As a photographer, you know that the best memories are captured in photos. But often, the subjects of those amazing candid shots don’t get to see themselves from your perspective.
Snapped4U can help change that by giving you a platform to share and sell your event photos directly to your subjects.
In this comprehensive review, I’ll share my experience using Snapped4U as an event photographer so you can decide if it’s the right platform for you.
Table of Contents
Overview of Snapped4U
Snapped4U is an online marketplace that lets photographers upload and sell prints and digital downloads of their event photos.
As the photographer, you set up a custom gallery for each event, upload your photos, and set your own prices.
The subjects of your photos are then able to browse the gallery, select their favorite shots, and purchase digital downloads or printed products.
Snapped4U handles the transactions, printing, and delivery so you can focus on taking great photos.
Unlike stock photo sites, Snapped4U is designed specifically for event and portrait photographers.
It’s an easy way to make extra money from photos you’re already taking while giving your subjects a way to obtain prints and digital downloads.
How Snapped4U Works
Getting started with Snapped4U is straightforward:
- Sign up: Register for an account and pay the $10 setup fee. This gives you access to the site for 2 years before you need to start selling photos.
- Create galleries: Build custom galleries for each of your events. You can have multiple galleries to organize your photos.
- Upload photos: Add your best shots to the relevant galleries. Snapped4U supports JPEG and PNG file types.
- Set prices: Choose prices for digital downloads and various print sizes. You keep 80-90% of each sale.
- Share gallery: Send clients the gallery link so they can view and purchase photos.
- Get paid: Snapped4U pays out earnings over $50 each month via PayPal.
It’s designed to be simple for both photographers and clients. As the photographer, you handle the photography itself and set up the galleries. Snapped4U takes care of the rest of the transactions and delivery.
Pricing and Commissions
One of the best parts of Snapped4U is the fair pricing and commissions:
- $10 setup fee: This buys you 2 years on the platform before any sales are required.
- 10-12% commission: Snapped4U takes 10% from US photographers or 12% from international.
- $0.50-0.60 minimum: Even for very small sales, the minimum commission is $0.50 (US) or $0.60 (international).
- Monthly payouts: You’re paid each month once your account exceeds $50.
These commissions are much lower than many competitor sites. For example, other platforms may take 25-40% commissions. The small upfront and ongoing fees mean you earn more per sale.
Pros of Selling Photos on Snapped4U
In my experience, Snapped4U has several advantages:
- Low fees compared to other platforms
- Easy setup with a $10 one-time cost
- Customizable galleries for organizing your photos
- Print fulfillment is handled by Snapped4U
- Worldwide sales open up your potential audience
- Mobile friendly for clients to browse and purchase
- Direct connections with your photography subjects
The low commissions and fees were the biggest benefit for me. Snapped4U takes a much smaller cut compared to other sites, putting more money back into my pocket.
I also love being able to share my photos with my clients directly. The custom galleries make it simple for them to find and purchase their favorite shots from events.
Cons to Consider
The biggest downsides I experienced were:
- Monthly payouts – I’d prefer more frequent payments
- Need social sharing – You need to promote your galleries to drive sales
- No control over printing – Snapped4U handles the prints
The monthly payout schedule wasn’t ideal in my situation. I would have preferred bi-weekly or weekly payments. However, the $50 minimum threshold is reasonable.
You also need to share your galleries on social media or directly with clients.
The photos won’t sell themselves – you need to drive people to the site. This is fine if you already have an audience or social media following.
Finally, some photographers may not like handing off the print fulfillment. But for me, not having to handle logistics is a positive aspect of Snapped4U.
Is Snapped4U Worth It for Photographers?
For me, the pros of Snapped4U easily outweigh the cons. The platform allows me to earn extra money from event photos with very little added effort.
If you already photograph events, portraits, sports, or other activities, Snapped4U is an excellent addition to your business model.
The fair fees and commissions let you earn more from photos you’re already taking.
Uploading the photos takes some time, but creating the galleries and setting prices is quick. And you don’t have to do any marketing or fulfillment – Snapped4U handles everything after upload.
For beginners, it can also be a great entry point into selling your work.
The initial investment is minimal, and you can build your portfolio and audience over time.
Advice from Photographers Using Snapped4U
To give you more perspectives, here are some thoughts from photographers currently using Snapped4U:
I was initially apprehensive about trying Snapped4u for my photography business, but I’m so glad I took the leap. The platform has made the process smooth for both my clients and me. If any issues ever come up, Snapped4u’s staff are quick to resolve them in a professional manner. Overall, Snapped4u has been a great asset for my photography side business that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Most Users had great experiences using Snapped4U for portrait and event photography. They found it intuitive to set up and use, and noted the excellent customer support when needed.
Conclusion
Here are my final thoughts on using Snapped4U as an event photographer:
The Good:
- Low 10-12% commissions
- Easy setup and management
- Customizable galleries
- Handles print fulfillment
The Bad:
- Monthly payouts only
- Need to promote your own galleries
- No control over printing
The Verdict: An excellent platform for selling your event and portrait photos. The pros far outweigh the cons thanks to the fair fees and seamless management.
For photographers already covering events and portrait sessions, Snapped4U is an easy add-on to earn more from your work. The $10 setup cost is minimal, and you can start earning immediately.
Overall, I highly recommend Snapped4U for any photographer looking to sell their event, portrait, sports, or other candid photos directly to clients. It has become an invaluable part of my photography business.
FAQ
What photo types can you sell on Snapped4U?
Snapped4U is designed for event, portrait, sports, and other candid photos. It does not work for landscape, architectural, stock, or commercial photography.
How much does it cost to set up a Snapped4U account?
There is a one-time $10 fee to create your Snapped4U account. This gives you access for 2 years before requiring any sales.
What commissions does Snapped4U charge?
Snapped4U takes a 10% commission from US-based photographers and 12% internationally. The minimum per-sale commission is $0.50 (US) or $0.60 (international).
How do you get paid by Snapped4U?
Accounts are paid out monthly via PayPal once the balance exceeds $50. There is no need to request payouts.
Can you sell prints and digital downloads?
Yes, you can offer both prints (fulfilled by Snapped4U) and digital downloads for each photo. You set the pricing for both options.
Do you retain copyright ownership?
Yes, you maintain full copyright ownership over your photos when selling through Snapped4U. They are licensed for client use only.