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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures?

Storm Crow
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Apr 27, 2006, 12:59 PM

Post #1 of 19 (1799 views)
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How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures?	Can't Post

I'm getting ready to take the photo end of my business to the next level and want to allow customers to view their proofs online and to order online which should in the end save me time and money. Who are you using or is there any software out there that makes this an easy process? TIA
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Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
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Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 27, 2006, 4:29 PM

Post #2 of 19 (1791 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I recently purchased the script from http://www.simplesell.net/. It was $250 and is a basic script that the delveloper puts up on your site. I have chosen to only accept paypal at this time, but that still allows anyone to use any credit card they with without having a paypal account.

This Saturday will be my first wedding using this shopping cart system, so I'll get a better feel for it later on in May.

One of the most praised systems is PicPick. (I think that's the proper spelling.) Many pros sing the praises of the system and the customer service.

I have a photoreflect account, but %17 just ain't worth it.

RustyB
Veteran

Apr 28, 2006, 1:40 AM

Post #3 of 19 (1761 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Did you find anything helpful in the other short thread? http://www.videouniversity.com/...;;page=unread#unread

I haven't tried any of them myself, but am looking to open an account with one. (Not that I have anything but crap to sell. Laugh

I'm sure there's a big market for poorly exposed pictures of my terrible cats. Laugh

)

That being said, I'm looking to go with one with no startup costs, just a flat/per sale fee, even if it's higher. I don't have no money, but I do got 15 more longnecks of Bud and a pound of pinto beans soaking in the fridge. 14 more longnecks. Sly

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sunrisedigital
User

Apr 28, 2006, 7:12 AM

Post #4 of 19 (1755 views)
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Re: [RustyB] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Storm and Rusty,
I decided to jump into this a few days ago and decided to try www.photoreflect.com - no up front money, they take a % of the sale then get you your money. It is fairly straightforward, however in the 3 days I have been using it, I have had a few small issues.
1) you have to set up your prices, etc. and I went through that process, saved it and viewed it. Then the next day I was showing someone at school the site and it said you cant view the pics because the photographer had not set up any packages yet. So I redid them quickly and it has stayed there since.
2) They have software to upload the pics( I am on a Mac) and it has been a little quirky, with an old style menu system like in OS9 where you ahve to work your way down the folder chain one at a time to find the file you want to upload. I have decided to put the file as close to the desktop as I can and that has been faster.
Other than those two issues, it looks like it does a nice job of organizing your pics, putting a watermark on them, etc. I have not seen one of them yet, so I cant tell you about the quality of paper, etc. Maybe I will order one of my own pics.....
Good Luck,
Eric
check out mine if you'd like
sunrisedigtial.photoreflect.com
(you can set your own URL which is nice)

(This post was edited by sunrisedigital on Apr 29, 2006, 9:13 PM)

Scott Brooks
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Apr 28, 2006, 3:50 PM

Post #5 of 19 (1744 views)
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Re: [sunrisedigital] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I have not seen one of them yet, so I cant tell you about the quality of paper, etc. Maybe I will order one of my own pics.....
Good Luck,
Eric
check out mine if you'd like
sunrisedigtial.photoreflect.com
(you can set your own URL which is nice)

This also assumes that you have PhotoReflect set up to print out the orders at one of their labs. This part is optional.

I will have all mine printed at mpix and depending on the size of the order ... have it drop shipped to the client.

I found PhotoReflect to be very clunky with my PC. When I tried doing anything with it from my Mac ... I just flat out gave up. A lot of people still use it, though.

Jeko
Enthusiast

Apr 28, 2006, 4:46 PM

Post #6 of 19 (1740 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Pictage.com has been in place for me over the last 2 months. It seems promising, though I will wait for better results before offering a true review.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

JohnnyEaker
User

Apr 30, 2006, 8:55 PM

Post #7 of 19 (1684 views)
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Re: [Jeko] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

We just signed up with pictage as well. Check them out.

