My Gallery and print ordering software.

Just a quick poll:
I have recently created a web application to take my images, create a gallery and offer print options and prices for each image.
If the viewer likes an image and marks its checkbox, then print options for that image are revealed.
On submission, the viewer is taken to PayPal to pay and an email with all the details including thumbnail reminders is sent to me (or you).

Question is - would this be any use to you guys?

It involves no scripting or web knowledge - you just drop your re-sized images into a browser window to upload them and hey presto! you have a gallery. The application creates a menu of galleries.

All galleries are Google-friendly, or can be password protected.
You need windows hosting, which I can arrange.

I can't show you yet due to security, but here's a snap shot.


(Snapshot doesn't show print options)

I'm nowhere near that stage yet, but it sounds like a good idea....you're far too clever

I love that image too.

I think the idea definitely has legs and worth pursuing. Dare say that there are a few of us around who'd be very happy to sell the odd image now and again but haven't the time or energy to set up a bespoke web gallery. So an 'off the peg' app got to be of interest.

Steve

Thanks for the comments guys.

The thing with this is it's for photographers who want control over their prints, so don't want to leave it to the cheap printers with their automated systems.

This application makes it really easy for the buyer to quickly choose and pay, no hassle, no complex choices and the gallery is fast!

It could easily be set up with different payment options like cheques and phone-in.

The order can just be forwarded to your print shop with the appropriate images. Or the application could send directly to him (but you would have to make sure he had the images in advance).

I like the idea of just waking up richer! and this app can facilitate exactly that.

This is a shameless bump. Because I need to make sure that a good number of you have had a look and are/aren't interested.

BTW, Steve, was that a leg pun? Sorry if I missed it

I'm not in the market for this, but it looks beautifully simple and elegant. Go for it, there's an awful lot of photographers out there.

G

Mark,
Maybe a daft question. But who is supposed to do the final print?
You? The photographer and seller, the costumer or by choice a external print lab?

Martin.

Thanks George.

Martin, it is primarily designed for startup photographers like me who don't need or can't afford the complex gallery portals.
This system posts print requests to you to forward, or straight to your chosen lab - preferably a pro lab.
If you know you've done a shoot which will sell prints - like a wedding or baby shoot, then you post your CD of potential images to the lab and then when you have confirmed payment you forward the email to the lab and they dispatch directly to the buyer.
If the lab is willing to take payments directly from the buyer then the application can send directly to them.

The reason I asked is the following.
As a photographer, beginner or advanced pro you create pictures.
These pictures are giving you a identity in which you are recognized for future clients.
They provide a "look" and therefore are a very important part of Your Product.

As the creator of these images you want to make sure your clients are getting the product as you have meant it to be.

In the selling stage you have a couple of options to make sure the identity and integrity of your product isn't breached.

A# you print them yourself (absolute control)
B# you out source to a pro lab, then do the end control your self.
C# you hand over the file to a client and hope that a printing lab which you don't know doesn't mess up.
D# you hand over the file to a client, which is then printed by the client him self.

First two points, no problem.You and your work is covered.
The last two point? Well.......Murphy was a optimist, you know

I'll say this because Zenfolio (which I use) provides a similar service as you describe. But the big niggle is, you as a photographer are at the hands of mercy and have no control over the end product received by the client. And that is something, I wouldn't like to happen. Of course, it is a very personal thing. But the integrity of my pictures (specially If I would sell them, is sacred to me) And somehowe....I don't see that covered in your set up.

Martin.

Ah, well I'm glad you brought that up, because that's precisely what this app is designed to do - keep you in control of every step in the process.

you could just use a free service from one of the huge, cheap labs, but I want more control than that without costing loads or having limits imposed.

So my app, can be whatever you want it to be.
You have a simple admin page where you set things like the recipient of the print request.

If you are confident in your lab and they can take money on your behalf, then send it straight to them.

More likely tho', you'll set it to send you the email, you check your paypal account for payment then dispatch the request to the lab with your own payment. The lab then sends the prints to you, at which point you do your thing to finish the product, or they send straight to the buyer.

Ahh....You have covered all angles then. I am glad my question wasn't as daft as I thought it would be. I wish you luck and hope you wake up rich some day.(think of us, if that happens)

Martin.