How to 'Block Access to Originals' to Protect SmugMug Photos?

Protecting your photography online is essential in today's digital world. If you're using SmugMug to showcase your work, you'll want to make sure your high-resolution images don't end up being downloaded and used without your permission. One effective way to do this is by blocking access to original files. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, helping you safeguard your creative work while still sharing it with your audience.

Why You Should Protect Your Original Photos on SmugMug

Before diving into the how-to, let's quickly cover why this matters. As a photographer, your images represent both your artistic vision and potential income. When high-resolution originals are easily accessible, you risk:

• Unauthorized use of your photos
• Loss of potential sales
• Copyright infringement
• People printing your work without permission

SmugMug offers several protection features, and blocking access to originals is one of the most important ones you can implement.

Step-by-Step Guide to Block Access to Originals

Method 1: Blocking Access Through Gallery Settings

This is the most common method and allows you to control access at the gallery level:

1. Log into your SmugMug account using your credentials
2. Navigate to the gallery you want to protect
3. Click on the gallery settings (usually a gear icon)
4. Select "Security & Privacy" from the menu options
5. Find "Image Protection" section
6. Check the box next to "Block original image downloads"
7. Save your changes by clicking the "Save" button

This setting will prevent visitors from accessing or downloading the original high-resolution versions of your photos in that specific gallery.

Method 2: Setting Global Protection Rules

If you want to apply the same protection across your entire site:

1. Go to your SmugMug dashboard
2. Click on "Settings" in the top navigation
3. Select "Privacy" from the menu
4. Look for "Site-wide Settings"
5. Find "Original Photos" section
6. Select "Block" from the dropdown menu
7. Save your settings

This global approach ensures all galleries follow the same protection rules unless you specifically override them at the gallery level.

Method 3: Using Custom Access Rules

For more granular control, you can set up custom access rules:

1. Go to your SmugMug dashboard
2. Click "Settings" then "Privacy"
3. Select "Access Rules"
4. Click "Create New Rule"
5. Name your rule (e.g., "Block Originals")
6. Under "What," select "Original Photos"
7. Under "Who," choose who can access originals (like only you or specific users)
8. Under "Where," select which galleries this rule applies to
9. Save your new rule

Custom rules give you the flexibility to allow certain people (like clients) to access originals while blocking general visitors.

Additional Protection Measures for Your SmugMug Photos

Blocking access to originals is just one part of a comprehensive protection strategy. Here are other settings you should consider:

Enable Right-Click Protection

1. Go to gallery settings or site-wide settings
2. Find "Right-Click Protection"
3. Enable this feature
4. Save changes

This prevents the standard right-click download method many visitors use to save images.

Add Watermarks to Your Photos

1. Go to your dashboard
2. Select "Settings" and then "Watermarks"
3. Click "Create New Watermark"
4. Upload your watermark image or create a text watermark
5. Adjust position, opacity, and size
6. Save your watermark
7. Apply it to galleries as needed

Watermarks add a visual deterrent and make images less appealing to steal.

Control Display Size

Limiting the display size of your images can also help protect them:

1. Go to gallery settings
2. Find "Display Size" settings
3. Choose a smaller display size (like Medium or Large instead of X3Large)
4. Save your settings

Smaller display sizes mean lower resolution images are shown on your site, making them less valuable to potential thieves.

Understanding SmugMug's Protection Limitations

While these measures significantly improve your photo security, it's important to understand their limitations:

No online protection system is 100% foolproof, but using these features creates multiple layers of security that deter most potential image theft.

How to Check If Your Protection Is Working

After setting up these protections, you should verify they're working correctly:

1. Log out of your SmugMug account
2. Visit your gallery as a regular visitor
3. Try to right-click on images (you should see a warning or nothing should happen)
4. Check if the largest displayed image is the size you intended
5. Look for any "Download" buttons (they should be absent or restricted)

If you find any issues, go back and check your settings to make sure everything is configured correctly.

Balancing Protection and User Experience

While protecting your photos is important, you also need to consider your visitors' experience. Here's how to find the right balance:

Comparison: Protection Levels and Their Impact

Choose the level that makes sense for your specific needs and audience.

Selling Your Photos Safely on SmugMug

If you're using SmugMug to sell photos, blocking access to originals is particularly important. Here's how to set up a secure selling system:

1. Enable all protection measures discussed above
2. Set up your price lists in SmugMug
3. Configure automatic watermarks on display images
4. Enable shopping cart features
5. Set up secure delivery methods for purchased images

This approach allows customers to see your work but requires purchase to get clean, high-resolution versions.

FAQs About Protecting SmugMug Photos

Will blocking access to originals affect how my photos look on my SmugMug site?

No, blocking access to originals only prevents downloads of the full-resolution files. Your photos will still display at the quality level you've set for your galleries. Visitors will see your images normally; they just won't be able to download the high-resolution versions.

Can I allow certain people to access originals while blocking others?

Yes, SmugMug's custom access rules let you create exceptions. You can set up specific rules that allow certain users (like clients or family members) to access original files while blocking general visitors. This is perfect for photographers who need to share high-res files with specific people.

If I block originals, how do clients get their purchased photos?

When a client purchases your photos through SmugMug's commerce system, they automatically get access to download the originals they've paid for. The protection settings don't interfere with legitimate purchases, so your sales process will work smoothly even with protections in place.

Can someone still steal my photos if I use all these protection methods?

Unfortunately, if someone can see your photos on screen, there's always some risk. A determined person could still take screenshots or use specialized software. However, the methods described in this article create enough barriers to prevent casual theft and make your images much more secure than unprotected ones.

Do I need to pay for a higher-tier SmugMug plan to access these protection features?

Some basic protection features are available on all SmugMug plans, but certain advanced options (like custom watermarks and access rules) may require higher-tier plans. Check SmugMug's current pricing page for the most up-to-date information on which features are included with each subscription level.

Conclusion

Blocking access to your original photos on SmugMug is a crucial step in protecting your creative work online. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can maintain control over your high-resolution images while still sharing your photography with the world. Remember to implement multiple layers of protection for the best results, including right-click protection, watermarks, and controlled display sizes. While no system is completely foolproof, these measures create significant barriers that deter most casual theft and unauthorized usage. Take the time to set up these protections now, and you'll save yourself potential headaches and lost revenue in the future.