SmugMug: Unlimited Secure Image Storage and Easy Sharing [2024]
SUMMARY:
SmugMug is a service that I have used for more than 10 years. My initial use was as a Wedding and Portrait Photographer. I wanted to provide a secure online storage solution for clients, allow them to review galleries and choose/order prints as well as share with family and friends. As time went on I began to also use SmugMug for all my personal fine art and landscape image storage as well as personal family images that I could share so easily with family members. The fact that image storage is unlimited and has been rock solid for all these years, has given me no reason to go elsewhere. I have many Terabytes in the system already. I have also used it in the past as a digital download purchase tool for triathlon athletes. It was nice to watch the "you made a sale" emails roll in with zero additional work or service on my side. These days I use it mostly as legacy back up image storage and a sharing tool as I have refocused on other ventures that are not weddings and portraits. On the print side of things, they integrate with several excellent vendors including pro labs such as White House Custom Color (WHCC).
RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Save 20% In Your First Year
Click on any of my links in this review or use the coupon code oZi34mbGMsu26 to save 20% on your first year with SmugMug. Win. Win.
No Risk 14 Day Trial
Is SmugMug right for you? They have made it very easy to discover that answer with a 14 day no credit card risk free trial. Setup folders to create your directories and organization and then add galleries of images. Get started [here]
SmugMug Is More That Simple Storage
While you can use SmugMug in its most basic form of being a reliable online storage for your images (and videos), there is so much more that they offer within the ecosystem for working professionals and their expanding sister companies. Flickr and TWIP (This Week In Photo) both fly their flags under the banner of SmugMug, Inc
Unlimited Photo Storage
Local storage can be very unreliable as HDDs deteriorate in storage drawers or connectivity becomes obsolete. Online Storage as your main method or to compliment your offline storage is highly recommended. This protects you against calamity. Images are the immortalization of the past. Memories are a priceless commodity. SmugMug offers unlimited image storage, automatic uploads, privacy and security settings. The ability to make images, galleries or folders invisible to search engines, set password access to control who and what they get to see, multiple failed attempt notifications, and even watermarking and right-click protection for upgraded accounts.
Sharing Galleries and Images Made Easy
Photography based websites are meant to look great; Smugmug has a selection of good looking templates. You have the power to set what size quality a user can download from small up to original size. To enhance the experience, you can also use custom domains to ensure your brand is front and center. Users can download a single image or an entire gallery as a packaged ZIP, select prints and products to purchase if enabled.
Selling Prints, Products and Digital Downloads for Professionals
Upgrade to a Portfolio or Pro account and open up integrated e-commerce options including, full service customer order fulfillment, set profit margins and choose specific products to offer, custom watermarks, payment integrations for credit card and paypal sales, marketing promotions and coupons, etc. When I shot weddings or events I primarily leveraged digital download sales or distribution with some add-on print options. It worked well. Today I use it as a personal online storage and sharing portal as I have moved into a different direction professionally.
Adobe Lightroom and Capture One Upload Integration
You can upload directly from within Adobe Lightroom and Capture One. This streamlines the process, especially for the working professional.
SmugMug Platform App
Wether you are on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, using Adobe Lightroom or AppleTV, SmugMug has an app for you to access and view your images.
100% Image Quality Uploads (Zero Compression)
Uploaded images have zero compression applied. They are pixel perfect as uploaded for absolute integrity.
Plans and Prices
My plan is the Power plan. I used to have the Portfolio and Pro plans when I was professionally shooting weddings and portraits. The value for secure unlimited storage is great. You could make SmugMug your complete turnkey experience from online storage to a complete store front with print sales and digital downloads.
Support Heros
SmugMug Hero Support is excellent. They are there 24/7/364 to answer questions. If you are looking for LIVE chat support for Portfolio and Pro customers, then upgrade to the Portfolio or a Pro accounting. Their average response is within an hour. I have used their support service a few times and it has always been a great experience.
PROS
- Unlimited Image Storage
- Strong Commitment to Security
- Super Easy Sharing with Friends or Family
- Flexible enough to be used for Personal or Business
- Custom Domain Capable
- Fast Amazon AWS Storage
- Fantastic SmugMug Heroes Support
- RAW image storage available for a fee
CONS
- Customizing themes to fit your brand is a learning curve
- Video files limited to 30fps and 1080p
A pixel is more than an electrical signal. It is the light that creates and darkness that harbours.
