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Delivering Your Work

Quick Reference​

Gallery delivery is the final step in your photography workflow - getting your edited photos into your client's hands!

The Post-Shoot Process:

  • Edit your photos - Use your preferred editing software (outside ShootPath)
  • Upload to ShootPath - Create galleries and organize into collections
  • Client reviews - Clients view, select favorites, and download photos
  • Publish collections - Share curated sets like sneak peeks or highlights
  • Final delivery - Client downloads their photos, job marked complete

Key Concepts:

  • Galleries - Where you upload and organize all photos for a job
  • Collections - Curated subsets (sneak peeks, highlights, finals)
  • Client selections - Photos your client favorites or purchases
  • Download options - Individual photos, collections, or full gallery

Typical Timeline:

  • Weddings - 4-8 weeks for full gallery delivery
  • Portraits - 2-3 weeks for edited photos
  • Events - 1-2 weeks for quick turnaround
  • Sneak peeks - 24-48 hours after shoot
Set Expectations Early

Always communicate your delivery timeline in your contract and quote! Clients appreciate knowing when to expect their photos. Under-promise and over-deliver - if you say "4 weeks" and deliver in 3, you're a hero!

Next Steps: After delivering the gallery, mark the job complete and celebrate another successful project!

Detailed Guide​

What Happens After the Shoot?​

The photoshoot might feel like the big event, but for your client, the real excitement is getting their photos! This is where your hard work pays off and your client's vision becomes reality.

The journey from shoot to delivery:

  1. You shoot - Capture amazing photos
  2. You cull - Select the best shots
  3. You edit - Apply your style and polish
  4. You upload - Add photos to ShootPath gallery
  5. Client reviews - They view and select favorites
  6. You deliver - They download and enjoy their photos
  7. Job complete - You close out the project

This delivery phase is critical for client satisfaction. A smooth gallery experience and timely delivery create happy clients who refer others and book you again!

Step 1: Editing Your Photos​

ShootPath doesn't handle photo editing - that's where your artistic expertise comes in! You'll use your preferred editing tools to create the final images.

Common editing workflows:

Professional Software:

  • Adobe Lightroom - Industry standard for photo editing
  • Capture One - Advanced color grading and tethering
  • Photoshop - Detailed retouching and compositing
  • DxO PhotoLab - Noise reduction and lens corrections

Editing Steps:

  1. Import - Load photos from your camera/SD cards
  2. Cull - Select the best shots (delete blurry, closed eyes, duplicates)
  3. Batch edit - Apply presets or baseline adjustments
  4. Fine-tune - Individual adjustments for each photo
  5. Export - Save as high-resolution JPEGs ready for delivery

File organization tips:

Keep your edited photos organized before uploading:

/2026/
  /Smith-Wedding/
    /Raw/              (Original files)
    /Selects/          (Culled shots)
    /Edited/           (Final JPEGs)
      /Sneak-Peeks/    (5-10 preview photos)
      /Full-Gallery/   (All edited photos)

This structure makes it easy to find files for upload and keeps your workflow organized!

Export Settings

Export high-resolution JPEGs (longest edge 4000-6000px, quality 90-95%) for gallery uploads. This ensures clients get printable files while keeping file sizes reasonable for web viewing.

Step 2: Creating Galleries in ShootPath​

Once your photos are edited, it's time to upload them to ShootPath!

A gallery is where you upload, organize, and share photos for a specific job. Each job can have one gallery that contains all the photos you're delivering to that client.

Galleries include:

  • Photo uploads - All your edited images
  • Collections - Organized subsets (sneak peeks, ceremony, reception, etc.)
  • Download options - Client can download individual photos or entire sets
  • Watermarks (optional) - Protect your work with branding
  • Pricing (optional) - Sell prints or digital files

To create a gallery for a job:

  1. Open the job from your Jobs list
  2. Go to the Files & Gallery tab
  3. Click "Create Gallery"
  4. Configure settings:
    • Gallery name (e.g., "Sarah & Tom Wedding Gallery")
    • Download options (allow/restrict downloads)
    • Watermark settings (apply watermark to previews)
    • Expiration date (when gallery access ends, if applicable)
  5. Click "Create"

Your gallery is now ready for photo uploads!

Uploading Photos​

ShootPath makes uploading simple:

Drag & Drop:

  • Drag files directly from Finder/Explorer into the gallery
  • Upload multiple photos at once
  • See progress bar as files upload

Bulk Upload:

  • Click "Upload Photos" button
  • Select multiple files (Shift+click or Cmd/Ctrl+A)
  • Hit "Open" to start upload

What happens during upload:

  1. Original files stored securely
  2. Thumbnails generated for quick loading
  3. Preview images created for client viewing
  4. Metadata extracted (camera settings, date, etc.)

