Switching from Pixieset to CoreHue
Use this guide to recreate your Pixieset gallery and booking workflows in CoreHue. Start with one gallery, test the client's viewing and download options, then set up the documents and services you need.
The words are close enough to be confusing, so start with the table below.
What it's called in CoreHue
| In Pixieset | In CoreHue | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Gallery | A set of finished photos and videos with its own link. |
| Set | Chapter | Every gallery starts with a chapter called Featured. |
| Favorite lists | Collections | Clients star photos into named collections and send them to you. |
| Collection password | Gallery password | One password for everyone with the link. |
| Client Exclusive Access | Client access | A private client password that opens client-only chapters. |
| Download PIN | Download PIN | 4 digits, and switched on for every new gallery. |
| Email registration | Email registration | Visitors give their email before viewing. |
| Gallery expiry date | Auto expiry | The gallery goes offline on the date you pick. |
| Cover and design | Layout tab | 14 cover layouts, 14 typography sets and 9 color palettes. |
| Video in galleries | Gallery video | On Plus and Pro, in the same chapters as your photos. |
| Studio Manager clients | Contacts | Leads and clients, with every booking, document, payment and gallery on one page. |
| Session types | Services | Each service is an inquiry, a direct booking or a mini session. |
| Invoices, contracts, questionnaires | Invoices, contracts, questionnaires | Plus proposals that bundle pricing, contract and payment in one link. |
| Pixieset Store | Nothing | CoreHue has no print store or lab integration. |
| Collection presets | Nothing | There are no saved gallery presets. Each gallery's design and settings are set in the gallery itself. |
| Website | Nothing | CoreHue doesn't build portfolio websites. |
What moves over, and how
There's no importer, so you move what you need by hand. That's usually less than you'd think.
Galleries still in use. Download the photos from each Pixieset collection you still need, then create a gallery in CoreHue and upload them. Upload one set at a time into its own chapter and your structure comes with you. CoreHue takes JPEG and PNG photos up to 100 MB each, and RAW files on Pro. Older collections can run out their time on Pixieset.
Videos. On Plus and Pro, upload MP4, MOV, M4V or AVI files into the same gallery. See Video formats and export settings.
Clients. Add the ones you're actively working with in Contacts. Everyone else will arrive as they inquire, book or fill in a contact form.
Contracts and questionnaires. Paste your contract text into a contract template and replace the blanks with variables so client and booking details fill in. Rebuild questionnaires in the questionnaire builder.
Prices. Save your packages as items so invoices and proposals take seconds.
What CoreHue does differently
One place for the whole job. Inquiry, proposal, contract, deposit, booking and gallery all link to the same contact, so you can see where every client is at a glance.
More ways to keep things private. Beyond passwords and PINs, you can keep chapters for your client's eyes only, hide chapters from everyone, let your client hide photos from guests, and switch downloads on for some chapters and not others. See Who can see your gallery.
Guided proofing. A selection request gives your client a brief and a photo limit, like 40 photos for the album, and shows their progress as they pick.
Booking that collects everything. A direct booking service can take the signed contract, questionnaire answers and deposit before the booking confirms. See Setting up direct booking.
What you'd give up
If print sales through a Pixieset Store are a meaningful part of your income, or your Pixieset Website is your portfolio, CoreHue won't replace those today. Many photographers keep a print lab and their own website alongside CoreHue. For the full list, see What CoreHue doesn't do (yet).
Your first week
Day 1. Create your account, add your logo and business details, and set your default currency.
Day 2. Rebuild one recent collection as a CoreHue gallery: upload, split into chapters, then pick a cover layout and colors.
Day 3. Go through the gallery's Settings: Sharing, Access and Downloads. Decide whether to keep the download PIN, since it's on from the start.
Day 4. Publish it, send it to yourself, and open the link in a private window to see your client's view. See Sharing a gallery by email.
Day 5. Adapt a starter contract, connect payments, and publish your first service and booking page.
Then. Deliver your next job through CoreHue from the start.
Frequently asked questions
Is CoreHue a good Pixieset alternative for photographers?
Yes, if you want client galleries and the business side (booking, contracts, proposals, invoices and client messages) in one account. CoreHue covers all of it. If print sales or a portfolio website are central to how you work, keep a print tool or website alongside CoreHue.
Can I move my Pixieset galleries automatically?
No. CoreHue has no Pixieset importer. Download the photos from Pixieset and upload them to CoreHue. Move the galleries clients still use, and leave the rest.
Will my clients' favorites come across?
No. Pixieset favorite lists stay in Pixieset. If a client is mid-selection, let them finish there, or ask them to pick again in the new gallery.
Does CoreHue have a free plan?
Yes. CoreHue has a Free plan with no time limit. After your 14-day Plus trial you can stay on Free, which keeps galleries, invoices, payments and contact forms working with smaller limits. See What's included on the Free plan.