Stop paying monthly fees for photo galleries. Build a professional delivery system that works for event, wedding, and portrait photographers.

The Problem with Photo Galleries

Traditional photo delivery platforms have serious issues:

  • Expensive: $25-40/month for features you barely use
  • Bloated: Slow loading times kill the client experience
  • Locked in: Your photos live on their servers forever
  • Overkill: Most clients just want to download photos

My Photography Delivery Workflow

Here's the exact system I use for wedding and event photography:

Phase 1: Preparation

After editing, I organize photos into folders:

```Smith-Wedding-2026/├── 01-Getting-Ready/├── 02-Ceremony/├── 03-Reception/├── 04-Portraits/└── FULL-RES-EDITED/```

Phase 2: Upload Strategy

I create two separate shares:

Share 1: Preview Gallery (Web-Resolution)

  • Password protected
  • 14-day expiration
  • Download tracking enabled
  • File size: ~2MB per photo
  • Separate password (given after preview approval)
  • 30-day expiration
  • One-time download link
  • File size: ~25MB per photo

Phase 3: Client Communication

My delivery email template:

```Subject: Your [Event] Photos Are Ready! 🎉

Hi [Client Names],

Your edited photos are ready to view and download!

📸 PREVIEW GALLERY (Web Resolution)🔗 Link: [Preview URL]🔒 Password: [XXXX]⏰ Available for 14 days📊 238 photos included

These web-resolution photos are perfect for social media and previewing. Once you've reviewed them, reply to this email and I'll send the full-resolution download link.

🎯 FULL RESOLUTION PACKAGEComing soon! After you've reviewed the previews, I'll send a separate link for the full-res files (perfect for printing and archiving).

Questions? Just hit reply!

Cheers,[Your Name]📷 [Your Photography Business]```

Why This System Works

For Event Photography

Corporate events need fast turnaround:

  • Upload during event (tethered shooting)
  • Share link while event is still happening
  • 7-day expiration creates urgency
  • Clients download immediately for social posts

For Wedding Photography

Weddings require a premium experience:

  • Two-tier delivery (preview then full-res)
  • 30-day window prevents rushed decisions
  • Password protection adds exclusivity
  • Download tracking shows family sharing patterns

For Portrait Sessions

Portraits need quick selection workflow:

  • Numbered file names (001-045.jpg)
  • Client selects favorites by number
  • Second link with only selected photos
  • Automatic deletion after download

Advanced Photographer Tips

Watermark Only the Previews

Smart strategy I use:

  • Preview gallery: Watermarked, web-res
  • Full-res download: Clean, print-ready
  • Protects your work during review phase
  • Delivers clean files after approval

Analytics = Better Client Service

The download tracking reveals insights:

  • If 0 downloads after 3 days → follow up
  • Multiple downloads from same IP → family sharing (good!)
  • Downloads from unexpected location → verify with client

Real Results

"I used to spend $35/month on photo gallery services. Now I pay nothing for 90% of jobs, and clients actually prefer the simple download process. Plus, the password protection makes them feel special." — Marcus T., Wedding Photographer

"I used to spend $35/month on photo gallery services. Now I pay nothing for 90% of jobs, and clients actually prefer the simple download process. Plus, the password protection makes them feel special."

Cost Breakdown

That's up to $360/year in savings.

Implementation Checklist

  • Create folder structure template
  • Write delivery email template
  • Set default security settings (password + expiration)
  • Test workflow with personal photos
  • Send to first client
  • Gather feedback and refine

Key Takeaways

  • Two-tier delivery (preview + full-res) improves experience
  • Password protection adds perceived value
  • Expiration dates create healthy urgency
  • Download tracking enables proactive follow-up
  • Save $300-400/year vs. traditional galleries