Pro Photo Hosting Choices

[xpsentity]

I'm looking for opinions on the best site to use for display and sale of prints. Following the mantra of 'you get what you pay for', I'm not adverse to most pricing, and will pay what is necessary to get what I need.

Criteria:

Password protected client galleries
Unlimited storage / Backup
Multitude of print options / proofing
Domain redirect
NO ADS
Clean galleries / viewing options
Own price setting / Custom Pricing
Minimized Clutter / Clicks
Maximum browser compatibility (Some people..)
Excellent photo lab options / quality of prints

I'm -not- looking for somewhere for critique of images, comments, etc. That's what flickr / dA / et al are for.

I've looked at Zenfolio and Smugmug so far, and I'd like opinions on both as well as other sites I've not thought of.

[tofuboy]

I'm using Smugmug, I prefer their layout and ability to customize the best. I wish I could choose mpix as the print house and offer discount coupons... maybe someday in the future. But my number one criteria was a site that looked and functioned the best, and for me, Smugmug was that site.

Zenfolio was a close second for me.

[Mike R]

Check out Exposure Manager, They offer everthing you are looking for. Click on the link below to see how I have it set up.

[bobbyz]

I have Zenfolio, just moving from SmugMug.

SmugMug offers more customization if you interested but Zenfolio configuration seems much easier to me. Also Zenfolio charges less per print from same lab as SmugMug. ExposureManager charges even less than Zenfolio but presentation looks quite old to me.

I posted some comparison between SmugMug/Zenfolio, here it is:

1. Space/bandwidth wise, don't worry you can store umlimited stuff.
2. Smugmug pro is $150 per yr while Zenfolio till end of the month is only $80

3. Smugmug pro offers lot more customization. On Zendolio you only have themes etc. not much more.

4. You can sell prints with both but Zenfolio prints are cheaper than Smugmug. Of course you can increase your markup on SmugMug but using EZPrints (which I think both do) cost should be same for the consumer.

5. SmugMug has digital download, Zenfolio doesn' t have it yet.
6. I am liking interface of Zenfolio

7. Things like access control, creating galleries, groups etc seems much easier on Zenfolio.

8. SmugMug pro does some slideshow thing on your front page, which is nice.
9. Zenflio offers self fulfillment which SumgMug doesn't.

10. SmugMug has proof delay but Zenfolio doesn't it but I think something like it is coming soon as I can see an option being grayed out right now.

Wish both of these guys took some features of Exposure Manager and made them better. Interface of EM was my main problem with them.

[Sauk]

by the way you can also have the prints printed by you in zenfolio. Instead of being sent to mpix or ez you can do the prints yourself.

[xpsentity]

by the way you can also have the prints printed by you in zenfolio. Instead of being sent to mpix or ez you can do the prints yourself.

Not sure I understand. I can print all I want from photoshop myself, so... er?

[Primm]

Not sure I understand. I can print all I want from photoshop myself, so... er?

When other people order prints, instead of the order being sent to MPix or EZPrints, they send the order to you so you can do with it what you want.

Obviously if you are the photographer you can print the photos wherever you want.

[MJPhotos24]

Exposure Manager...all the way, no doubt!

Costomization...
http://mikejanesphotography.exposuremanager.com/g/attica_wrestling_tournament_-_1207

Link in signature will give ya a trial and show you the options.

[xpsentity]

When other people order prints, instead of the order being sent to MPix or EZPrints, they send the order to you so you can do with it what you want.

Obviously if you are the photographer you can print the photos wherever you want.

Ah, I get it. That's awesome. Thanks for the explanation.

[bobbyz]

by the way you can also have the prints printed by you in zenfolio. Instead of being sent to mpix or ez you can do the prints yourself.

I agree. I just wish Zenfolio collected the money from the client for self-fulfillment, which they don't. They just pass you the order, it is up to you to collect the money from your client and then process the order and they charge 6% for it.