How to Create a Client Gallery for Your Photography Clients

A client gallery is a private, online space where your clients can view, download, and share their photos — professionally presented and protected with a password or PIN. Creating a proper client gallery takes about 20–30 minutes per shoot with the right tools. Here's the complete process.

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What Is a Client Gallery?

A client gallery is a private online gallery where photographers deliver final edited photos to their clients. Unlike sending a Google Drive folder or a ZIP file, a client gallery:

• Presents photos in a curated, visual format
• Protects files with password or PIN access
• Allows clients to download files without needing a Google account
• Can be organized into named sections (Ceremony, Reception, etc.)
• Works beautifully on any device, especially mobile phones

For more on what a client gallery is and why it matters, see what is a client gallery.

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Step-by-Step: How to Create a Client Gallery

Step 1: Choose a client gallery platform

You need a tool specifically built for photo delivery. Popular options:

Platform	Best for	Price
Lumeny	Solo/part-time photographers wanting gallery + portfolio + briefings	€9–€19/mo
Picdrop	DACH region photographers who want simplicity and a free tier	Free tier; ~€9+/mo
Pixieset	Photographers who also want print sales	Free tier; ~$8+/mo
ShootProof	US studios with print lab integrations	~$10+/mo

For this guide, we'll use Lumeny as the example — but the principles apply to any platform.

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Step 2: Create a new gallery / shoot project

Log into your gallery platform and create a new gallery:

1. Click "New Gallery" or "New Shoot"
2. Name it clearly — use the client's name and shoot date (e.g., "Anna & Tom — Wedding — June 2026")
3. Set the expected delivery date (optional, but helps with tracking)
4. Assign it to the client if your platform supports client accounts

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Step 3: Organize your photos into sections

This is the step most photographers skip — and it makes the biggest difference in the client experience.

Divide your photos into meaningful sections before uploading:

For a wedding:

• Getting Ready
• First Look
• Ceremony
• Portraits
• Reception
• Details

For a portrait session:

• Outdoor
• Studio
• Lifestyle
• Closeups

For a family session:

• Individual Portraits
• Family Together
• Candid / Playful

Each section becomes a chapter of the story. Clients navigate through their experience, not through a scrolling wall of images.

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Step 4: Upload photos by section

Upload your edited photos section by section. Tips:

• Upload your best cover image first — it's what clients see when they open the gallery
• Keep sections focused: 30–80 photos per section is a good range for most shoots
• Total gallery size: aim to deliver your best work, not every single shot

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Step 5: Set gallery privacy and access

Configure who can access the gallery:

• Download PIN or password — generate a unique PIN or password per gallery, sent to your client separately from the gallery link
• Expiration — set a date after which the gallery requires special access (optional)
• Download permissions — which photos can clients download? All of them, or specific sections?

Sending the link and the PIN separately (e.g., link by email, PIN by SMS) adds a layer of security.

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Step 6: Preview on mobile before sending

Always test your gallery on a phone before sending it to your client. This is how they'll view it. Check:

• Does it load quickly?
• Can they swipe through photos intuitively?
• Is the download button visible?
• Do the section names make sense?

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Step 7: Deliver the gallery with a personal message

Don't just send a link. Write a personal delivery message (see how to deliver photos to clients professionally for a full template).

Your message should include:

• A personal note about the experience
• The gallery link
• The access PIN (separately from the link if possible)
• How to download (brief instructions)
• A gentle review request

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Gallery Settings Checklist

Before sending any gallery, confirm:

• Gallery named with client name + date
• Photos organized into named sections
• Cover image is your strongest shot
• Download PIN or password configured
• Gallery tested on mobile
• Delivery message drafted and personalized

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What Makes a Great Client Gallery?

After 10 years of creating client galleries and reading client feedback, the things that matter most are:

1. Emotional first impression — the cover photo should make them catch their breath
2. Navigable structure — sections that guide them through their experience
3. Mobile experience — most clients open galleries on their phone, in bed, the night you deliver
4. Easy downloads — one click, full resolution, no friction

Everything else is secondary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to create a client gallery? With the right platform, 20–30 minutes per shoot: 5 minutes to set up the gallery structure, 15–20 minutes upload time, 5 minutes to configure and preview.

How many photos should a client gallery contain? Depends on the shoot type. Portrait sessions: 50–100. Weddings: 400–700. Family sessions: 80–150. Focus on delivering your selects, not every shot.

How do I share a client gallery securely? Use a dedicated platform with download PIN protection. Send the gallery link by email and the PIN by a different channel (SMS works well). Avoid public links without any access control.

Should I watermark photos in client galleries? No. Client delivery galleries should never show watermarks — clients have paid for the photos. Watermarks are appropriate for proof galleries before a client has paid in full.

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Written by Christian Bauer, founder of Lumeny and photographer with 10+ years of experience creating client galleries for weddings, portraits, and family sessions.