How gallery pricing actually works
Client gallery platforms typically use one of two pricing models to charge photographers: storage based limits or photo count limits. Understanding the difference is crucial for choosing the most cost effective option for your specific photography niche.
Storage based pricing, used by platforms like Pixieset and CloudSpot, limits the total gigabytes of data you can upload. High resolution JPEGs usually average around 5MB each. If you shoot high volume weddings and deliver thousands of images per month, you will chew through storage limits incredibly fast and quickly find yourself needing an unlimited plan. Conversely, ShootProof charges by the total number of photos hosted regardless of file size, which can be advantageous if you deliver very large files.
Another major factor is store commission. Free or cheap entry level plans often take a 15% cut of any print sales you make through the gallery store. If you sell a lot of prints, that 15% commission will easily eclipse the monthly cost of upgrading to a premium, zero commission plan. Always run the numbers on your expected print sales before settling for a free tier.
Related Guides:
- Best Client Gallery Software - Read our deep dive into the top platforms and see how their features compare beyond just price.
- Pic-Time vs Pixieset vs ShootProof - A detailed comparison of the big three gallery platforms.