How do you "deliver" your photos to the client?

-Duck- wrote in post #18098191
A while back I used Dropbox myself but it's ugly, unbranded and clumsy at best. I was looking to somehow integrate a distribution from my site (Wordpress at that time) and wasn't satisfied with many of the choices as I was also looking for fulfilment for prints. I checked out a few and finally settled on SmugMug. I'm at the first payment tier (not the pro) and while I can't do multiple price lists (which would be nice and maybe in the future) it does give easy access to customer files within a few clicks. Folders can also be password protected to keep unauthorized access. A nice feature for boudoir clients.

I have to say, their online design process is a bit clumsy but once you get the hang of it making changes becomes easier. You can click on the first link in my signature line below to see how I use their service for portfolio, clients and general event photography.

Hope this helps.

While I deliver RE images via TourBuzz, for many other purposes, I use ShootProof. Unlike Smugmug, ShootProof does not charge a commission on sales and I can sell images for cost or give them away if I want without paying an additional fee to ShootProof. The cost is reasonable, the website is clean and easy to use for both me and my clients, and the only additional charges I get are for credit card fees.

rgs wrote in post #18098306
While I deliver RE images via TourBuzz, for many other purposes, I use ShootProof. Unlike Smugmug, ShootProof does not charge a commission on sales and I can sell images for cost or give them away if I want without paying an additional fee to ShootProof. The cost is reasonable, the website is clean and easy to use for both me and my clients, and the only additional charges I get are for credit card fees.

Thanks for the info Richard. So I gather that ShootProof is a printing company and handles print fulfilment? I only took a cursory look at their site. I didn't delve into it. I'll do that later when I have more time.

-Duck- wrote in post #18098595
Thanks for the info Richard. So I gather that ShootProof is a printing company and handles print fulfilment? I only took a cursory look at their site. I didn't delve into it. I'll do that later when I have more time.

No they don't print. They have partnerships with several labs that they send any orders too. You get to choose the labs, prices, products, ect. When there is an order, it is sent to the lab you have selected and then either drop shipped to your client or shipped to you. Shootproof collects from the client, pays the lab, deducts credit card charges and sends you the balance. You can also have the orders sent to you and you take it from there if you want. In that case, Shootproof just handles the payment for you.

I use Shoot Proof as well for digital and print fulfilment. It's cheap and you don't have to pay the crazy Pro price of Smugmug.

Good to know. Thanks for the info.

I've been using DropBox for years and have never had an issue with it. Every once in a while I get a client who can't figure out how to click three buttons so I made a "how to' PFT for Mac and PC users with screenshots showing the exact steps.

I know this thread is old, but I can't seem to find WeTransfer in here.

It's a neat and simple website www.wetransfer.com for the sole prupose of sending large file (sets).

It even has an macOS app (I don't use the app, the website is sufficient for me)

I compress the shots to a single .zip file, save to Dropbox and provide the download link via email to the client as well as creating an album for each property on my Flickr account.

In Washington State, so long as I deliver via digital transfer, I do not have to collect sales tax. The income from licensing fees are considered "Royalties" and not subject to sales tax. If I deliver a tangible, physical "product" (CD, thumbdrive, data card) I now have a sale of physical goods instead of service and have to collect sales taxes.


Seems silly, but that is the way it is in this state. None of the agents I work with have had a problem and it speeds the process compared to getting a physical item back to the them. I frequently edit and deliver photos same day and have never more than 20 hours from shoot to delivery.