A photoprinter configuration comprising a digital camera having a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms. A photoprinter is connected to the digital camera via a communication link, wherein the photoprinter is operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera. Preferably, the photoprinter is further operative to direct the results from a user's inputs to the selection mechanisms of the digital camera. The photoprinter is operable as a client to a host computer, as a host for the digital camera, and a passthrough device such that the host computer may initiate requests to the digital camera.