Upload tips:

  • Upload in batches if you have hundreds of photos (prevents timeouts)
  • Name files consistently (IMG_0001.jpg or Smith-Wedding-001.jpg)
  • Double-check you've exported edited versions, not raw files!
Check Your Edits

Before uploading, spot-check a few photos to make sure you exported the edited versions! Accidentally uploading raw or unedited files is embarrassing and delays delivery.

Organizing into Collections​

Collections help you organize photos into logical groups within a gallery.

Common collection types:

For Weddings:

  • Sneak Peeks (5-10 highlights shared early)
  • Getting Ready
  • Ceremony
  • Portraits
  • Reception
  • Dancing & Toasts
  • Highlights (your favorite 50-75 photos)

For Portrait Sessions:

  • Sneak Peeks (3-5 favorites shared early)
  • Outfit 1
  • Outfit 2
  • Location 1 (e.g., "Park Photos")
  • Location 2 (e.g., "Downtown Photos")
  • Highlights (your top picks)

For Events:

  • Sneak Peeks (shared same day/next day)
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Networking & Guests
  • Awards Ceremony
  • Full Gallery

To create a collection:

  1. In your gallery, click "Add Collection"
  2. Name it (e.g., "Ceremony")
  3. Select photos to include (drag & drop or checkboxes)
  4. Set visibility (private until ready, then publish)
  5. Save

Clients can browse collections to find specific moments quickly instead of scrolling through hundreds of photos!

Customize how your gallery works:

Download Options:

  • Allow downloads - Clients can download high-res files
  • Restrict downloads - View only (if selling prints instead)
  • Require selections - Client must pick favorites before downloading all

Watermark Settings:

  • Apply to previews - Watermark visible while browsing
  • No watermark on downloads - Clean files for client downloads
  • Always watermark - Branding on all versions

Access Control:

  • Password protection (optional) - Extra security
  • Expiration date - Gallery access ends after X days/months
  • Download limits - Restrict how many times files can be downloaded

Sharing:

  • Gallery link - Unique URL for client access
  • Email notification - Auto-send "Your gallery is ready!" email

Configure these based on your business model and how you deliver photos!

Watermark Strategy

Apply watermarks to preview images (so clients can share on social media with your branding) but deliver clean, unwatermarked high-res downloads. This protects your work during browsing while giving clients printable files!

Step 3: Client Selections & Reviews​

Once you've uploaded the gallery, your client can log in and review their photos!

The Client Experience​

When clients access their gallery, they see:

Gallery Homepage:

  • Your business logo and branding
  • Gallery name (e.g., "Your Wedding Gallery")
  • Total photo count
  • Collections (organized by category)
  • Download buttons

Browsing Photos:

  • Thumbnail grid view (fast scanning)
  • Full-screen lightbox (click any photo)
  • Next/previous navigation
  • Zoom in on details
  • Photo info (date, filename)

Actions Clients Can Take:

  • Favorite photos - Heart icon to mark selections
  • Download individual photos - Right-click or download button
  • Download collections - Get all photos in a category
  • Download entire gallery - Get everything as a ZIP file
  • Share gallery - Send link to family/friends
  • Order prints (if enabled) - Purchase physical products

Client Selections (Favorites)​

Many photographers ask clients to select their favorite photos for prints, albums, or just to know which images resonated most.

How client selections work:

  1. Client browses gallery and clicks the heart icon on photos they love
  2. Selections are saved in ShootPath
  3. You can view selections from the job page
  4. Use selections to create albums, canvas prints, or thank-you cards

Why client selections are valuable:

  • Know which photos they love most
  • Build albums with their favorites
  • Understand what style resonates for future shoots
  • Clients feel involved in the delivery process

Example workflow:

"Sarah, your full gallery is ready! Please browse through and favorite 50 photos you'd like in your wedding album. Once you've made your selections, I'll get started on the album design!"

This gives clients agency while helping you deliver exactly what they want!

Downloads​

Download options you can offer:

Individual Downloads:

  • Client clicks a photo, hits "Download"
  • High-res JPEG saved to their device
  • Great for sharing specific photos on social media

Collection Downloads:

  • Client clicks "Download Collection"
  • All photos in that category downloaded as ZIP
  • Perfect for organizing (e.g., download just ceremony photos)

Full Gallery Download:

  • Client clicks "Download All"
  • Every photo in the gallery as one ZIP file
  • Ideal for backing up or getting everything at once

Smart download tips:

Set up downloads based on your delivery model:

Model 1: Full Access

  • Client can download everything immediately
  • Best for: Included digital files in package

Model 2: Selections First

  • Client must favorite X photos first
  • Then they can download all or just selections
  • Best for: Album-focused packages where you want input

Model 3: Restricted Access

  • View only, no downloads
  • Client orders prints/products through you
  • Best for: Print-sales business model

Choose the model that fits your workflow and business goals!

