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Gallery Settings and Customization

Quick Reference​

Gallery settings let you control how your galleries work - downloads, watermarks, expiration, and branding. Customize each gallery to fit your business model and delivery style!

Key Settings You Can Configure:

  • Download options - Allow, restrict, or require selections first
  • Watermarks - Apply to previews, downloads, or both
  • Access control - Password protection and expiration dates
  • Branding - Logo, colors, and gallery appearance
  • Client selections - Set limits and requirements
  • Notifications - Auto-email when gallery is ready
  • Social sharing - Allow or restrict gallery sharing

Common Configurations:

  • Full digital delivery - Allow downloads, no watermarks on downloads, 60-day expiration
  • Print sales model - No downloads, watermark everything, unlimited expiration
  • Album packages - Require 50 selections, allow downloads after selections made
  • Quick sessions - Allow downloads, watermark previews, 30-day expiration

To Access Settings:

  1. Open the job
  2. Go to Files & Gallery tab
  3. Click "Gallery Settings"
  4. Configure options
  5. Save changes

Next Steps: Learn how to share galleries with clients or explore client selections for album workflows.

Detailed Guide​

Every photography business is different. The way you deliver photos, charge for products, and work with clients varies by niche and business model.

Gallery settings let you customize the delivery experience to match YOUR workflow:

Digital-only photographer? Enable full downloads, no restrictions.

Print-sales focused? Disable downloads, watermark everything, sell prints through your lab.

Hybrid model? Allow downloads but require album selections first, then unlock full gallery.

High-end brand? Password-protect galleries, custom branding, extended access.

Configure once, apply to all galleries, or customize per job. You're in control!

Download Settings​

Control what clients can download and when:

Allow Full Downloads​

What it means: Clients can download high-resolution files freely - individual photos, collections, or entire gallery as ZIP.

Best for:

  • Packages that include all digital files
  • Modern wedding photography (most couples expect digital files)
  • Portrait sessions where digital delivery is standard
  • Event photography

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Download Options > Select "Allow full downloads"

Most Common Setting

90% of photographers allow full downloads today. Digital files are expected by most clients and included in most packages!

Restrict Downloads (View Only)​

What it means: Clients can browse and view photos online but cannot download files.

Best for:

  • Print-sales business model
  • Selling physical products (albums, prints, canvases)
  • Protecting work from unauthorized use
  • Client must order through you to get images

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Download Options > Select "View only (no downloads)"

Important: If restricting downloads, make sure your contract clearly states this! Don't surprise clients by blocking downloads if they expect digital files.

Require Selections First​

What it means: Client must favorite a specified number of photos before they can download the full gallery.

Best for:

  • Album packages where you need client input
  • Print bundles where selections determine what's printed
  • Ensuring client engagement with the gallery

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Download Options > Select "Require X selections before allowing downloads"

Example workflow:

  1. Client views gallery (400 photos)
  2. "Select your favorite 50 photos for the album"
  3. Client favorites photos (counter shows progress)
  4. At 50 selections, "Download All" button unlocks
  5. Client can now download entire gallery

Download Individual Photos Only​

What it means: Clients can download photos one-by-one but cannot download entire collections or full gallery as ZIP.

Best for:

  • Encouraging print sales (they can download for social media but buying prints is easier)
  • Limiting bulk downloads while still allowing some access
  • Balancing client convenience with product sales

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Download Options > Select "Allow individual downloads only"

Watermark Settings​

Protect your work and promote your brand with watermarks:

No Watermark​

What it means: Photos appear clean with no branding overlay - both in preview and downloads.

Best for:

  • High-end clients who want clean images
  • When you trust clients to credit you
  • Simple delivery without branding layers

Trade-off: No watermark = no automatic credit when shared on social media.

Watermark Previews Only​

What it means: Photos shown in gallery browser have watermark overlay. Downloaded high-res files are clean (no watermark).

Best for:

  • Most photographers! This is the sweet spot.
  • Client shares on social media → watermark visible → free marketing
  • Client prints photos → clean files → professional prints

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Watermark > Select "Apply watermark to preview images only"

Why photographers love this:

  • Protects browsing from screenshot theft
  • Free advertising when shared
  • Clean downloads for printing
  • Best of both worlds!
Recommended Setting

Watermark previews only is the most popular setting among professional photographers. It balances brand protection with client satisfaction!

Watermark Everything​

What it means: Photos have watermark overlay in preview AND downloaded files.

Best for:

  • Print-sales model (clients can't print unwatermarked files without ordering)
  • Highly protective of your work
  • When selling through print lab only

Trade-off: Clients cannot print or use files without your watermark. Make sure this aligns with your package terms!

Custom Watermark Design​

Configure your watermark appearance:

Logo watermark:

  • Upload your logo (PNG with transparency recommended)
  • Adjust size (small corner logo or larger center mark)
  • Set opacity (subtle 30% or bold 80%)
  • Position (corner, center, bottom)

Text watermark:

  • Your business name or copyright notice
  • "© 2026 Your Photography"
  • Font, size, color, opacity
  • Position on image

Configure in: Settings > Gallery Branding > Watermark Design

Pro tip: Keep watermarks visible but not distracting. A subtle logo in the bottom-right corner (30-40% opacity) is classy and effective!

