Download Control WithoutBeing Controlling
Give clients full-resolution files for purchased work, web-sized proofs for selection, or anything in between. Flexible download control that adapts to your business model without creating friction.
The Download Control Dilemma
All or Nothing Platforms
Most platforms either lock everything behind paywalls (frustrating for clients who already paid you) or give unlimited full-resolution access (problematic for proofing workflows). Neither fits how photographers actually work. You need nuance, not extremes.
The Proofing Problem
You want clients to select favorites before delivery, but you can't give them full resolution yet. So you export a separate low-res proof set, upload it separately, manage two galleries. Duplicate workflow for a common scenario.
No Download Tracking
Client says "I never received the photos." Did they download? When? Which ones? You have no visibility into what clients accessed. Flying blind on delivery confirmation.
Rigid Business Models
Your business model evolves: sometimes you deliver full-res immediately, sometimes after payment, sometimes after selection. Platforms with fixed download models can't adapt. You bend to the software instead of software bending to you.
The Control Paradox
You want clients to have their photos in full resolution—you already charged them for your work. But you also need control over how and when they're accessed to support your specific workflow. The right platform should support both, not force you to choose.
Flexible Control That Adapts to You
SendPhoto gives you granular download control. Set maximum image dimensions per gallery. Allow individual image, collection, or full gallery downloads. Track what clients accessed. Change settings anytime.
Per-Gallery Limits
Set different resolution limits for each gallery. Full res for delivered work, web size for proofs.
Flexible Downloads
Clients download individual images, collections, or full gallery as ZIP files. Their choice.
Download Tracking
See exactly what clients downloaded and when. Delivery confirmation with audit trail.
Per-Gallery Resolution Limits
Set maximum image dimensions for each gallery individually. Proofing gallery? Limit to 2000px for web use. Purchased delivery? Full resolution with no limits. Real estate MLS listing? Exactly 2048px as required. Different shoots, different needs, different settings.
Individual, Collection, or Full Gallery Downloads
Clients choose how they download. Need one specific image? Download it individually. Want the ceremony collection? Download just that. Want everything? Full gallery ZIP. One simple download button, smart options based on context.
Download Tracking to See What Clients Accessed
Dashboard shows you exactly what was downloaded, when, and by which IP address. Client says they never got the photos? Check the logs. See they downloaded the full gallery last Tuesday. Proof of delivery at your fingertips.
Original Quality Preservation
All downloads preserve EXIF data and color profiles. Your carefully embedded metadata travels with the files. Color management for print? It works. Copyright info in EXIF? It's there. Professional delivery preserves professional standards.
Bulk Download as ZIP Files
ZIP files are generated on-demand to save storage costs. Client requests a collection download? ZIP is created in real-time with properly named files. No pre-generating ZIPs, no wasted storage, just-in-time delivery.
Change Settings Anytime
Upload a proofing gallery at 2000px. Client selects favorites and pays. Update the same gallery to allow full-resolution downloads. Same link, updated permissions. Your workflow evolves, your gallery settings evolve with it.
See It In Action
Real Estate Photography Workflow
How Emma uses flexible download control for different client needs
The Shoot
Emma photographs a luxury home for a real estate agent. She shoots 87 images—exterior, interior rooms, details, twilight shots. The agent needs MLS-compliant images for immediate listing, but the homeowner wants full-resolution keepsakes after the sale.
Initial Gallery Setup
Emma uploads all 87 images to SendPhoto and sets the gallery resolution limit to 2000px long edge—perfect for MLS requirements and web use. She shares the link with the agent. The agent downloads 15 selected images for the listing within an hour.
Tracking Confirmation
Emma checks her SendPhoto dashboard. She sees the agent downloaded 15 specific images at 2:47 PM. No "did you get the photos?" texts needed. She has proof of delivery with timestamp and download details.
Property Sells, Settings Change
Three months later, the property sells. The homeowner asks Emma for high-resolution copies for framing. Emma updates the same gallery settings to allow full-resolution downloads. Same link, now delivering full-res files instead of web-sized.
Perfect Outcome
The agent got MLS-compliant images for listing. The homeowner got full-resolution memories for keepsakes. Emma used one gallery, one upload, two different resolution settings over time. Flexible control that adapted to changing needs.
What Emma Achieved:
- Single upload served two different use cases over time
- MLS compliance for immediate listing needs
- Full-resolution delivery for homeowner keepsakes
- Download tracking provided proof of delivery
- Zero duplicate uploads or separate galleries
How Download Control Works
Powerful control, invisible complexity
Download limits are enforced server-side when files are generated. Set a 2000px limit? The server automatically resizes images during download while preserving aspect ratio and quality. Clients see one download button—the complexity is hidden. Simple interface, powerful control.
All downloads preserve embedded EXIF metadata and ICC color profiles. Your copyright information, camera settings, GPS data, and color management travel with the files. Even when resized, professional metadata remains intact. Technical standards maintained automatically.
ZIP files are created in real-time when clients request collection or full gallery downloads. We don't pre-generate and store massive ZIP files eating your storage quota. Request initiated, ZIP created on-the-fly, delivered to client. Storage-efficient delivery at scale.
Every download is logged with timestamp, IP address, and file details. Your dashboard shows complete download history per gallery. Know exactly when clients accessed their photos, what they downloaded, and from where. Full audit trail for delivery confirmation.
Change download settings anytime and they take effect immediately. Upload at limited resolution for proofing, then update to full-res after client payment. Same gallery URL, updated permissions. Your workflow evolves, your galleries adapt.
Control That Serves Your Business
Stop choosing between client convenience and business control. Get granular download management that adapts to your workflow, your business model, and your clients' needs.