Download Reminders

Set gallery expiration dates (30-90 days) and remind clients to download before the deadline! "Hi Sarah, your gallery expires in 2 weeks - make sure you've downloaded all your photos!"

Step 4: Publishing Collections (Sneak Peeks & Highlights)​

Collections let you share photos strategically throughout the delivery process!

What Are Collections?​

Collections are curated subsets of your full gallery. Think of them as chapters in a book or playlists in a music app.

Your full gallery might have 400 wedding photos. Collections within it might include:

  • Sneak Peeks (10 photos) - Published day after wedding
  • Highlights (50 photos) - Published 1 week later
  • Full Gallery (all 400) - Published 4 weeks later

Why Use Collections?​

Build excitement early: Share 5-10 sneak peek photos within 24-48 hours of the shoot. This keeps clients excited while you finish editing the full gallery.

Guide the narrative: Organize photos by timeline (getting ready, ceremony, reception) so clients can relive their day in order.

Deliver in stages: Publish highlights first (your favorite 50-75 photos), then full gallery later. This gives clients something to enjoy immediately!

Create specialized sets: "Black & White Collection," "Bride Portraits," "Family Formals" - curated sets for specific purposes.

Creating and Publishing Collections​

Step 1: Create the collection

  • In gallery, click "Add Collection"
  • Name it (e.g., "Sneak Peeks")
  • Set visibility to "Private" (not visible to client yet)

Step 2: Add photos

  • Select 5-10 of your favorite shots
  • Drag them into the collection
  • Arrange in order (tell a story!)

Step 3: Publish when ready

  • Change visibility to "Public"
  • Client gets notification: "New photos added to your gallery!"
  • They can view and download this collection immediately

Example sneak peek workflow:

Day 1 (shoot day):

  • Take amazing photos
  • Download cards at home

Day 2:

  • Import and cull 5-10 favorite shots
  • Quick edit in Lightroom
  • Export and upload to ShootPath
  • Add to "Sneak Peeks" collection
  • Publish and notify client

Client receives email: "Your sneak peeks are here! 🎉"

Day 3-30:

  • Continue editing full gallery
  • Publish "Highlights" collection after 1-2 weeks
  • Publish "Full Gallery" collection after 3-4 weeks

This staged delivery keeps clients engaged throughout the editing process!

Pro Tip

Sneak peeks are GOLD for marketing! Clients share them on social media immediately, tagging you and generating buzz while their day is still top-of-mind for their followers. Always include 1-2 stunning sneak peeks within 48 hours!

Collection Delivery Strategies​

Different photographers use different approaches:

Strategy 1: All at Once

  • Edit entire gallery
  • Upload everything
  • Publish one "Full Gallery" collection
  • Done!

Best for: Simple sessions, quick turnarounds, or when you want to minimize back-and-forth

Strategy 2: Sneak Peeks + Full Gallery

  • Day 2: Publish 5-10 sneak peeks
  • Week 3-4: Publish full gallery
  • Two touchpoints with client

Best for: Weddings, portraits, any shoot where you want early excitement

Strategy 3: Highlights + Full Gallery

  • Week 1-2: Publish 50-75 highlight photos (your favorites)
  • Week 3-4: Publish remaining photos as "Full Gallery"
  • Client gets curated set first, then access to everything

Best for: Large galleries (weddings, events) where clients may feel overwhelmed by 400+ photos

Strategy 4: Staged Collections

  • Week 1: Sneak Peeks (10 photos)
  • Week 2: Highlights (50 photos)
  • Week 4: Full Gallery (all photos)
  • Three touchpoints, maximum engagement

Best for: High-touch clients, premium packages, when you want to create anticipation

Choose the strategy that fits your workflow and client expectations!

Step 5: Gallery Delivery & Client Notification​

Once your gallery is ready (or a collection is published), it's time to let your client know!

Automatic Notifications​

ShootPath sends automatic email notifications when:

  • Gallery is created and first photos uploaded
  • New collection is published
  • Gallery will expire soon (reminder to download)

Example email:

Subject: Your Wedding Gallery is Ready! 🎉

Hi Sarah,

Your wedding gallery is now live! I've uploaded all 425 edited photos
from your beautiful day.