Access Control Settings​

Manage who can view your galleries and for how long:

What it means: Anyone with the gallery link can view it. No password required.

Security note: Gallery URLs are long and random (e.g., /gallery/abc123xyz456) so they're hard to guess. Functionally private even though technically "public."

Best for: Most galleries. Simple, no friction for clients.

Password Protection​

What it means: Gallery requires a password to view. Client must enter password before accessing photos.

Best for:

  • Extra-sensitive content (boudoir, private events)
  • Corporate clients who need security
  • Galleries you're sharing with multiple stakeholders who need controlled access

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Access Control > Enable "Password protection" > Set password

Share password separately from gallery link (email, text, phone call).

Expiration Date​

What it means: Gallery access automatically ends after a set date. Client sees "This gallery has expired" message.

Best for:

  • Managing storage costs
  • Encouraging prompt downloads
  • Standard business practice

Common expiration timelines:

  • 30 days - Quick sessions, mini sessions
  • 60 days - Standard portraits, events
  • 90 days - Weddings, generous timeline
  • 1 year - Premium packages, long-term access
  • No expiration - Permanent access (rare, storage costs add up!)

How to set: Gallery Settings > Access Control > Set "Expiration date"

Best practice: Communicate expiration clearly! "Your gallery will be available for 60 days. Please download all photos before [date]."

Expiration reminders: ShootPath can auto-email clients 1 week before expiration: "Your gallery expires in 7 days - download your photos now!"

What it means: Each client gets a unique gallery link tied to their account. Only they can access (when logged into portal).

Best for:

  • Multi-client events (wedding guests, event attendees)
  • When you need tracking per client
  • Extra security for sensitive content

How it works: Gallery link includes authentication token. Must be logged in to view.

Branding and Appearance​

Customize how your galleries look:

What it means: Your logo appears at the top of the gallery page.

How to set: Settings > Gallery Branding > Upload logo

Best practices:

  • Use PNG with transparency (so it works on any background)
  • Optimal size: 200-300px wide
  • Keep it simple and recognizable

What it means: Customize accent colors, backgrounds, button colors to match your brand.

How to set: Settings > Gallery Branding > Choose colors

Recommended: Stick to your brand colors for consistency. Neutral backgrounds (white, light gray) make photos pop!

Custom Domain (Advanced)​

What it means: Instead of yourshootpath.com/gallery/abc123, galleries appear at gallery.yourdomain.com/abc123.

Best for: Established businesses with strong brand identity.

How to set: Settings > Gallery Branding > Custom Domain (requires DNS configuration)

Client Selection Settings​

Configure how selections work:

Selection Limits​

Set how many photos clients can favorite:

  • Unlimited - No restrictions
  • Maximum - "Select up to 50 photos"
  • Minimum - "Select at least 20 photos"
  • Range - "Select between 40-60 photos"

How to set: Gallery Settings > Client Selections > Set limit type and number

Selection Instructions​

Add custom instructions clients see:

"Please select your favorite 50 photos for your album. Once you've made your selections, let me know and I'll start designing!"

How to set: Gallery Settings > Client Selections > Instructions text

Selection Deadline​

Set a date by which selections must be made:

"Please complete your selections by March 15th"

How to set: Gallery Settings > Client Selections > Selection deadline

Notification Settings​

Automate client communications:

When: Gallery is created and photos uploaded

Email sent: "Your gallery is ready! 🎉"

Includes: Gallery link, photo count, instructions

Enable in: Gallery Settings > Notifications > "Send notification when gallery is published"

New Photos Added​

When: You add more photos to an existing gallery (e.g., uploading full gallery after sneak peeks)

Email sent: "New photos added to your gallery!"

Includes: Gallery link, count of new photos

Enable in: Gallery Settings > Notifications > "Notify when new photos are added"

New Collection Published​

When: You publish a new collection (e.g., publishing "Highlights" after "Sneak Peeks")

Email sent: "Your highlights collection is ready!"

Includes: Collection name, photo count, gallery link

Enable in: Gallery Settings > Notifications > "Notify when new collections are published"

Expiration Reminder​

When: 7 days before gallery expires

Email sent: "Your gallery expires in 7 days - download your photos!"

Includes: Expiration date, gallery link, download instructions

Enable in: Gallery Settings > Notifications > "Send expiration reminder"

Why this matters: Many clients procrastinate downloads. A reminder prevents "Oh no, I forgot to download!" panic!

Selection Reminders​

When: Client hasn't made required selections after X days

Email sent: "Reminder: Please select your album favorites!"

Enable in: Gallery Settings > Notifications > "Remind about selections after X days"

Social Sharing Settings​

Control how galleries are shared:

Allow Social Sharing​

What it means: Clients can share gallery link with family, friends, social media.

