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Running an album or retouching selection

Album selections have a reputation for dragging on for months. Most of the delay comes from vague asks and lists that keep changing. This workflow keeps it short: a clear brief, a fixed number, a locked list, and file names you can paste straight into your editor.

It uses features that are on every plan.

Deliver the gallery as you normally would. Then, before you ask for picks:

  1. Go to Settings → Collections and check Allow collections and Allow submission are on.
  2. Turn on Lock after submission, so the list can't change once you start designing.
  3. Leave Collection notes on. Notes like "can we lose the exit sign?" are exactly what you want at this stage.
  4. Click Save.

See Collection settings for client favorites for what each switch does.

Order matters more than you'd think

Sort each chapter in story order (Date taken works well) before your client starts. People pick better when the photos read like the day.

2. Ask for exactly what you need​

  1. Click Selection requests at the bottom of the chapter list.
  2. Enter your client's email.
  3. Click the Album picks template. Change Max photos to the number your album package includes, and edit the brief, for example: "Choose 60 photos for your 30-page album. Pick your must-haves first."
  4. If retouching is part of the package, add the Retouch list template too, with its own limit.
  5. Click Continue to share and send the Send preset collection email.

Give a deadline in the email itself. Selection requests don't have a due date, so a line like "If you can send your picks by 15 March, your album will be with you in May" does the job. See Requesting client selections.

3. Let your client pick​

Your client opens the gallery with their email and finds Album picks waiting, with your brief and a count like "24 of 60 photos". They star photos, add notes, and click Send to photographer when they're done. Because the list locks on sending, the confirmation warns them first.

Send them Choosing your favorite photos if they'd like a walkthrough.

While they work, you can peek at progress under Activity → Collections. Collections show as Active until sent.

4. Review the selection​

You'll get a Collection submitted notification when they send it. Then:

  1. Open Activity → Collections and click the collection.
  2. Read the message they sent and the note on each photo.
  3. If something needs a conversation (they picked 58 and want to swap two), sort it out before you start.

5. Get the photos into your editor​

  1. In the collection's ⋯ menu, choose Copy file names.
  2. Pick the separator your editing software expects.
  3. If you edit from RAW files with the same names, use Replace under File extensions and choose your RAW extension, such as dng.
  4. Click Copy and paste the list into your editor's search or filter.

Export CSV gives you the same list with each photo's notes and chapter, handy as a checklist while you edit. See Reviewing your client's favorites.

6. Send files to your album designer or lab​

If someone else builds the album, choose Send as download from the same menu, pick Original, and email them the link. It lasts 48 hours and needs no password. See Sending favorites as a download.

7. Share the finished edits​

Once retouching is done, there are two easy ways to show your client:

  • Use Copy to new chapter on the collection to build a chapter of the selected photos, then replace them with your edited versions. See Renaming, replacing and checking photo details.
  • Or upload the finished files to a new chapter, such as "Album edits".

Copies count toward your storage like any other photo. See How storage works for photos and videos.

If your client needs to change their picks​

Turn Lock after submission off and save. Their collection opens up, they make the changes and click Send update, and you turn the lock back on. It helps to agree the changes first, so the design only has to change once.

Frequently asked questions​

Can both people in a couple pick photos?​

Yes, but each selection request goes to one email. Create a request for each of them, or ask them to pick together under one email, which is usually simpler.

Can my client pick more than the limit?​

No. A selection request enforces its photo limit, so your client is told "You've reached the 60-photo limit for this collection." If you're happy to add extra spreads, edit the request and raise Max photos.

Can videos be part of the selection?​

No. Collections hold photos only, so videos can't be part of an album selection.

Does any of this need a paid plan?​

Mostly no. Collections, selection requests, notes, locking and copying file names are on every plan. Sending Original files with Send as download needs Plus or Pro.

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