Should my client galleries be password protected?

[snyper77]

I'm in the process of building my website (still lots of blank pages), but my question is should my client galleries be password protected? I personally believe that a person's photo session is a private meeting and that their photos should not be "open" to the public for viewing online.
I purchased the Photo Cart software and I get give my clients a password to their galleries.

Your thoughts please?
I thank you for your time.

[narlus]

yes, but 'ordeal' isn't the tone i hope to set. :D

[snyper77]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to use the word "ordeal". So, there's one vote for "yes" to make all client galleries PW protected.

[Blue S2]

I always do this. I've used a custom smugmug site to let me clients view their proofs online quickly. I always password protected those. I just overhauled my site and have switched to making proofs password protected and unlisted. I give direct links to work now. Some images may be sensitive or of products that are not yet on market. Stuff like this cannot be made public. Passwords are a good idea.

[DerekSimon]

I would password protect the clients galleries simply because it gives the customer peace of mind. I could imagine so people wouldn't want the world seeing personal family portraits and other shots as well. My vote is Yes

[PhotosByT]

I always do this. I've used a custom smugmug site to let me clients view their proofs online quickly. I always password protected those. I just overhauled my site and have switched to making proofs password protected and unlisted. I give direct links to work now. Some images may be sensitive or of products that are not yet on market. Stuff like this cannot be made public. Passwords are a good idea.

Hi Blue,
So in smugmug, you can create multiple galleries with different user/pwd combination for clients?

Thanks,
T

[Leonid Photography]

Hi Blue,
So in smugmug, you can create multiple galleries with different user/pwd combination for clients?

Thanks,
T


Yes you can its a very nice feature, but it does not come with the basic package. You either have to get the middle or high level package.

[carguy4471]

Yes you can its a very nice feature, but it does not come with the basic package. You either have to get the middle or high level package.

I just started up a smugmug trial and must say, it's quite amazing. You can pretty much set it up anyway you like. It only took me a day or two to get the swing of things and it's infinately customizable.

A quick google search can yield 50% off coupon codes. I sent them an email with some detailed questions I had and let them know I was weighing options between them and a lesser expensive website. They kindly offered me a 50% off coupon code during our email exchange. They were very prompt to answer my questions and quite courteous. I was only going to get the Power subscription but with the coupon I'll be going with the Pro instead.

You are welcome to peek at my smugmug in my sig. I've only had it up a short time, but it's a good idea of what you can create very quickly.

[Leonid Photography]

^ their support is definitely one of the best I have ever dealt with. I had a question, emailed then and got a response with in a few hours and everything was sorted out. and it is very easy to customize when you get the hang of it.