diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 5a93613..ad9af48 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "skate-spots",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "1.0.75",
+  "version": "1.0.76",
   "type": "module",
   "homepage": "https://skate-spots.com",
   "scripts": {
diff --git a/src/pages/CreateSpotPage.tsx b/src/pages/CreateSpotPage.tsx
index 83d8326..ec86096 100644
--- a/src/pages/CreateSpotPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/CreateSpotPage.tsx
@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ export default function CreateSpotPage() {
   const [images, setImages] = useState<string[]>([]);
   const [isGettingLocation, setIsGettingLocation] = useState(false);
   const [showCamera, setShowCamera] = useState(false);
+  // True while the Quick Snap photo is uploading in the background after landing
+  // on this form.
+  const [isUploadingQuickPhoto, setIsUploadingQuickPhoto] = useState(false);
 
   // Pre-fill coordinates from URL params (from map click)
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -74,12 +77,44 @@ export default function CreateSpotPage() {
     // Check for quick capture image from map page
     const quickCapture = searchParams.get('quickCapture');
     if (quickCapture === 'true') {
+      // Backward-compat: an already-uploaded URL (old flow).
       const capturedImage = sessionStorage.getItem('quickCaptureImage');
       if (capturedImage) {
         setImages([capturedImage]);
         sessionStorage.removeItem('quickCaptureImage');
       }
+
+      // New Quick Snap flow: a raw photo (data URL) stashed by the map page.
+      // We navigate here immediately for speed, then upload the photo HERE so a
+      // slow/failed Blossom upload never strands the user before the form.
+      const pendingPhoto = sessionStorage.getItem('quickCapturePendingPhoto');
+      if (pendingPhoto) {
+        sessionStorage.removeItem('quickCapturePendingPhoto');
+        (async () => {
+          setIsUploadingQuickPhoto(true);
+          try {
+            const res = await fetch(pendingPhoto);
+            const blob = await res.blob();
+            const file = new File([blob], `skate-spot-${Date.now()}.jpg`, { type: 'image/jpeg' });
+            const uploadTags = await uploadFile(file);
+            const url = uploadTags[0]?.[1];
+            if (url) {
+              setImages((prev) => (prev.includes(url) ? prev : [...prev, url]));
+            }
+          } catch (error) {
+            toast({
+              title: 'Photo upload failed',
+              description:
+                error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Could not upload the photo. You can add one below.',
+              variant: 'destructive',
+            });
+          } finally {
+            setIsUploadingQuickPhoto(false);
+          }
+        })();
+      }
     }
+    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [searchParams]);
 
   const handleCategoryChange = (category: string) => {
@@ -600,6 +635,13 @@ export default function CreateSpotPage() {
                       </button>
                     </div>
                   ))}
+                  {/* Quick Snap photo uploading in the background */}
+                  {isUploadingQuickPhoto && (
+                    <div className="relative aspect-video rounded-lg overflow-hidden bg-muted flex flex-col items-center justify-center border-2 border-dashed border-[#ccff00]/50">
+                      <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin text-[#ccff00] mb-1" />
+                      <span className="text-xs text-[#ccff00] font-bold">Uploading photo…</span>
+                    </div>
+                  )}
                   {/* Camera capture button */}
                   <button
                     type="button"
diff --git a/src/pages/MapPage.tsx b/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
index 9c35647..d3f9b40 100644
--- a/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/MapPage.tsx
@@ -78,7 +78,6 @@ import {
   MessageCircle,
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { SpotChat } from '@/components/SpotChat';
-import { useUploadFile } from '@/hooks/useUploadFile';
 import { useToast } from '@/hooks/useToast';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { isNativeCapture, captureFromNativeCamera } from '@/lib/quickCapture';
@@ -611,7 +610,6 @@ export default function MapPage() {
   // On web there's no reliable way to force the camera from JS, so we fall back
   // to a file input hinting the rear camera. A single photo is all a spot needs.
   const quickSnapInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
-  const { mutateAsync: uploadFile, isPending: isUploadingQuickPhoto } = useUploadFile();
   const { toast } = useToast();
   
   // BTC Map center for fetching places
@@ -799,33 +797,34 @@ export default function MapPage() {
     if (file) handleQuickCameraCapture(file);
   };
 
-  // Handle quick camera capture - upload and navigate to create spot
+  // Handle quick camera capture — the whole point of Quick Snap is SPEED, so we
+  // do NOT block on the Blossom upload here (that needs an Amber signature and
+  // can be slow or fail — which previously left the user stranded after taking
+  // the photo). Instead: stash the raw photo, grab location, and navigate to the
+  // Add Spot form IMMEDIATELY. The form uploads the photo there.
   const handleQuickCameraCapture = async (file: File) => {
     try {
-      const tags = await uploadFile(file);
-      const url = tags[0]?.[1];
-      if (url) {
-        // Store the captured image URL in sessionStorage for the create spot page
-        sessionStorage.setItem('quickCaptureImage', url);
-        // Get current location (native-aware) and navigate to create spot.
-        try {
-          const { lat, lng } = await getCurrentPosition();
-          navigate(`/create-spot?lat=${lat.toFixed(6)}&lng=${lng.toFixed(6)}&quickCapture=true`);
-        } catch {
-          // If geolocation fails, still navigate but without coords
-          navigate('/create-spot?quickCapture=true');
-        }
-        toast({
-          title: 'Photo captured!',
-          description: 'Now add the spot details.',
-        });
-      }
-    } catch (error) {
-      toast({
-        title: 'Upload failed',
-        description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Failed to upload photo',
-        variant: 'destructive',
+      // Stash the captured photo as a data URL so the Create Spot page can pick
+      // it up and upload it in the right context.
+      const dataUrl = await new Promise<string>((resolve, reject) => {
+        const reader = new FileReader();
+        reader.onload = () => resolve(reader.result as string);
+        reader.onerror = () => reject(new Error('Could not read photo'));
+        reader.readAsDataURL(file);
       });
+      sessionStorage.setItem('quickCapturePendingPhoto', dataUrl);
+      // Clear any older uploaded-URL key so the form doesn't use a stale image.
+      sessionStorage.removeItem('quickCaptureImage');
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.warn('[QuickSnap] could not stash photo:', err);
+    }
+
+    // Try to grab location quickly, but never let it block navigation.
+    try {
+      const { lat, lng } = await getCurrentPosition();
+      navigate(`/create-spot?lat=${lat.toFixed(6)}&lng=${lng.toFixed(6)}&quickCapture=true`);
+    } catch {
+      navigate('/create-spot?quickCapture=true');
     }
   };