Johnny Eaker
Creative Studios

george alford
Novice

May 4, 2006, 1:50 AM

Post #8 of 19 (1624 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I use Digilabs and have looked seriously at ImageQuix. Digilabs support is great, quick turnaround and inexpensive. Check them out on the web.
George Alford, ProVideo & Photography

Corbs
User

May 4, 2006, 2:37 PM

Post #9 of 19 (1607 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Storm, if you want to handle the print processyourself and are looking only to automate the ordering process BreezeBrowser may be an option. It connects to your PayPal.

The program offers other options as well and may eb worth checking out.

Scott Brooks
Veteran

May 4, 2006, 4:21 PM

Post #10 of 19 (1599 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ah, yes ... Pictage ... Otherwise referred to by many photgraphers as the Hotel Califorina. You can check in but you can never leave. Wink

sunrisedigital
User

May 9, 2006, 3:12 PM

Post #11 of 19 (1546 views)
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Re: [Sparky] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

OK,
I have to give a quick update on my experience with Photoreflect(using a MacBook Pro)

There are times that I export from Aperture as Jpeg and the pics go into the Photo Publisher software with no problem. Then, I use the same exact workflow, with the same camera settings and the pictures are not able to upload. I end up having to import to iMovie, then export as jpegs from there and it works for some strange reason.

Also, I was not clear on the choosing a lab for printing issue and I did not have one set up. I found it really hard to find the info and how to get this to work. Also, the labs they connect to seemed to be quite expensive, forcing me to make my prints too expensive for most people.

Thought you might like to know.....
Thanks,
Eric

Jeko
Enthusiast

May 10, 2006, 10:07 PM

Post #12 of 19 (1508 views)
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Re: [Sparky] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Haven't been with Pictage very long, but is there a reason to leave?

I didn't enjoy shuffling images from lab to client (while dodging kids), and they are very useful for more distant clients to clearly indicate which images they'd like to add/remove to their albums.

It also seems that one shoot/client a month will cover the $50 fee to be a member.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

RustyB
Veteran

Jun 29, 2006, 10:29 PM

Post #13 of 19 (1201 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

FYI, I ended up getting a Pro account at SmugMug, at $150 a year. I like that it was very simple to use, simple to order prints, simple to set prices, customers can order other photo gifts in addition to prints, and I can put the gallery on my own domain/.com if I want (haven't tried that yet). They have cheaper non-pro accounts if you don't want to make a profit from selling your photos.

There are no limits on uploads or bandwidth, but there is a file size limit of 8mb per picture. Not sure if that's an issue or not...8mb seems low if you wanted to upload a really big poster sized picture. The whole thing is pretty idiot-proof. You can even choose from pre-made color scheme templates for use in your gallery webpages. You can also right-click proof your pics, automatically watermark them, etc...very simple.

I uploaded a sample gallery of some pics I scanned from the early 90's, if you want to see how the gallery works.

Gallery is called "BumWine"
Password is "sheep"

https://russellbryce.smugmug.com/

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Jenn M
Veteran

Jun 29, 2006, 11:13 PM

Post #14 of 19 (1198 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

What about...
http://www.labprints.com/...ine_storefronts.html

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jun 29, 2006, 11:49 PM

Post #15 of 19 (1193 views)
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Re: [RustyB] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Couldn't resist Laugh

. G Rusty, most people hide their blackmail pictures not put them online for the victims to buy Laugh

RustyB
Veteran

Jun 29, 2006, 11:52 PM

Post #16 of 19 (1192 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Couldn't resist Laugh

. G Rusty, most people hide their blackmail pictures not put them online for the victims to buy Laugh

I have no shame. Laugh

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jun 29, 2006, 11:56 PM

Post #17 of 19 (1191 views)
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Re: [RustyB] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You'll be sorry when you're rich and famous Laugh

scotthayes
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Jul 2, 2006, 5:01 PM

Post #18 of 19 (1154 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Pictology is also out there, as is printroom.com. I wish MPIX
had a storefront because their print quality is far and away the best.

If your gear is paid for, KEEP IT!

Storm Crow
Veteran

Jul 3, 2006, 12:17 AM

Post #19 of 19 (1146 views)
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Re: [scotthayes] How to set up online proofs and ordering of pictures? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Pictology is also out there, as is printroom.com. I wish MPIX
had a storefront because their print quality is far and away the best.

Good to know because that is who I use for prints. Wink

_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________