View your gallery: [Click here]

You can browse, favorite, download, and share your photos. The gallery
will be available for 90 days.

Thank you for trusting me to capture your special day!

Best,
[Your Name]

Manual Delivery Messages​

You can also send personal messages through ShootPath or email:

For sneak peeks:

"Sarah! I couldn't wait to share a few favorites from your session yesterday. Here are 5 sneak peeks while I finish editing the rest. SO good! 😍"

For highlights:

"Your highlight collection is ready! I've curated my 50 favorite photos from your wedding. The full gallery will be ready in 2 weeks!"

For full gallery:

"All 425 photos from your wedding are now in your gallery! Take your time browsing, favorite your favorites, and download everything. You'll have access for 90 days. Enjoy reliving your incredible day!"

Personal messages add warmth and show you care about the delivery experience!

Each gallery has a unique, secure URL:

https://yourshootpath.com/gallery/abc123xyz

How clients access:

  • Click link in email notification
  • Or log into their client portal
  • Gallery loads with all photos/collections

Sharing: Clients can share the gallery link with family and friends (if you enable this). Great for destination weddings where guests want to see photos!

Security: Gallery URLs are long and random (abc123xyz) so they can't be guessed. You can also add password protection for extra security.

Gallery Access Duration

Most photographers give 30-90 days of gallery access. After that, the gallery can expire and be archived. Communicate this clearly: "Your gallery will be available for 60 days - please download all photos before [date]!"

Step 6: Final Payment & Delivery​

Many photographers tie final payment to gallery delivery. Here's how that works:

Payment Before Delivery​

Common approach:

  • Deposit collected at booking
  • Balance due 1-2 weeks before shoot
  • Gallery delivered only after full payment received

Why this works:

  • Ensures you're fully paid for your work
  • Maintains leverage for collecting final payment
  • Standard professional practice

Example timeline:

  • Jan 15: Client books, pays $1,000 deposit
  • Feb 1: Final $1,000 payment due
  • Feb 3: Client pays final balance
  • Feb 10: Session happens
  • Feb 24: You deliver gallery (2 weeks post-shoot)

By collecting final payment BEFORE the shoot, you're fully paid before delivering photos. No chasing down money after the fact!

Payment After Delivery​

Alternative approach:

  • Deposit collected at booking
  • Balance due before gallery delivery (after shoot, before upload)

Example timeline:

  • Jan 15: Client books, pays $1,000 deposit
  • Jan 20: Session happens
  • Feb 10: Editing complete
  • Feb 10: Invoice sent for final $1,000 balance
  • Feb 12: Client pays final balance
  • Feb 12: Gallery published

This approach works if your contract states "final payment due before gallery delivery" and you're comfortable waiting until editing is done to collect the balance.

Preview-first approach:

  • Deliver low-res previews or watermarked images
  • Client reviews and makes selections
  • After final payment, unlock high-res downloads

Why some photographers do this:

  • Client sees the work (builds excitement!)
  • You maintain leverage for payment
  • Client knows the quality before paying final amount

Caution: Make sure your contract explicitly states this! Don't surprise clients by delivering watermarked-only photos if they expected full access.

Final Payment Rule

Whatever your approach, make it crystal clear in your contract and quote: "Gallery delivered within 4 weeks of the session, after final payment is received." No surprises = happy clients!

Step 7: Mark the Job Complete​

Once the gallery is delivered, final payment received, and your client is happy - it's time to close out the job!

Completing a Job in ShootPath​

To mark a job complete:

  1. Open the job from your Jobs list
  2. Go to the job overview
  3. Check off the final workflow task: "Gallery Delivered"
  4. Click "Mark Job Complete"

What happens when you complete a job:

  • Status changes from "Production" to "Complete"
  • Job no longer shows in your active job count
  • Gallery remains accessible (until expiration)
  • All records preserved for your archives

Why Mark Jobs Complete?​

Stay organized: Your dashboard shows "Jobs in Production" - these are active projects requiring your attention. Completed jobs are out of your immediate queue.

Accurate reporting: Know how many jobs you've completed this year, average time from shoot to delivery, and other valuable metrics.

Client communication: Closing a job lets you send a final "Thank you" message and request a review/testimonial.

Mental closure: It feels good to officially complete a project! On to the next one!

After Job Completion​

Follow up with client:

  • Send thank-you message
  • Request testimonial or review
  • Ask for referrals (if appropriate)
  • Check in: "Did you get all your photos downloaded?"

Archive your files:

  • Keep edited gallery photos for 1-2 years minimum
  • Archive raw files (external hard drive or cloud storage)
  • Document what you learned for future shoots

Celebrate: You successfully delivered another project! Take a moment to appreciate your work before diving into the next one.

