SmugMug

[TeeGee]

I am considering setting up a web site with Smugmug. I have visited some of the professional photographer's sites and they seem difficult to use for ordering prints, i.e. ordering different sizes of prints and finding price lists. Does anyone out there have experience opening a pro account with SmugMug?

[Stormdancing]

I have a Smugmug Pro account. Setting up my site was really easy. I'm still in the process of getting it just how I want and still need to add pricing, about me, and several other pages I want on my site.

The forum is a great place to get some one on one help with customization. People who know how to code CSS to the hilt will help you get your site looking like you want.
I have my home page on my own server Heartsfire Photography and if you click on the links in the Nav Bar (which forum coders helped me to set up and perfect for both IE and Firefox) it will take you to my Smugmug galleries.

You can use my coupon code wbWqo7uNMODlA and get $5 off your subscription too.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I love my site on Smugmug!

[Mr. Pickles]

SmugMug is a great place. It is very easy to use and can be customized pretty easy if you know a bit about web-like programming. They will help you too.

If you don't want to pay for a Pro site at SmugMug, check out our Gallery (link along the top bar) and you will see a MUG contest. Enter it and if yours is the best image, you'll win a one-year Pro Account at SmugMug.

And if you don't want to wait, or don't want to use Dana's code for $5 off, you can use mine (put it in the "referred by" box on the signup form) and get $5 off: L5xvhn5DEtHqs

[tsk1979]

If you are taking a pro or a power user account, smugmug is great offering customization and great print sales etc.,
If you are just a hobbyist, and don't sell prints, there are cheaper options elsewhere.

[erikmatey]

My ENTIRE site is hosted through smugmug.

I had someone customize it for me, but the upkeep and changing things around is very easy.

Your Timeless Photos-Photography by Erik Matey: Weddings and Portraits based in Bucks County PA - powered by SmugMug

I don't find order difficult. I do find it a little slow though, but thats when I'm ordering 500 prints at a time. Otherwise no big complaints so far.

[Girevik]

Just don't expect your son to help you with setting up all of that web stuff. I'm sure he's got better things to do with his time.

[Ham1]

Originally Posted by TeeGee

I am considering setting up a web site with Smugmug. I have visited some of the professional photographer's sites and they seem difficult to use for ordering prints, i.e. ordering different sizes of prints and finding price lists. Does anyone out there have experience opening a pro account with SmugMug?

Hi TeeGee,

Hope you come try us out! We will definitely help you every step of the way. If you email help@smugmug.com, you will typically get an answer from a real person within an hour 24/7/365!

You can customize your site completely if you have our Power/Pro versions but you can also choose from one of the many standard themes we offer by the click of a button with any account level. Check out this page: SmugMug Themes' photos - powered by SmugMug

As for prints/gifts pricing, check out this page for SmugMug standard prices: Prints and Photo gifts - powered by SmugMug

Our Pro account allows you to set your own print prices and make 85% commission off the markup!

Hope that helps-
Markham

[Scott_Quier]

I've had a smugmug account for more than a year and converted it to pro level in, I believe, Nov 2006. I can vouch for everything Ham1 said about service. They are there for you should you have any questions. You can get all sorts of help (all of it good) from the customization forum.

I've not done a super lot of customization to my site, but I know it can be done. I just don't feel the need to spend the time when my time could be better spent doing other things photography. The site, as it stands now, has actually snagged me more than just a few gigs - so I'm very happy with it.

Finally, you can't beat the guarantee they offer on their prints. You either like it/them or they are re-done or you get your $$ back. No muss, no fuss, just send an e-mail to help@smugmug.com

Disclaimer: My only association with SmugMug is as a satisfied customer.

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

If you are taking a pro or a power user account, smugmug is great offering customization and great print sales etc.,
If you are just a hobbyist, and don't sell prints, there are cheaper options elsewhere.

There are cheaper options for just hosting, but after the initial $30, I have paid all subsequent fees with referral dollars. That works out to < $10/year for unlimited storage and hosting.

[rex]

I have used smugmug for a few years now and I love everything about them. If you sign up for smugmug make sure to check out Digital Grin Photography Forum - Powered by vBulletin as well. Lots of customizing threads there.

[Worm324]

Great thread!! I'm also very interested in Smugmug. I do have my own hosting abilities, but lack the knowledge for shopping cart data bases and such.

