ZenFolio Anyone?

[Mamarazzi_2008]

Let me hear about your experiences. Are you happy with it? How do clients like it? Is it easy to use? What are the drawbacks?
Thanks!

[TammyB74]

I actually just signed up for their trial. I added some photos for a client of mine, haven't heard one way or the other if they like it. The only thing I wish I could do, is add a password to each photo set. Maybe it's possible, and I just don't know how.

[Cuchulainn]

I really don't like my Zen Folio account as much as I was hoping that I would. I kept upgrading the features up to pro for the $100 a year, but in the end decided I really didn't care for it that much. I haven't used it in probably 3 months. Unfortunately a bit of wasted money.

I do like some of the features of the pro account such as coupons, low rez proofs, custom pricing etc. But I found the galleries to be kind of ugly and clunky. That is just a subjective opinion though. You may find you like the way it is laid out.

[Taallyn]

I've been using Zenfolio for over a new now. I like it and recommend it. It is easy to use, and I like it's gallery templates. I don't have the Pro account yet. I have been thinking about upgrading to it, but can't really justify it yet.

[TammyB74]

Originally Posted by Cuchulainn

I really don't like my Zen Folio account as much as I was hoping that I would. I kept upgrading the features up to pro for the $100 a year, but in the end decided I really didn't care for it that much. I haven't used it in probably 3 months. Unfortunately a bit of wasted money.

I do like some of the features of the pro account such as coupons, low rez proofs, custom pricing etc. But I found the galleries to be kind of ugly and clunky. That is just a subjective opinion though. You may find you like the way it is laid out.

Who are you using now? And why?

[shutterbug_wannabe]

I have to disagree with Cuchulainn, I LOVE my Zenfolio account. I have the pro version for 100 a year. My clients love it, I have profitted nicely from their orders. They will do a payout of your account to paypal with no fee on either end! This is a great service as the original way they paid was by sending a check and they charged $3 per check for this. They got paypal to waive their fee as well so you can get your profit fee free.

The galleries and such are easy to use and there are several templates to choose from for layouts/themes. I'm sure they will be adding more in the near future. All in all, I really like their service. I have had no issue with them on the customer service side either. Well worth the $100 a year in my opinion.

[Mamarazzi_2008]

Originally Posted by shutterbug_wannabe

I have to disagree with Cuchulainn, I LOVE my Zenfolio account. I have the pro version for 100 a year. My clients love it, I have profitted nicely from their orders. They will do a payout of your account to paypal with no fee on either end! This is a great service as the original way they paid was by sending a check and they charged $3 per check for this. They got paypal to waive their fee as well so you can get your profit fee free.

The galleries and such are easy to use and there are several templates to choose from for layouts/themes. I'm sure they will be adding more in the near future. All in all, I really like their service. I have had no issue with them on the customer service side either. Well worth the $100 a year in my opinion.

So let me get this right and see if I understood the site correctly - you put your low res photos up. People pick and choose and then you submit it to the printing company? I heard that they print through Mpix. Are the prints sent back to you (the photographer) and then you distribute them to the client - or is all everything after the actual shoot handled online?
Sounds good and Im really interested but want to make sure before I go forking over the $$$ KWIM?

[Cuchulainn]

I am using SmugMug now. I like their galleries and layout much better. I also like the gallery customization a lot better. I found Zenfolio pretty downright ugly. Yes, that is just my humble opinion, but I just found it stark and ugly. I mean I know these things are subjective, but for the 1 month I used it for the $100 I personally wish I could get a refund.

I have heard some good things about PhtoBiz. A friend of mine who is a wedding photographer uses them. He has one of their flash sites where adds music to help set the mood etc. Nice presentation. I don't have any experience with them myself, but I may give them a more detailed look.

http://photobiz.com/slideshowbiz.cfm#

Hey, and I don't mind at all if people disagree with me. As I keep saying it is subjective and there is no right or wrong answer. The OP asked "Let me hear about your experiences. Are you happy with it? How do clients like it?" and my answer is I tried it, I didn't like it, my clients didn't like it, I don't use it. My experience is nothing more than my own experience, take that with a grain of salt

I am sure others are very happy with ZenFolio.

Originally Posted by TammyB74

Who are you using now? And why?

[shawngrimes]

I moved from SmugMug to Zenfolio because of their partnership with Mpix.
I like it very much because:

• I can create coupons for customers.
• I can password protect each gallery.
• I can have custom price lists for each gallery if I wanted to.
• I can create a wide variety of items for orders, some that are creative or fun and some that are fine art.

I've ordered some samples from Zenfolio/Mpix and I'm very impressed with the metallic paper look, fantastic look. I also had a print that had an imperfection in it, I emailed them and got a response in an hour and they immediately ordered a reprint and fedex'd it to me. All I had to give them was the order number and a link to the photo and they sorted the rest out. It was an unfortunate circumstance but handled appropriately and graciously.

Just my $0.02.

[valleygirl]

I LOVE it and my clients love it. Can't say enough good things. Only thing is, don't bother signing up for the service where you can have your customers place orders through the site unless you are aware that Zenfolio will take a percentage.