Smugmug: First off, trust all hedgehogs, their families and loved ones are safe and well during this unprecedented quagmire we're experiencing 🙏🏿🙏. I've been entertaining giving...

Robby418 Loc: Brooklyn, New York

First off, trust all hedgehogs, their families and loved ones are safe and well during this unprecedented quagmire we're experiencing 🙏🏿🙏.

I've been entertaining giving Smugmug a try. Up to date research leaves me with a few questions. Are your pics protected from unauthorized downloads and does smugmug have a guideline for sales pricing so as not to undercut other photographers or is it at the photographer's discretion? Please weigh in if your experience will benefit, thank you.
Last but not least, continued good shooting hedgehogs 😎.

PierreD

I don't have a full answer to your question and am an amateur, not professional photographer, and so do not sell anything. I've been using Smugmug for a couple of years to create and share albums, and generally like it quite a bit.

According to Smugmug's posted policy, photographers always retain the copyright to their photographs. I suppose this means that technically it is illegal for anyone to download and use pictures for commercial profit. On the other hand, I always thought that if anyone finds some of my pictures to be good enough for personal (non-commercial, non-profit) usage, I say go for it and all the better!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Robby418 wrote:

... Are your pics protected from unauthorized downloads...

Protection from downloads is not a thing. Anything that can be displayed on your screen can be captured. The only protection is that you can display only small, lo-res versions of your images.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Robby418 wrote:

First off, trust all hedgehogs, their families and... (show quote)

I use SmugMug.
(see the link to my website below)
You can set the preferences so people viewing can't download full rez images. It will still allow them to right-click and save but nothing can stop them from hitting the "print screen" option and copying on any website. I downsize the images I don't want people to have so they aren’t as usable, at least in any resolution that will give them a good print.
I don't sell directly through my website so not sure if they have pricing guidelines, but you can ask.
Their support is amazing.
Cheers!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

DirtFarmer wrote:

Protection from downloads is not a thing. Anything that can be displayed on your screen can be captured. The only protection is that you can display only small, lo-res versions of your images.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Robby418 wrote:

Are your pics protected from unauthorized downloads

Yes, you have this as an 'option' as well as being able to control viewing or download size. As already mentioned any one can do a screen capture of course.

Additionally you can also place images, of any size into a 'private' gallery of which can only be accessed by a 'link' that you give them. Size limits with regard to viewing and downloading can also be set in this. This is ideal if you wish to post full res images such as 7400 px wide 6 meg files for someone to download and use.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Robby418 wrote:

First off, trust all hedgehogs, their families and... (show quote)

Yes... Your photos can be protected from unauthorized downloads. It is an option that you choose. The same holds for your galleries, they can be public or private. If private, you can share with others by invitation.

Pricing is totally up to you. If you want $5 or $5000 each, it's your call. There is no guidance comparing you with other sellers.

BTW, the Smugmug support members (heroes) are outstanding and can provide all the info and help you may need. Enjoy!

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

Gitchigumi wrote:

Yes... Your photos can be protected from unauthorized downloads. It is an option that you choose. The same holds for your galleries, they can be public or private. If private, you can share with others by invitation.

Pricing is totally up to you. If you want $5 or $5000 each, it's your call. There is no guidance comparing you with other sellers.

BTW, the Smugmug support members (heroes) are outstanding and can provide all the info and help you may need. Enjoy!

Perfect answer!

Back when I first choose Smugmug you had to upgrade from the then free service to the next higher level to be able to prevent the dreaded “right click download” but that option was unique in my “research” at that time. That option still drives my greater “family” nuts because they can’t post a family picture to Facebook without asking. (He said with an evil cackle.)

Sometime a few years back the rebuilt the entire back room of the site which cause some mysterious behavior of my setup. I reported it to the “heroes”. They got back to me almost instantly and repaired things within an hour or so. Take that Microsoft!

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

Robby418 wrote:

First off, trust all hedgehogs, their families and... (show quote)

I use Smugmug and I'm happy with it. It's affordable and my photos are protected from downloading. It does have a bit of a learning curve but overall's user friendly.
You can see my site here:
https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Robby418 wrote:

First off, trust all hedgehogs, their families and... (show quote)

I use Smugmug and am satisfied with it. It's not as customizable as some other site builders, but it's good enough for most people. You can set privacy settings as to who can view your photos. The best protection against downloads is not to have full rez images on your page. That brings us to selling. I don't sell on Smug because I think you go through their services and therefore have to have hi rez files available. I'm not totally sure on this aspect. You could just include a line saying that anybody that wants to purchase a print could contact you directly.
https://mikelowephotography.smugmug.com/

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Using Smugmug for years and never had a problem. Pricing is under my control. I sell framed pictures locally and really don’t care if someone copies a photo.

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

Who provides the product photos, wall art etc.

Fayle wrote:

I use Smugmug and I'm happy with it. It's affordable and my photos are protected from downloading. It does have a bit of a learning curve but overall's user friendly.
You can see my site here:
https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

Who prints and delivers the photos?

mflowe wrote:

I use Smugmug and am satisfied with it. It's not a... (show quote)

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Smugmug does. They keep a percentage. You can also set up for clients to download a digital file of your image if they want to use their own print service.
https://mikelowephotography.smugmug.com/

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

Thanks for the quick reply.
BTW, Great smugmug website.

mflowe wrote:

Smugmug does. They keep a percentage. You can also set up for clients to download a digital file of your image if they want to use their own print service.
https://mikelowephotography.smugmug.com/