding in a world that often feels fragmented.”
Search is Everything
Foto envisions a future where photography isn’t just about the present moment but becomes an enduring archive of memories. By leveraging metadata and keywords, Foto will create the most powerful image search experience, ensuring that photographs remain discoverable long after they are shared.
A Commitment to Art and Artists
While many tech platforms move away from the essence of photography, Foto prioritizes it.
“In a time when big tech seems to be moving away from the essence of the image, often harnessing them with AI without recognizing the artist’s rights, we see not just a challenge but an opportunity. An opportunity to create a space that values and celebrates artists.”
Why Foto Exists
In the founder’s own words:
“Most social media is currently fighting over video. They are leaving still images behind and racing toward short-form entertainment. But photography is good for humanity. It invites us to slow down, reflect, and connect more deeply—with others and ourselves.”
Foto stands apart by championing still images as a medium that fosters memory, empathy, and imagination. Photos are not just fleeting moments but windows into other worlds, offering space for reflection and thoughtful interaction.
Core Features That Set Foto Apart
Chronological Timeline: Say goodbye to algorithms deciding what you see. Foto’s chronological feed puts the focus back on following your interests.
No Ads: Foto is not built to sell your attention to advertisers. This allows for a cleaner, more intentional user experience.
No Photo Cropping: Share your photos in their original, full-frame glory.
Free to Use: Foto is accessible to everyone. While optional Pro Features will arrive later, the core experience will always be free.
The Philosophy Behind Foto
Foto’s creators recognize that photography holds a unique power in our fast-paced, technology-driven world.
“When you truly look at an image, you slow down and enter a state of reflection. Photos don’t give you all the answers, and that’s their beauty. They spark curiosity and allow your mind to wander.”
The platform’s design reflects this philosophy, intentionally avoiding features like public like counts or follower metrics that lead to social comparison. Instead, Foto focuses on creating a space where users can connect meaningfully and find inspiration without the noise.
Addressing the Failures of Legacy Platforms
Foto is being built as an antidote to the problems created by ad-driven platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These platforms capitalize on drama, dopamine hits, and algorithms that incentivize addiction over meaningful interaction. As the founder explains:
“They don’t care deeply about image-making. They care about keeping you scrolling. Foto isn’t about maximizing your screen time. It’s about preserving the art and experience of photography in a way that’s good for humanity.”
Foto is for everyone—from professional photographers to everyday users—who want to share and experience photos in a quieter, more thoughtful environment.
Leadership and Technical Advisory
Michael Howard, Co-Founder & CEO
Michael Howard brings over 15 years of experience as a professional photographer and entrepreneur. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Missouri State University in 2022 and founded MUSEA, a fine art print lab specializing in high-quality, archival photographic printing. Howard’s dedication to building creative communities and supporting artists has been central to his career. As CEO, he is committed to making Foto a platform that serves all photographers, from casual users to professionals.
Sahil Limbe, Co-Founder & Lead Developer
Sahil Limbe is a highly skilled Flutter developer with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science. He began coding at 15 and started freelancing during his college years, exploring web development before turning his focus to mobile apps. Having worked with various frameworks and tools, Sahil has also taken on UX design projects, refining his ability to create seamless user experiences. This blend of technical and design expertise ensures his products are powerful under the hood and visually appealing. Drawing on years of coding experience, he focuses on efficiency and innovation to Foto, delivering stable, scalable solutions that define its user experience.
Adam Simms, Co-Founder & Product Designer
Adam Simms is a multidisciplinary designer, educator, and artist based in Montreal, Canada. He teaches photography in Concordia University’s Studio Arts program, where he explores the intersection of art, technology, and visual culture. Adam holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography. With extensive experience at companies such as Trello, Atlassian, and Lightspeed, Adam specializes in creating intuitive, human-centered user experiences. His work on Foto focuses on empowering artists through thoughtful design and creative community-building.
Margaret Warren, Technical Advisor
Margaret Warren is a research scientist at the forefront of semantics, metadata, and knowledge representation. She serves as CEO and CTO of Metadata Authoring Systems LLC, a consultancy that helps businesses enhance the value and impact of their digital imagery. Warren is the creator of ImageSnippets™, a metadata management platform that integrates human-in-the-loop AI for annotating and publishing images with linked data standards. Her pioneering work in metadata, knowledge graphs, and data-centric AI is complemented by her role as Technical Advisor for Foto, where she provides strategic insights and subject matter expertise to shape Foto’s vision of metadata-rich photo-sharing.
Pro Features on the Horizon
While Foto is free to use, the platform will introduce Pro Features to empower creators and provide additional functionality:
• Portfolio Tabs: Organize and showcase your best work on your profile.
• In-App Stores: Sell your art directly to buyers.
• Subscriber-Only Areas: Connect with fans through exclusive content and education.
Bootstrapped, Community-Focused, and Human-Centered
Foto is the product of a small, passionate team that values independence over venture capital. This allows Foto to stay true to its mission of serving users, not advertisers:
With over 16,000 beta users, Foto is already building a vibrant community of photographers and creatives who share its vision for a better photo-sharing experience.
The Heart of Foto: Why Images Matter
“We remember the profound power of a photograph. We’ve seen how a single image can capture a moment, tell a story, and bridge divides. In a time when big tech seems to move away from the essence of the image, Foto is stepping in to preserve what makes photography so powerful.”
Whether it’s a family snapshot or fine art photography, Foto believes in the universal language of images to connect, inspire, and preserve memories.
Join the Foto Movement
Foto is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, bringing its vision to users worldwide. Whether you’re an artist, a hobbyist, or someone who just loves sharing photos, Foto is for you.
To learn more and sign up for updates, visit fotoapp.co.
About Foto
Foto is a photo-sharing platform designed to celebrate the art of photography and foster meaningful connections. Built for everyone—from casual users to professionals—Foto offers a thoughtful, ad-free alternative to traditional social media platforms.
Media Contact:
Foto Support