Websites for My Galleries

[Hibe]

I've been looking at websites where I can upload, safely store and share my images. I think I have narrowed it down to two... Zenfolio and SmugMug. I would truely value any insites and opinions you have on these or any other sites you have used.

Thanks much,

[mom to 4]

I have a smugmug site. I took it to the pro level last month. I still have a lot of cutomizing to do to it, but I really love it. Those of us with smugmug can give you a $5. discount too....:D;). I originally got my smugmug in October of 06. No problems....

[deedeeO]

I've been using SmugMug Pro since June and so far I like it. I've been making sales, and the quality of the prints are professional. I'm still working on the customization of my site, but it is coming along....so far that is the only learning curve. Their customer service is very personal and fast. No complaints from me so far (however, I would like to choose where I would like my prints done...that is my only complaint)...

[Hibe]

Thank you both for the input. I guess if I get enough of you with SmugMug to give me referals, I can get it for free ... LOL.

I think the complaint about printer choices goes for Zenfolio as well although I think they have a choice of 2.. maybe 3 printers. You can always send the prints to other printers yourself though, right?

I don't want to be too nosy, but what is the split on a sale of an image... 50/50? My friend/employee/photo guru has been presenting photo art for a number of years and is looking into similar sites, but ones that cater more torwards publishers looking for stock footage. He says that is a common percentage split among many of these sites.

Thanks again,

[deedeeO]

Smugmug keeps 15% which covers their accounting costs....printing, credit card transactions, etc. The other thing I like about smugmug is the security of the galleries and watermarking feature. Big bonus for photo hackers.

[deedeeO]

And yes, I could use smugmug as just a house for my clients proofs, and have the photos printed elsewhere, but I really needed someone else to handle the accounting stuff for now. It is nice to just uploaded my final proofs, send an email to my clients and tell them buy at their leisure. I also like the unlimited space and time in which I can house my photos. So being the nice person that I am, I house my clients proofs for up to a year (most photographers limit it to 2-3 months). And my clients can share their galleries with friends and families all over and they can buy too. And when purchases are made I can obtain a detail purchase order of what they bought. Very nice!!!

[baderms]

I've been using Zenfolio for about 6 months now. The are getting ready to add the feature that will allow you to set the amount to sell a photo. Right now you can sell on line, but just at cost. I like the security, speed and look of the site. I've had no problems with it yet.