Sharing photos isn't just about sending pictures to others. It plays a crucial role in protecting your business and earning trust from potential clients. When you use a secure system, you can keep unauthorized people away from your images. This makes potential clients feel more secure about working with you.

In this guide, we'll go over different ways to share photos and how they can help your business grow. Keep in mind that you don't need every tool right away. Choose what fits your current needs while considering features that might be useful in the future.

Let's begin by talking about delivering photos to clients. Whether you're a wedding photographer, cover corporate events, or take product photos for e-commerce, there will be times when people try to use your images without paying. You can take steps to protect your valuable work, and we'll show you how.

These include:

• Watermarking
• Low-res samples
• Password protected galleries
• Encrypted links
• Right click prevention
• Small file-size images in the code base

The simplest way to safeguard your deliverables is by using watermarks. When you're considering a photo-sharing service, ask their customer support if they can automatically add watermarks whenever someone accesses the images in your galleries. Just slapping your logo on the image won't cut it, as logos can be easily removed. But if you're not a fan of watermarks, don't worry, there are other ways to keep your images safe.

The next step is preventing right-click downloads. Some users will try to right-click on an image and grab it for free, especially if they can upscale it to avoid pixelation. By making sure your client galleries disable right-clicking, you can deter these unauthorized downloads when you share a link to access the images. This is where things get a bit technical.

Those who are more tech-savvy might dig into a webpage's source code or try image extractors. They'll open the webpage's source code and hunt for the image's name, which is as easy as doing a quick text search and typing in the file name. Then, they'll open the URL with the image and check if it still has a watermark. They might even try downloading and upscaling it to avoid paying you. But don't get overwhelmed; there are plenty of ways to keep your work safe from “unwanted downloads.”

Reach out to your photo sharing (aff) service and inquire about their options for password-protected galleries or a way to share encrypted links. These features ensure that only your clients can access the images you've placed in a private gallery.

Having password protection isn't just for high-end art or custom business shoots; it's also crucial for portrait photography. Take boudoir photography, for example—it's a thriving market. With a secure photo-sharing system, you can highlight how seriously you take the privacy of your clients' most intimate images. Demonstrating these extra precautions can help you stand out from your competition and potentially attract more business.

Don't forget about family photos or holiday sessions too! It's essential to keep these images from falling into the wrong hands. Parents want to ensure that their children's pictures remain safe from unauthorized downloads, bullying, or being turned into memes. By assuring them that you'll keep everything under their control, you'll earn their trust. Besides security, another critical aspect of photo sharing (aff) is user-friendliness.

Once you're certain that your photo-sharing service offers the right privacy levels for your business, it's crucial to ensure you can quickly and effortlessly retrieve and showcase your work.

First off, having an app that works on connected devices is key. Imagine being able to whip out your app when you're at a client's location to display your shots. It's an essential backup in case your camera or computer takes an unexpected tumble or breaks down.

Next, having a portal that lets you access your work easily is a must. While two-factor authentication and password protection are important, what if the system locks you out and recovery becomes a real headache? It's a good idea to chat with the support team and find out what options you have for accessing your work when you're overseas or in different locations. This is especially vital for travel, landscape, and workshop photographers, not to mention if you're doing on-the-spot editing at a client's place. Being able to access your work from unfamiliar locations can make the difference between a productive visit and a total flop.

Lastly, consider the speed at which you can access your galleries. If the photo-sharing solution is overly complicated or takes too long to load, it's a recipe for unhappy clients. Before committing to a system, take the time to test it out thoroughly. Experiment with different types of connections, including cell phone data plans. You never know when you'll find yourself in a spot without Wi-Fi, and you'll have to rely on your phone's network to save the day.

Remember, photo sharing goes beyond simply finding an easy way to deliver pictures to your clients; it's also about safeguarding your business. Ensure you have the highest levels of privacy and security available, and let your clients know that you go the extra mile to protect their images. This not only helps prevent image theft and unauthorized printing but also turns potential leads into paying clients. It's all about building trust and ensuring your photography business thrives.

If you’re ready to protect your photos and make money, click here to try SmugMug, a leader in photo sharing, storage, and selling prints today.