What all Gallery Settings are Available to SmugMug Users?

If you're a SmugMug user looking to make the most of your photography display options, understanding the gallery settings can help you create exactly the right showcase for your images. SmugMug offers a wide range of customization options that allow you to control how your photos appear, who can see them, and how visitors interact with your work. Let's explore all the gallery settings available to help you get the most out of your SmugMug experience.

Basic Gallery Settings

When you first set up a gallery on SmugMug, you'll encounter several basic settings that help establish the foundation of your photo display:

Gallery Name and Description

Every gallery starts with a name and description. These elements help visitors understand what they're viewing and provide context for your images. You can edit these anytime by:

• Clicking the gallery you want to edit
• Selecting "Gallery Settings"
• Updating the name and description fields

Adding keywords in your description can also help with search visibility, both within SmugMug and on search engines.

Gallery Cover Image

The cover image serves as the visual representation of your gallery in folders and on your homepage. You can select any image from within the gallery to serve as the cover, or upload a specific image just for this purpose.

Gallery URL

SmugMug allows you to customize the URL for each gallery, making it easier to share and more professional-looking. Custom URLs can include relevant keywords that describe the content of your gallery.

Layout and Display Settings

How your photos appear to visitors is crucial for creating the right impression. SmugMug offers extensive layout and display options:

Gallery Style

SmugMug provides several gallery style options:

• Grid: Traditional thumbnail layout
• Collage: Varied-size images in a mosaic pattern
• Journal: Photos with text in a blog-like format
• Slideshow: Full-screen presentation of images

Each style creates a different viewing experience for your audience, so choose the one that best fits your content and goals.

Thumbnail Size and Spacing

Control how your thumbnails appear with size and spacing settings. You can adjust:

• Thumbnail dimensions (small, medium, large)
• Spacing between images
• Rows per page

These settings help you create either a compact gallery with many images visible at once or a more spacious layout that gives each image room to breathe.

Sort Order

Determine how your photos are arranged with sort order options:

• Date (newest or oldest first)
• File name
• Caption
• Custom order (drag and drop)

The custom order option gives you complete control over the sequence of your images, allowing you to tell a specific story or create a particular visual flow.

Captions and Metadata Display

Choose what information appears alongside your photos:

• Titles
• Captions
• EXIF data (camera settings)
• Location information

Displaying camera settings can be particularly useful for educational galleries or when sharing with other photographers.

Privacy and Security Settings

SmugMug gives you control over who can view and interact with your photos:

Privacy Options

Set the visibility level for each gallery:

Password Protection

For galleries that need an extra layer of security, password protection ensures only those with the correct password can view your images. You can set unique passwords for different galleries or use the same password across multiple galleries.

Sharing Controls

Decide how visitors can share your work:

• Enable/disable social media sharing buttons
• Allow/disallow embedding of your gallery on other websites
• Control email sharing options

These controls help you manage how your work spreads online while still allowing legitimate sharing when appropriate.

Commercial Settings

If you sell your photography, SmugMug offers several important gallery settings:

Pricing Profiles

Attach pricing profiles to galleries to sell prints and digital downloads. You can:

• Apply different pricing to different galleries
• Set up package deals
• Offer discounts for specific galleries

Shopping Cart Options

Customize the buying experience for your customers:

• Set minimum purchase amounts
• Add watermarks to preview images
• Enable/disable specific product types

Digital Download Settings

If you sell digital files, you can control:

• File sizes available for purchase
• Download expiration periods
• Usage rights information

Advanced Gallery Settings

SmugMug also provides several advanced options for gallery management:

Folder Organization

Organize your galleries into folders and subfolders to create a logical structure for your photography. This helps visitors navigate through your work and helps you manage large collections of images.

Gallery SEO Settings

Improve your search engine visibility with gallery-specific SEO settings:

• Custom meta descriptions
• SEO titles
• Keyword optimization

These settings can help your galleries rank better in search results when people look for topics related to your photography.

Right-Click Protection

Discourage casual copying of your images by enabling right-click protection. While not foolproof, this setting adds a basic layer of protection against unauthorized downloads.

Watermarking

Add custom watermarks to your images to protect your copyright. You can:

• Upload custom watermark images
• Control watermark opacity
• Position watermarks precisely on your photos

Comparison of SmugMug Gallery Types

Social Integration Settings

Connect your gallery with social media and other platforms:

Comments and Likes

Enable or disable comments and likes on your galleries. This can foster engagement with your audience and provide valuable feedback on your work.

Social Sharing Buttons

Choose which social media platforms visitors can share your work to directly from your gallery. You can enable or disable specific platforms based on where your audience is most active.

External Service Integration

Connect your SmugMug galleries with external services:

• Facebook integration
• Instagram connections
• Google Analytics tracking

Mobile Display Settings

With more people viewing photos on mobile devices, SmugMug offers specific settings for mobile display:

Mobile Layout Options

Control how your galleries appear on smartphones and tablets. You can adjust thumbnail sizes, spacing, and other elements specifically for mobile viewers.

Mobile-Specific Content

Some SmugMug plans allow you to customize content that appears only on mobile devices, helping you create a better experience for on-the-go visitors.

FAQs About SmugMug Gallery Settings

How do I change the layout of my SmugMug gallery after I've created it?

You can change your gallery layout at any time by going to the gallery, clicking on "Gallery Settings," and selecting the "Style" tab. From there, you can choose from grid, collage, journal, or slideshow layouts. All your photos will automatically adjust to the new layout style.

Can I have different privacy settings for different galleries on SmugMug?

Yes, SmugMug allows you to set unique privacy settings for each individual gallery. This means you can have some galleries public, others password-protected, and some completely private, all within the same account.

What's the difference between unlisted and private galleries on SmugMug?

An unlisted gallery can be viewed by anyone who has the direct link, but won't appear in search results or your public gallery list. A private gallery requires specific permission to view—only you and people you've explicitly granted access can see these galleries, even with the direct link.

How can I prevent people from downloading my photos from SmugMug?

While no online protection is 100% foolproof, SmugMug offers several layers of protection: you can enable right-click protection, add watermarks to your images, disable originals viewing, and limit the display size of your photos. These measures make casual copying more difficult.

Can I organize my SmugMug galleries into categories or folders?

Yes, SmugMug allows you to create folders and subfolders to organize your galleries. This creates a hierarchical structure that makes navigation easier for your visitors and helps you manage large collections of images. You can drag and drop galleries between folders to reorganize them at any time.

Conclusion

SmugMug's extensive gallery settings give photographers remarkable control over how their work is displayed, shared, and protected online. From basic organization to advanced commercial features, these settings help you create exactly the right showcase for your photography. By taking time to explore and configure these options, you can create a photography website that perfectly represents your vision and meets your specific needs as a photographer.

Whether you're a professional selling prints, an enthusiast sharing with friends and family, or somewhere in between, SmugMug's gallery settings provide the tools you need to present your images exactly as you intend them to be seen.