Online preview

[Niter]

Hello,

I will be getting a couple (hopefully more) shoot for portraits and I was wondering, which is the best website (and easiest) to set up a password protected gallery for the clients to preview and choose the pictures they want?

Thank you

[Jim Poor]

The best is build your own.

Pbase worked for me in the begining.

I just started Zenfolio and can't say enough good things about it. You can set up the site to order prints, and even price out digital downloads (which is huge in my book).

Ryan Taylor Photography

[GadgetRick]

There are a few companies who are offering this type of service for those of us who don't want to build our own. I use Smugmug. Others use Zenfolio. There are others. I can't say Smugmug is perfect, but I did look at others and decided on Smugmug. Zenfolio was ok but a bit confusing setting it up although not horrible.

Honestly, I don't know which is the best one. I use Smugmug because it seems to fit my needs but I do have a few complaints about them.

[mandyatm]

I use Zenfolio and love it. It makes the pictures look really nice and the quality of prints is good and they are reasonably priced. I don't know how it compares to Smugmug though.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by mandyatm

I use Zenfolio and love it. It makes the pictures look really nice and the quality of prints is good and they are reasonably priced. I don't know how it compares to Smugmug though.

Pricing is similar although slightly less than Smugmug (with coupons which are readily available online). Smugmug is easier to set up a site than Zenfolio. Not that Zenfolio is terribly difficult, just a little less intuitive than Smugmug.

Smugmug gives you a choice of one of two print fulfillment companies. Both of which seem to be excellent. I don't expect anything less of Zenfolio.

I know Smugmug has an active board where you can post questions about the service, customization, etc. I didn't check to see if Zenfolio has the same but I'm guessing they probably do.

The Smugmug Heros (their support people) seem to be extremely good from the dealings I've had with them. I didn't deal with Zenfolio support so I can't say whether they're good or bad.

All in all, I don't think you could go wrong with either. Both give you a free 2 week trial. Try them out.

[Gromguitar4]

I agree with the Smugmug. If you have any CSS knowledge you can really customize it. I assume you want one that they can order prints from so you don't have to do it and they do a great job. Plus you get a portion of the profits along with whatever you choose to charge them for the shoot. Good luck!