Best for:

  • Marketing (more people see your work!)
  • Weddings (couple shares with family)
  • Events (attendees share with each other)

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Sharing > "Allow clients to share gallery"

Restrict Sharing​

What it means: Gallery link is private to client only. No sharing buttons displayed.

Best for:

  • Sensitive content (boudoir, private sessions)
  • Corporate work with confidentiality requirements
  • When you don't want work publicly visible

How to enable: Gallery Settings > Sharing > "Restrict sharing (client only)"

Social Media Embed​

What it means: Photos can be embedded on social media (Facebook, Instagram) directly from gallery.

Best for: Maximum exposure and marketing reach!

Trade-off: Photos more widely distributed. Make sure watermarks are applied if concerned!

Download Format Settings​

Control download file format and quality:

High-Resolution JPEG​

Default: Full-resolution JPEG files (same as uploaded)

Best for: Standard digital delivery, printable quality

Optimized JPEG​

What it means: Slightly compressed for smaller file size while maintaining print quality.

Best for: Clients with limited storage or slow internet

Trade-off: Minimal quality loss, but smaller files = faster downloads

Include Original Files​

What it means: Clients can download original uncompressed files (if you uploaded TIFFs or PNGs).

Best for: Commercial clients, print-sales when you charge premium for originals

Trade-off: HUGE file sizes, slower downloads

Most photographers: Deliver high-res JPEGs only (4000-6000px, 90-95% quality). This is printable and manageable!

Track who views your galleries and when:

View Access Log​

Gallery Settings > Access Log

You can see:

  • Date/time gallery was viewed
  • How many times viewed
  • IP address (location)
  • Which collections were browsed
  • What was downloaded

Why this is useful:

  • Confirm client received and viewed gallery
  • Track engagement
  • Follow up if client hasn't viewed yet
  • Troubleshoot access issues

Configuration 1: Modern Digital Delivery

  • Download: Allow full downloads
  • Watermark: Previews only
  • Expiration: 60 days
  • Notifications: All enabled
  • Sharing: Allowed

Best for: Most wedding and portrait photographers today!

Configuration 2: Print-Sales Model

  • Download: View only (no downloads)
  • Watermark: Everything
  • Expiration: 90 days or unlimited
  • Notifications: Gallery ready only
  • Sharing: Allowed (with watermarks)

Best for: Photographers selling prints, albums, canvases as primary revenue!

Configuration 3: Album-Focused Workflow

  • Download: Require 50 selections first
  • Watermark: Previews only
  • Expiration: 90 days
  • Notifications: All enabled + selection reminders
  • Sharing: Allowed

Best for: Photographers selling albums who need client input!

Configuration 4: Premium/High-End

  • Download: Allow full downloads
  • Watermark: None
  • Expiration: 1 year
  • Password: Enabled
  • Branding: Custom domain
  • Notifications: Selective

Best for: Luxury photographers with high-touch service!

Configuration 5: Quick Mini Sessions

  • Download: Allow full downloads
  • Watermark: Previews only
  • Expiration: 30 days
  • Notifications: Gallery ready only
  • Sharing: Allowed

Best for: Volume sessions with fast turnaround!

Best Practices​

Configure defaults in Settings - Set up your preferred gallery settings once in Settings > Gallery Defaults. All new galleries inherit these settings automatically!

Communicate settings clearly - Tell clients what to expect: "You'll have 60 days to download photos" or "Gallery is view-only, order prints through me."

Match settings to package - Digital package = allow downloads. Print package = restrict downloads. Align delivery with what was sold!

Use expiration to encourage action - 60-90 day expiration prevents clients from procrastinating downloads indefinitely.

Enable notifications - Auto-emails save you manual follow-up and keep clients informed!

Test before launching - Preview gallery as client to confirm settings work as intended.

Watermark strategically - Watermark previews for social sharing (free marketing), clean downloads for printing.

Document your policy - Include gallery terms in contract: access duration, download policy, usage rights.

Troubleshooting Settings Issues​

Client says downloads aren't working:

  • Check if downloads are enabled
  • Check if selection requirement is met
  • Check if gallery has expired
  • Try different browser

Watermark not appearing:

  • Verify watermark is uploaded in Settings
  • Check watermark opacity (not set to 0%)
  • Confirm "Apply watermark" is enabled
  • Refresh gallery page

Notifications not sending:

  • Check email settings are configured
  • Verify client email address is correct
  • Check spam/junk folder
  • Confirm notifications are enabled in gallery settings

Gallery expired too soon:

  • Check expiration date setting
  • Extend expiration if needed
  • Republish gallery with new expiration

What's Next?​

Now that you understand gallery settings, complete your gallery workflow:

Sharing Galleries - Send gallery links and deliver work to clients

Client Selections - Configure selection limits and track favorites

Collections - Organize photos for better client navigation

Questions? Look for the help links throughout ShootPath, or reach out to support if you need help!