How to Hide Account Owner Information for a SmugMug Gallery?

Privacy is a top concern for many photographers who showcase their work online. If you use SmugMug to display your photography portfolio, you might want to keep your personal information private while still sharing your beautiful images with the world. This guide will walk you through the steps to hide your account owner information on your SmugMug gallery, helping you maintain your privacy while still running a professional photography site.

Why Hide Your SmugMug Account Information?

Before diving into the how-to steps, let's consider why you might want to hide your account owner details:

• Protect your personal identity
• Maintain professional branding
• Prevent unwanted contact
• Reduce spam and marketing targeting
• Separate your photography business from your personal life

Understanding SmugMug Privacy Settings

SmugMug offers various privacy controls that allow you to customize who sees what on your gallery. The platform recognizes that photographers have different needs when it comes to sharing their work and personal information.

What Information Can Be Hidden?

On SmugMug, you can hide or customize several pieces of account owner information:

• Your name
• Email address
• Social media links
• Location information
• Copyright notices
• About/bio sections

Step-by-Step Guide to Hide Account Owner Information

Follow these detailed steps to hide your personal information from your SmugMug gallery:

Step 1: Log into Your SmugMug Account

Start by accessing your SmugMug account:

1. Go to the SmugMug website (www.smugmug.com)
2. Click on "Log In" in the top-right corner
3. Enter your username and password
4. Click "Log In" to access your account

Step 2: Access Your Account Settings

Once logged in, you'll need to navigate to your account settings:

1. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner
2. Select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu
3. This will take you to your account management page

Step 3: Update Your Profile Information

To hide or modify your personal details:

1. In the Account Settings, look for the "Profile" tab or section
2. Click on "Edit" next to your profile information
3. Replace your real name with a business name, pseudonym, or photography brand
4. Remove or edit any personal details you don't want visible
5. Click "Save Changes" when done

Step 4: Adjust Your Privacy Settings

SmugMug has specific privacy controls you should configure:

1. In Account Settings, find the "Privacy" section
2. Review all options related to profile visibility
3. Toggle off any options that would reveal your personal information
4. Save your changes before moving on

Step 5: Customize Your Gallery Settings

Next, modify how your name appears on your galleries:

1. Go to your site customization area (click "Customize" when viewing your site)
2. Look for "Gallery Settings" or similar options
3. Find settings related to displaying the owner name
4. Disable or customize these options according to your preferences
5. Save your changes

Step 6: Check Your Footer Information

The footer often contains owner information by default:

1. In the site customization area, locate footer settings
2. Look for options to hide or customize the copyright information
3. Replace your personal name with your business name or remove it entirely
4. Save the changes to update your footer

Step 7: Update Contact Form Settings

If you have contact forms on your site:

1. Find the contact form settings in your site customization area
2. Check if your email address is visible
3. Configure the form to hide your email while still receiving messages
4. Consider using a business email rather than a personal one

Using Custom Domains to Enhance Privacy

Another effective way to hide your identity is by using a custom domain:

How to Set Up a Custom Domain

1. Purchase a domain name from a domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
2. In your SmugMug settings, go to "Domain" or "Website" settings
3. Follow the instructions to connect your custom domain
4. This removes the default SmugMug URL that might contain your username

Using a custom domain not only looks more professional but also removes any connection to your SmugMug username, which might contain personal information.

Creating a Business Identity

To further separate your personal identity from your photography:

Develop a Brand Name

Instead of using your personal name, consider creating a photography brand name to use across your SmugMug gallery.

Use a Business Email

Set up a dedicated email address for your photography that doesn't include your personal name.

Create a Logo

Design or commission a logo to use instead of your name on your gallery.

Checking Your Gallery's Public View

After making changes, it's essential to verify how your gallery appears to the public:

Use Incognito Mode

1. Open a new incognito/private browsing window in your web browser
2. Visit your SmugMug gallery URL
3. Browse through different pages and sections
4. Check if any personal information is still visible

Ask a Friend to Review

Have someone else check your site to spot any personal information you might have missed.

Advanced Privacy Techniques

For those wanting extra privacy protection:

Watermark Management

EXIF Data Management

Remember that your photos might contain metadata with personal information:

1. Before uploading, use photo editing software to strip EXIF data
2. In SmugMug settings, look for options to hide or strip EXIF data
3. Be especially careful with location data in your images

Balancing Privacy and Accessibility

While hiding your personal information is important, you still want clients to be able to contact you. Here's how to strike that balance:

Setting Up Anonymous Contact Methods

• Use contact forms that don't reveal your email address
• Consider a business phone number or Google Voice number
• Set up business social media accounts separate from personal ones

Privacy vs. Client Trust

Some potential clients might feel more comfortable working with a photographer whose identity they know. Consider what level of anonymity makes sense for your business model.

Comparing Privacy Options

Here's a quick comparison of different approaches to privacy on SmugMug:

Frequently Asked Questions

Will hiding my information on SmugMug affect my search engine rankings?

No, hiding your personal information won't negatively impact your SEO. In fact, using a business name consistently might help strengthen your brand presence in search results. Just make sure to keep your gallery titles, descriptions, and keywords rich and relevant.

Can I hide my information from SmugMug but show it to certain clients?

Yes, SmugMug allows for gallery-specific privacy settings. You can create private galleries with password protection where you might include more personal information for specific clients while keeping your public galleries more anonymous.

If I use a business name, do I need to register it legally?

Not necessarily, though it depends on your location and business goals. Many photographers use a "doing business as" (DBA) name without formal registration for their online presence. However, if you plan to accept payments under this name, you may need to register it officially.

Will SmugMug still show my real name in the URL if I hide it elsewhere?

If your SmugMug URL contains your username and that username includes your real name, visitors might see this. Using a custom domain is the best way to completely remove any trace of your username from your gallery's web address.

Can I change my SmugMug username if it contains my real name?

SmugMug doesn't typically allow username changes after account creation. If your username contains personal information you'd prefer to hide, your best options are either to use a custom domain or to consider creating a new account with a more private username.

Conclusion

Hiding your account owner information on SmugMug is a straightforward process that can help protect your privacy while maintaining a professional online presence. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can customize how much personal information is visible to your gallery visitors.

Remember to regularly check your gallery from a visitor's perspective to ensure your privacy settings are working as intended. With the right balance of privacy and accessibility, you can create a secure yet welcoming online space to showcase your photography work.

Whether you're concerned about privacy, building a brand separate from your personal identity, or simply keeping your professional and personal life separate, these SmugMug customization options give you the control you need to present your work exactly as you want it.