Hi All,

I'm looking for a proofing systems to fit my introductory needs. I'm starting to use WHCC to fulfill my print orders, and I need an easy way for clients to be able to review quality proofs online and select the images they would like me to print. Something perhaps where they check off the images they want, and the order request is sent to me via email. Ideally, the request is sent to me, rather than the lab. Then, I can upload their selects to WHCC. I'd also like to offer other print sizes that the client can check off and list the prices for those as well.

Anyone care to point me in the right direction? Any fees involved? I'm probably describing something pretty obvious, but any guidance is much appreciated.

For now, I made a gallery of thumbnails with ShowIt, but it seems a bit cumbersome to ask the clients to email me the numbers of the images they want.

thanks!

What you're describing is the need for a cart/ordering system. I'd recommend searching for threads with the various options: PickPic, SkooksKart, PhotoCart, RedCart, IntoTheDarkroom, etc.

Good luck!

I use Photocart for my online proofing and ordering and then fulfill with WHCC.

Love the setup!

Ksenia

I use exposure manager and for the most part I self fulfill. You can add a comment section where they can put the prints they want and sizes then self fulfill with WHCC. In those instances ie; graduation event where I don't want to deal with each little order, they can just make their choices and have EM print it and it gets sent to them direct. They cost I think something like $100 a year?

I'm just starting out with Instaproofs.

It's pretty simple and has a ton of features.
They charge you 15% off the top of your sales, but they handle all CC transactions. Once a client places an order they send you an email with all the specifics and you process it on your own with WHCC or whoever your lab is.

No other hidden fees or charges. You could always just try it out cuz it won't cost you a dime if you change your mind and use something else.

You can do this with Collages.net too, but it's a double-whammy. They take a 15% commission for hosting the proofing site and running the client's credit card, and then you still have to pay WHCC for the prints. So you really have to be aware of marking up your prices accordingly.

Personally, I don't like the fact that Collages.net gets a percentage of sales if they're not printing the orders. I would rather pay a higher event fee, and no commission... assuming I'd be saving money.

But if you're just starting out, it's a very good solution to get your feet wet. And no long-term commitment.

With EM you don't pay them anything but the yearly/monthly fee... so you can use them strictly as a gallery if you'd like.

I use EZPS - works slick and is super simple to use.


BTW - Rowena, that is a sweet shot of Mac Powell!

check out Photoshelter
and view a sample of my events Here

Wow, thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it. I'll start looking into these and seeing what my option are. If anyone else has ideas, feel free to chime in.

I know our own wedding photographer used Sendtoprint.com, but at the time he just used it as a way to show us a selection of images, not to order proofs from. So, not sure if Sendtoprint is in the same category. Anyone hear of it?

What you are describing is *exactly* what I do with PhotoCart. Loooooove PhotoCart, can't say enough good things about it! They pick the images, place the order, I get the order, I fulfill with WHCC, I send it off to the client, or deliver if they are local.

Added perk? PhotoCart is a ONE TIME fee for the software of $279. A little more if you buy the add-on that allows you to sell all sorts of other things. (Bags, jewelry, etc.) I host my own site, and the install was pretty easy but I have experience installing WordPress, and it was similar. The owner of the company will do installs too if you need help, and I have heard many good things about him.

No commission, no cut for anyone else, and really? Not that much work. Although I do hate making trips to the post office.

Christine

Do you do the ROES PF through WHCC? Or is it just for the larger, more special orders that you go to the post office?

PhotoCart does sound interesting. Thanks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but for future reference, is this the primary way to operate when printing through a house like WHCC? It seems like you do have to be somewhat involved in the fulfillment process with WHCC -- which I don't mind.

Yes. You're definitely involved.

I wish WHCC would launch their own proofing site to rival Collages.net's interface. Click one button to fulfill. Done. Online proofing is obviously lucrative. I wonder why they haven't gotten in the game as a one-stop shop.

They could take over the universe!

I use photocart too.

http://www.jamiedelaine.com/photocart -- if you want to check it out.

I've been using a combination of Instaproofs and WHCC for two years and have had ZERO problems. I love both of those companies!

+1

Although we are switching over to PickPic, we used the EOS Template for many years and fulfilled through WHCC. It's a bit cumbersome to get configured, but the initial monetary investment is pretty low. Peter does a pretty nice job of answering questions on his yahoo forum. Worth a look into if you are on a limited budget.
http://www.eostemplate.com/eos/index.html

I too fulfill through EOS Template, and love it.

No middle man reaching into MY backpocket. Yes, I do all the work, but it's all automated.

