Welcome to our Pro family!

I've been in your shoes - I bought a SmugMug Pro subscription myself, in 2003. I loved it so much I joined the company!

My job is to help you along your way with SmugMug. Let's get you going, showing off your work, and selling photos.

Andy
SmugMug House Pro

Get your site up and running

• Ok first, add some photos.

  It doesn't matter which photos you add first, and don't worry yet about categories and organizing, you can do that anytime. Help!

  Pro Tip: Lots of SmugMug Pros use the excellent Star Explorer.

• Set portfolio pricing.

  Portfolio Pricing applies to every printable image on your SmugMug site. Later, you can set different pricing for certain galleries or images.

  Remember: Blank boxes mean at-cost sales. Get those boxes filled in!

  You can start selling your prints immediately, even before you submit a tax form.

• See your site like a customer.

  When you're logged in, you'll see a 'Visitor View' button near the top of your SmugMug homepage. Click it and you can instantly browse your site as the world sees it. Try adding a photo to your shopping cart and you'll see your pro pricing. Exit visitor view and your tools will reappear.

Find your rhythm

• What should you do to your photos before adding them?

  The simplest answer is to add photos to SmugMug as-is, or use a program like Adobe Photoshop to save your photos as jpeg 10, then add them. This will cut down on file size without compromising quality. More on file preparation here.

  If you plan to use SmugMug's Proof and Retouch feature, you'll be able to add jpeg 7s to your site. Remember, you'll need to add images that have enough resolution to support the largest size you'll be selling.

  This is a good time to decide about Auto vs. True Color. If you are using a calibrated system, and are proficient in post-processing, then True may be for you. Remember, the biggest issue for true color prints is exposure. Monitors are getting brighter all the time but prints never change, so it fools many photographers into thinking their photos are adjusted correctly, only to have them come out too dark with true color. Any doubts? Ask me to have a look at a sample gallery. I'm happy to help.

• Start with SmugMug built-in basics to make your homepage pretty and experiment with themes.

• As you add more galleries, you'll want to start organizing your site using categories (and subcategories!).

Get fancy

• Let's be sure your photos will look great in print!

  Of course, SmugMug's got your back, but you'll want to be sure that your digital darkroom and workflow is optimized for the best results. Please have a look at this calibration reference, and get a calibration print. You can benefit from many of your peer pros' experience, by checking out our Finishing School on Digital Grin.

  Be sure to actually place an order from your own site! It's important for you to understand it, and see it, as your customers will. This is a great time to go back to your Pro Pricing Tool, and learn the "penny-over" trick to track "at cost" sales. Order a few prints, and then be sure to contact me directly at SmugMug's help desk if you have any questions.

• Personalize your site.

  Here are some examples for inspiration. Stop in the Customization Forum on Dgrin, and you'll be amazed at what you can get done with help. From navbars and slideshows to dozens of neat 'site tricks' in our FAQ and our Wiki.

  My main piece of advice on customizing: take your time, and don't stress about it. Most anything you want to do, can be done. The many pro volunteers, our team, and I will get you there on Dgrin. We've customized literally thousands and thousands of pros, and we can help you, too!

Keep in touch

• Keep all of your SmugMug resources handy.

  Our Pro FAQ. SmugMug Pro Sales Support Forum. My Pro Blog. The Pro Wiki.

  TIP: Keep up-to-date with SmugMug Release Notes.

  TIP: On the SmugMug help pages, if you type in the search box up top, only the help pages will be searched!

• Put your email address and a welcome message in your bio box, so that your customers can reach you.

• More questions? SmugMug's Support Heroes and I are here for you, 365 days a year, nearly around the clock.