A computer implemented method and apparatus for generating smart albums. The method comprises performing image analysis on a plurality of media files on a first user device, wherein each of the plurality of media files includes metadata; updating metadata associated with each of the plurality of media files based on the image analysis; transmitting the plurality of media files and updated metadata to a media sharing server; receiving, in response to transmitting the plurality of media files, one or more media files created by other users, wherein the metadata associated with the received media files is similar to the metadata associated with the transmitted media files; and generating a plurality of albums based on a comparison of metadata of the transmitted and received media files.