Shootproof vs Photonesto: apps for creating online galleries
As a photographer working mainly on session photography, I attach great importance to the
way I deliver my photos to clients. This is crucial for many reasons. Firstly, delivering photos
is the most important moment in my communication with clients, when they finally see the
effect of my work. This experience has to be great and the program I use to do it should be
reliable. Secondly, creating a gallery for clients can be really time-consuming. I personally
appreciate solutions which do not take too much of my time and are simple.
Apps for selling photos from sessions
My work is focused mainly on baby, children and family sessions. I have a lot of orders, so I
need to rely on a good program for selling photos. So far, I've used two applications for
photographers – Shootproof and Photonesto.
Initially, I used Shootproof. Up until recently it was the only system that allowed to sell
photos from sessions. A few months ago, I started using Photonesto and I am currently
selling my photos using this system. Below I will tell you about the differences and
similarities between the two applications.
What matters for a photographer
Both systems are fully professional and allow for reliable handling of packet photo
sales. Shootproof has many advanced functionalities and configuration options, but for this
reason it is more difficult to use. Surely there are some photographers who use all these
options, but I don’t belong to them. The method of adding photos is quite complicated here,
and creating a simple gallery can take a few minutes and requires a lot of clicking.
Photonesto is very different in this sense. It is simpler and at the same time allows
you to do exactly the same as Shootproof. At Photonesto I use Private Sessions option,
which is ideal for session photographers. To create a photo gallery, I enter basic info about the client and immediately I receive a gallery tailored to my specific order. It takes less than
a minute and is very easy.
What matters for a client
A good photo sales system should be satisfying for photographers and for their clients. Both
Photonesto and Shootproof offer clients a pleasant and modern interface. Galleries in both
cases load quickly, everything works as it should, and the programs do not freeze. What
makes Photonesto stand out is the clear way in which it summarizes orders. Thanks to
this, the client always knows exactly what he is paying for and what is the amount of the
additional payment for his order (in case of purchasing additional photos).
What I would love to see in Photonesto is the integration of the system with the payment
gateway, enabling the client to make payment when placing the order. Currently, I have to
handle all payments on my own, so I am looking forward to this functionality.
Price comparison
Shootproof and Photonesto are very different when it comes to the price and the payment
system. Shootproof works on a subscription model – in my case the annual fee was $200.
Photonesto uses the pay-as-you-go payment model, https://www.photonesto.com/en/blog/ which means you only pay when you
use it. In practice, payment in Photonesto is calculated separately for each session. Prices
start from $3 for a single session. With a comparable number of clients, my annual fee
for Photonesto services was about 30% lower than at Shootproof. That's a lot,
especially during low season or in unexpected circumstances, such as the current pandemic
which prevents you from working in normal mode. My current number of orders equals zero,
so it's very convenient that I don't have any costs.
Which platform is better?
Despite all similarities in the way the platforms work, Photonesto comes out as a better program! Both apps are designed well and look very good. However, Photonesto is simpler
and therefore more transparent. The smaller number of functionalities is an advantage,
because it makes me get what I want really quickly. And the 30% difference in the price of
Photonesto seals the deal!
