This year we have been searching for a new way to provide our clients with proof galleries that are easy to view, have shopping carts and share tabs, music and slide shows. Last year we began to use Smugmug and for the most part, everyone was happy with these galleries and the layouts and options. However, Smugmug only offered very limited options for my clients, did not have music, and prints ordered could only go through their lab. We tried Pictage for about 2 weeks and our clients did not find it user friendly, as we also had many problems with their services and software. Tuesday I was at a NILMDTS (I am an affiliate photographer) meeting and a spokesperson for Collages.net visited and gave us information about their site and products, etc. Their albums and prints are quality and I really favored the Brilliance Album. After careful consideration and viewing the demonstration website galleries, we decided to dish out the extra money and subscribe.
So here is what is NEW!
Each gallery will be assigned a User Name and Password for our clients. This will take them directly to their gallery site.
All of the photos can be in one gallery! Yeah!! This means that all of the engagement photos, wedding photos and trash the dress photos can all be in the same place, they are just in separate folders!
Music!!! This is exciting! Not only do we have music, but YOU can choose what kind you want to hear as you look at your photos.
Webshow - this is like a slide show!
Facebook, Twitter, Blog, you name it, they have links you can access to link your photos to. How cool is that?
There are many, many more features, but most importantly, the best feature is that now a bride and groom, or anyone who visits, can create a new folder, lets say "CD picks" for example, and simply click the + button and add that photo to the folder. I will automatically see all of the photos chosen from the folder. The same would be for albums, etc. This is going to save my clients a lot of time and effort!
These wedding galleries can be shared with friends and family across the world, and prints and products can be ordered and shipped directly to them - without having to go through the bride and groom (this gets overwhelming for them - having family contact them for one or two photos.)
We look forward to starting out 2009 with Collages.net for our online proofing!
For the Photographers
I think that the best feature for the photographer is having the ability to manually fulfill the product orders. For example, the client would pay Collages.net - Collages.net takes the 15% commission fee, then direct deposits the monies into my account and emails me the order. I can then upload to the lab I usually use. I love this freedom!!
I would highly recommend Collages.net for wedding or event photographers. If you don't want to spend the extra $70 a month for your convenience, at least do it for your customers - it's worth it! If you decide to go with their services, you can always say I referred you, stevencanary@angelcanary.com, since, well you read this blog. =)
Angel Canary
Angel Studios Photography LLC
Indianapolis Wedding Photographer
Greenifeld Indiana Wedding Photographer