I think I have enough decent photos to start trying to sell some of them if possible. If I can make money with my hobby, why not??

A few questions I had if you wouldn't mind :

How do people find your smugmug account?

Does Smugmug have any rights to your pics? What rights should you look out for?

How large resolution wise, do your pics need to be, or should be?

How many pics should you put up?

Whats the deal with the private galleries? (Jfrancho, I saw on yours you have locked galleries and your pics don't seem to be for sale??)

What pricing is a good stating point for Pictures?? Most of my decent shots are Landscape and Architecture styles.

Can the person get frames as well and do we get commission on that too??


Sorry for all the questions, but I can't seem to find these answers easily on Smugmug any ware.

Thanks in advance for any info/ experience you can share I'm just looking to make a little extra money doing what I love, and this seems like a good alternative/ addition to stock photography which I have not ruled out yet


Jay

[Rense]

Jay, some answers indicated with ->

Originally Posted by Worm324

Great thread!! I'm also very interested in Smugmug.
->plug: you can use my smugmug coupon (p6GQ3rW3ZGVKE) to get a discount

I do have my own hosting abilities, but lack the knowledge for shopping cart data bases and such.
-> you need the pro version then


How do people find your smugmug account?
-> join communities on smugmug.
-> also your new posts are listed on a a page that displays the recent post.

Does Smugmug have any rights to your pics?
-> no, smugmug has no rights (other than allowed to display your images, but thats the whole point of putting them there)

What rights should you look out for?
-> be as precise as can, digest images with ITPC data regarding your copyright info.

How large resolution wise, do your pics need to be, or should be?
-> as large as you want, smugmug automatic resizes in a few standard sizes.
-> you can allow or disallow to view the large sizes.

How many pics should you put up?
-> your decision. You can set up different albums/subalbums

Whats the deal with the private galleries? (Jfrancho, I saw on yours you have locked galleries and your pics don't seem to be for sale??)
->they are for sharing to only a specific group of people, say the bride and groom on a wedding shoot.

What pricing is a good stating point for Pictures?? Most of my decent shots are Landscape and Architecture styles.
->decide for yourself, you can apply different pricingschemes per album

Can the person get frames as well and do we get commission on that too??
->nope, nope

[Worm324]

Thanks Rense!! Greatly appreciate your help and input!! I'm going to start another thread as to not Hijack this great thread

Jay

[Stormdancing]

Originally Posted by Worm324

Great thread!! I'm also very interested in Smugmug. I do have my own hosting abilities, but lack the knowledge for shopping cart data bases and such.

I think I have enough decent photos to start trying to sell some of them if possible. If I can make money with my hobby, why not??

A few questions I had if you wouldn't mind :

How do people find your smugmug account?

Smugmug does not promote your site for you. If your photos are Keyworded, they will be included if someone searches SM by keywords. They do provide advice on how to improve your Google ranking. You promote your own site.

Originally Posted by Worm324

Does Smugmug have any rights to your pics? What rights should you look out for?

SM does not own any rights to your photos. In the Pro account make sure you use the Watermark feature and turn on Right Click Protection.

Originally Posted by Worm324

How large resolution wise, do your pics need to be, or should be?

Print Resolution

Originally Posted by Worm324

How many pics should you put up?

As many as you want. Unlimited storage, so go for it.

Originally Posted by Worm324

Whats the deal with the private galleries? (Jfrancho, I saw on yours you have locked galleries and your pics don't seem to be for sale??)

You can make galleries private (only those who have the direct URL can find them) or passworded. Sometimes people do not want their family photos or kids photos out there on the wide open web. Only people with the password can access these galleries, keeping them private.

Originally Posted by Worm324

What pricing is a good stating point for Pictures?? Most of my decent shots are Landscape and Architecture styles.

The age old question. Price to cover your expenses.

Originally Posted by Worm324

Can the person get frames as well and do we get commission on that too??

No they do not offer frames or framing services. If you want to sell framed work you will have to fill those orders on your own.

Originally Posted by Worm324

Sorry for all the questions, but I can't seem to find these answers easily on Smugmug any ware.

Thanks in advance for any info/ experience you can share I'm just looking to make a little extra money doing what I love, and this seems like a good alternative/ addition to stock photography which I have not ruled out yet


Jay

[TeeGee]

I have used two different SmugMug coupon codes provided to be in this thread and both times have received a message that the code is not found. Any suggestions?