Request Reviews Early

Ask for testimonials within 1-2 weeks of gallery delivery, while clients are excited and photos are fresh in their minds. "If you loved your experience, I'd be so grateful for a quick Google review!"

Common Delivery Strategies by Job Type​

Different photography niches have different delivery expectations:

Wedding Galleries​

Timeline: 4-8 weeks for full gallery

Structure:

  • Day 2: Sneak peeks (10 photos)
  • Week 2: Highlights (75 photos)
  • Week 6: Full gallery (400-600 photos)

Collections:

  • Getting Ready
  • First Look
  • Ceremony
  • Portraits
  • Reception
  • Dancing
  • Highlights

Client expectations: Weddings are huge investments - clients expect professional, timely delivery. Under-promise on timeline (say 8 weeks) and over-deliver (deliver in 6).

Portrait Sessions​

Timeline: 2-3 weeks for full gallery

Structure:

  • Day 2: Sneak peeks (3-5 photos)
  • Week 2-3: Full gallery (25-50 photos)

Collections:

  • Sneak Peeks
  • Outfit 1
  • Outfit 2
  • Location 1
  • Location 2
  • Highlights

Client expectations: Quick turnaround! Portrait clients often want photos for holiday cards, announcements, or gifts with tight deadlines. Communicate timeline clearly and stick to it.

Events​

Timeline: 1-2 weeks for full gallery

Structure:

  • Same day or next day: Sneak peeks (10-20 photos)
  • Week 1-2: Full gallery (200-500 photos)

Collections:

  • Sneak Peeks
  • Keynote/Speaker
  • Networking
  • Awards
  • Full Gallery

Client expectations: Fast delivery! Event photos are often used for immediate marketing, social media, or follow-up communications. Speed is critical.

Newborn Sessions​

Timeline: 2-3 weeks for full gallery

Structure:

  • Week 1: Sneak peeks (3-5 photos)
  • Week 2-3: Full gallery (20-40 photos)

Collections:

  • Sneak Peeks
  • Baby Portraits
  • Family Shots
  • Sibling Photos
  • Highlights

Client expectations: Parents are sleep-deprived and eager for photos! Fast turnaround wins major bonus points. Deliver on time and they'll book you for every milestone.

Communicate timelines upfront State your delivery timeline in your quote, contract, and booking confirmation. "Gallery delivered within 4 weeks of your session." No surprises!

Set realistic expectations Don't promise 2-week delivery if you need 4 weeks. Under-promise and over-deliver - it's always better to deliver early than late.

Use workflow tasks ShootPath's workflow tasks help you track: "Edit photos," "Upload gallery," "Deliver gallery." Check them off as you complete each step.

Batch your editing Block out dedicated editing time on your calendar. Don't try to edit between shoots - you'll feel overwhelmed and miss deadlines.

Create templates Save time by using collection templates: "Wedding Standard Collections" (getting ready, ceremony, portraits, reception). Apply with one click!

Check file quality before uploading Spot-check a few photos to ensure proper exposure, color, and export settings. Catching issues before upload saves re-work!

Test the gallery before notifying client Click through as if you're the client. Make sure downloads work, collections are organized, and everything looks polished.

Send sneak peeks FAST Even if the full gallery takes 4 weeks, deliver 5-10 sneak peeks within 48 hours. This builds excitement and shows you care!

Communicate if delays happen Life happens - family emergency, equipment failure, sick kids. If you're going to miss your timeline, let the client know ASAP. Most are understanding if you communicate!

Back up everything Keep multiple copies of edited galleries - local hard drive, external drive, cloud backup. Losing a client's photos is a nightmare scenario!

Editing Pace

Most photographers can edit 50-75 photos per hour once they're in a rhythm. Use this to estimate timelines: 400-photo wedding = 6-8 hours of editing. Block this time on your calendar!

What's Next?​

Now that you understand gallery delivery, you're ready to close out jobs successfully!

Your delivery workflow:

  1. Shoot amazing photos
  2. Edit in your preferred software
  3. Upload to ShootPath gallery ← You learned this!
  4. Organize into collections
  5. Publish and notify client
  6. Client reviews, selects, and downloads
  7. Mark the job complete

Want to learn more about galleries? Check out the Gallery Management documentation for advanced features like print sales, download restrictions, and client ordering.

Need help with client communication? Explore email templates for gallery notifications and delivery messages.

Curious about workflow optimization? Read about workflow customization to streamline your post-shoot process.

Ready to accept your first payment? Learn about Understanding Payments to collect deposits and final balances.

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