My images are protected, I'm protected, I print through Miller's and fulfill the clients wishes.

Actually I've got about 900 prints to sort through and order tonight, so I'm off to do that, but you see how it works.

I'm willing to show off one of my engagement shoots.

Click the link, it's the password page for the EOS Template.

http://tmillerphoto.com/store/login.php

password: willson123

btw, the password IS case sensitive.

Hope you enjoy... we had a good time!

Btw - I can have as little or as much info, options, prices, discounts, coupons, etc that I want.

The ONLY downside trully to EOS Template is you can't order from multiple galleries and combine the carts. 1 event, 1 price, 1 shipping cost. 2 soccer games = 2 events, 2 prices, 2 shipping costs.

Good thing I don't shoot soccer though!

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

I just put out an update for my basicgallery system. It fits exactly what you're asking for, and no commissions. It's about 1/2 the price of photocart, and has features that most other carts don't have (instant crop proofing, gallery comments, automatic notifications, etc).

No problems with clients ordering from multiple galleries either.

www.on3galleries.com

Feel free to PM or email me if you are interested!

(BTW: It works with Showit Web really well - and lets you default to the slideshow first!)

Shan

another vote for EZ PhotoSales - i've been very happy with the software, not to mention that another fantastic OSPer owns the company. oh, and my clients love it too - big plus!

Can the EZ PhotoSales users comment on how they feel about the look of the galleries? Not knocking Carey here, but in the demos I have seen it doesn't have anywhere near the polish of Collages.net or the new Pictage interface.

I guess it's not a turn-off for your clients because everyone seems to be using it successfully. Just wondering if the look is a compromise or consideration for anyone.

The interface changes with the images, colors & fonts you choose.
The size of the thumbnails you use also makes a big difference in the look (I want to start using bigger ones. I think that looks snazzy).
Personally, I think that our galleries look a lot more polished and visually pleasing than some of the other "self-hosted" solutions, and the flexibility built in sure gives the photographer a lot of options for changing the look of the system. We keep the focus on the images, trying to keep text fine print OFF the main page (putting info in links instead of on the page, putting purchasing stuff in pull-down menus, etc).


If you set it up ugly, it will be a turn off for sure. If you set it up with polished professional header/logo and visually pleasing colors & fonts, it will look good. I think my client galleries look good, but if you don't, oh well.

The coolest thing is that there are so many solutions with different looks, feels, prices, features, benefits, down sides, and photographers can look at all of them and figure out what will work best for their business. If a photographer chooses our system, cool! If he/she goes with something else, awesome. I hope it works well for what they want to do.

Of course, we always want to improve our system. I'm also working my booty off to try to get AfterShutter done. AfterShutter has features that none of the other systems have (self-hosted or commission based) that will really help photographers show off what they've got to sell. I'm off to work on some demo videos for that!

~Carey

Carey, do you have a password I can use? I would love to see what you feel is your best looking option. Perhaps you'll change my mind!

check out the "Brenner..." gallery. The password is: feather

Right now I have that Gina Alexander special up for my logo. When I'm not running a special, I have a pretty little flash intro there instead of the jpg.
I use the "logo" option when I'm running a special, or when I put up an "out of office" notice on the entry page (like "order away! All orders will be processed when we get back on xxxdate").

I think my galleries look good FOR ME, but I've seen a lot of photographers set up w/different colors, fonts, layouts, and it looks totally different but ultra cool for their style.

Matt - as carey said, it TOTALLY depends on how you set EZPS up. i've re-worked my site many times to customize the look and feel of the galleries so they are "comfortable" for clients to view and use. sure, EZPS isn't some showy flash interface like collages or (i haven't used pictage) but sometimes less is more. my clients love that EZPS galleries load quickly, are easy to navigate, and i can QUICKLY add something to the pricing menus if they want a product that isn't normally offered. if you set up the front end of EZPS to look lame, it will look lame. if you take the little amount of time that it takes to get a good look and feel in the galleries, you can really make it look impressive.

now, mine isn't as impressive as some that i've seen, but it works very well for me and my clients comment all the time on how much they love the layout and ease of use. if you'd like to take a look, send me a PM and i'll send you a session ID and password that you can use at my EZPS galleries, located at http://client.meeksdigital.com

I love studiocart!

www.studiocart.com

The man who owns it, Brian, is just amazing with customer service!

For example, I had a client having problems with their billing address. I filled out a service ticket with priority "high", (meaning a 24 hour response). Within 10 minutes he was on the phone with me solving the problem, even though it was 11pm or something his time. Just amazing I tell you!